Plus seeing the kids walk out in the end was indeed a downer, but I would have to imagine that in this day and age, Burton almost had to show that the kids were “alright”. Especially since some of them went out in such gruesome ways (like Violet).

Also as I sorta said before, I liked Wilder in the first flick. Both him and Depp approached the roles differently and both are successful in my mind. And I certainly didn’t think the “seems rehearsed” was some knock on the third wall, but I suppose I can see someone thinking it was.

Hey, at least we both agreed that the Oompa Loompas rocked!

-Within Wilder’s unpredictability there’s a consistency to his moral core. He also offers up nuggets of wisdom, makes jokes and sings for himself, and, in general, is a truer portrayal of one who has come out of self-imposed exile. Depp’s behavior is unpredictable, but random, surreal, and any sadness he harbors is played to comedic effect. Depp’s Wonka is a very thin portrayal and, as a character, is no better than the children who aren’t fit to inherit his life’s work.

-Original left more to the imagination (LoompaLand, you don’t see the other kids march out fine at the end).

-Oompa Loompa songs in the first movie are cautionary tales more akin to
Grimm’s stories. The new ones would be at home on MTV (though I did find them funny).

-Charlie actually earns the inheritance in the first, through an act of sacrifice and apology (which I didn’t feel was “tacked on” or dragged the movie down). In the new one…he’s just lucky and loves his family. Also, as soon as they enter the factory in the new movie, he is almost completely non-existent…isn’t that his name in the title? I saw Neverland…they totally underused his incredible acting talent.

-I can’t believe Burton couldn’t think of an interesting take on the infamous tunnel scene.

-Too many winks at the camera (“why did the OL’s know Gloomps name”, “seems rehearsed” etc.).

-Even my wife (who has never seen the original) thought this one lacked a heart and fell apart in the last 25 minutes.

Highlights IMO:
-”Don’t touch that squirrels nuts! He’ll go crazy!”
-Almost everything up to the entrance to the factory felt fresh.
-The guy who played all the Oompa Loompa’s was great and creepy (in a Robert Blake way).
-Corpse Bride trailer.:)