Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)

 

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - 2005

Coming up next we have 2005's "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory", a remake of a classic film.  This version is a bit weirder and explores a bit of Willy Wonka's backstory.

The film's cast includes Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee, AnnaSophia Robb, Eileen Essell, and Geoffrey Holder.

Famed and reclusive chocolatier Willy Wonka has placed five Golden Tickets within his candy.  He sends them out all over the world and waits.

He also sends out a message stating that whoever finds the Golden Ticket should come to his factory for a personal tour and the chance to win a prize beyond their wildest imaginings.  Everyone clamors for the coveted Golden Tickets.  Wonka has shut his doors to the public and nobody knows what lies behind the factory gates.  It's their chance to see what's going on.

One by one, the first four tickets are discovered.  It seems people are so desperate to own one that there's even a forgery, which is quickly disqualified.  Only one elusive ticket remains.

The last Golden Ticket is discovered by Charlie Bucket, who comes from a very poor family.

He takes the ticket to his parents.  It's decided that his Grandpa Joe will accompany him, as he used to work for Mr. Wonka before the chocolate factory closed its doors to outsiders.

The big day arrives and the ticket winners and their chosen accompanying adult are treated to an opening spectacle that is horrifyingly creepy.

Then they meet Mr. Wonka, himself, who also seems to be a touch creepy.

Mr. Wonka takes them all inside and invites them to enjoy the wonders of his chocolate factory.

Of course, we know what happens during the course of the factory tour.  Four of the children are disqualified from the winning prize because of their greedy natures.

Naturally, this leaves Charlie.  Mr. Wonka informs him that he wins the entire factory.  Charlie is overjoyed.

However, before Charlie will accept the prize, he insists that Mr. Wonka patch things up with his long-estranged father.  Through some backstory, we learn that Wonka has a very difficult relationship with his candy-hating dad.

After patching things up with his father, Mr. Wonka moves Charlie and his family into the factory.  There, Charlie and Wonka work on some new ideas for candy.  Charlie is thrilled to have an outlet for his creativity, and Wonka has found himself a member of the Bucket family.

As a side-note, these Oompa Loompas are some of the weirdest characters I've ever seen!

Cast rundown:

   Johnny Depp..................................Willy Wonka

   Freddie Highmore...........................Charlie Bucket

   David Kelly.....................................Grandpa Joe

   Helena Bonham Carter.....................Mrs. Bucket

   Noah Taylor....................................Mr. Bucket

   Missi Pyle.......................................Mrs. Beauregarde

   James Fox......................................Mr. Salt

   Deep Roy........................................Oompa Loompa

   Christopher Lee...............................Dr. Wilbur Wonka

   AnnaSophia Robb............................Violet Beauregarde

   Eileen Essell...................................Grandma Josephine

   Geoffrey Holder...............................Narrator (voice only)

And that's it for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.  Interestingly, the book sequel "Charlie And The Great Glass Elevator" has never been made into a film.  After viewing the original film in the 1970s, author Roald Dahl expressed his disappointment with the final outcome and refused to grant the film rights.  Tim Burton, the director of this film, has expressed interest in developing a film based on the sequel.

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