A World of Pure Imagination

SPOILER WARNING: The following text contains information about the movie Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

We're talking about Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, of course. The song "Pure Imagination" is on the soundtrack of the first movie based on the Roald Dahl classic, Willy Wonka. Those words also describe the world that director Tim Burton has created for the screen. The lighting, the sets, the direction... are pure Burton touches. Slightly gothic, slightly dark and always with a wicked sense of humor.

The Story:
Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka, the genius behind Wonka candy. For years, people have wondered what goes on behind the gates of the Wonka factory. Then Willy Wonka announces that he will allow five people who can find golden tickets hidden in Wonka candy bars into his factory. One of the five will then get to win a prize beyond his imagination. Charlie Bucket is from a very, very, very poor family. So poor in fact that he only gets one chocolate bar a year for his birthday. Will he find a golden ticket in his chocolate bar this year?

As always, Johnny Depp turns in a fine performance as the very eccentric Willy Wonka which was played by Gene Wilder in the first movie. He is almost childlike in some scenes as Willy tries to share his wondrous world with the children who have come to the factory. Freddie Highmore plays the Charlie, and he holds his own against his experienced co-stars. Seein Christopher Lee play Wilbur Wonka, Willy's dad is a bonus for any cinemaphile.

Trivia:
Tim Burton also directed Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow and The Corpse Bride.

Freddie Highmore also co-starred with Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland.