Tim Burton and Johnny Depp might not have matched the greatness of the Gene Wilder original, but it’s still a commendable remake of the Roald Dahl-based classic. Released in 2005, it follows a downtrodden boy (Freddie Highmore), who along with a group of spoiled kids wins a tour of the reclusive Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory. Along the way kids who do not follow the rules are dispatched in inventive — and often sadistic — ways. Depp is a bit more cartoonish and over-the-top as Wonka than was Wilder, who perfectly played the character with a subtle contempt for humanity. That said, this version is much more appealing to a modern audience and Burton’s updated vision looks incredible on Blu-ray.
Video: 1080p 1.85:1; Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1; Special Features: In-Movie Experience with Tim Burton; commentary with Burton; Dolby TrueHD music-only track; “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Chocolate Dreams,” “Different Faces, Different Flavors,” “Designer Chocolate,” “Under the Wrapper,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds,” “Becoming Oompa-Loompa,” “Attack of the Squirrels,” “Fantastic Mr. Dahl: A Look into the Life of Roald Dahl,” 2 pre-visualizations (“Augustus Gloop dance” and “Mike Teavee dance”), European club reel, theatrical trailer
