6/10
A mixed bag
7 December 2023
In a lot of ways, this is way better than the 1971 version and in a lot of other ways, this is way worse. It seems that this is supposed to be closer to the original story but those seem to be a few things and the biggest differences are completely new ideas written for this movie. The film is so, so great with Burton's storytelling finesse up until they enter the Chocolate Factory. The grandpa's connection to the factory was great. Depp's Wonka is a whole different character than Wilder's but just the change wasn't the problem. Wilder made that whole movie great while Depp just like his character made the movie awkward. It was just awkward and not funny to see him trying to be too weird and awkward all the time. Willy Wonka is not particularly likeable with most of his actions, so Wilder's version was a charming guy who ultimately does the right thing, so it worked. Here, not only he's weird and unlikeable throughout the movie, but even at the point where the previous movie ended, he doesn't do the right thing. Now, the backstory given to him just didn't feel right until the end when it is used for further change in character. Even though that part was nice, it didn't feel rightly placed. Burton doubling down on the problematic aspects doesn't help too much either. The Oompa Loompas were a bit too much and all those songs were annoying as hell. However, it also had incredible visuals throughout the movie using both practical effects and CGI, the film looks beautiful in a unique way only Burton can do.
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