Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka!

The verdict is in: Burton's interpretation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a winner. Ponzi disagrees. I felt this film was much more true to Dahl's original story, and infinitely more complete (with backstory and epilogue). Since I'm a huge Elfman fan, I really appreciated the updated score / Oompa Loompa songs. I'm not convinced that Depp was the better Wonka, however - Gene Wilder nailed that character with a much more adorable madness. Sadly, no Vermicious Knids or Snozzberries were to be found this time around - but it's much less campy, a lot more dark, and overall a much better movie. If Roald Dahl were still alive, I'd expect much more projects to come from he and the Burton / Elfman duo. They were all cut from the same cloth, it seems. I can't wait for this one to come out on high definition DVD. All we need now is a new Family Guy episode. My number one complaint: not being able to eat a Wonka bar during the show. Sure, they had plenty in stock - but they're hydrogenated. There's always the sequel!