This 10th Anniversary release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is merely a repackaging of the old disc with commemorative packaging so if you already own this, or even the HD-DVD, there’s no need to pick this up. Outside of that, my opinion of the film hasn’t changed: I didn’t like it then and I still don’t like it today.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
— 10th Anniversary —
(2005)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Warner Bros. | PG – 115 min. – $24.98 | March 3, 2015
 |
MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Tim Burton Writer(s): Roald Dahl (book); John August (screenplay) Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, Christopher Lee DISC INFO: Audio: English (Dolby TrueHD 5.1), English (Dolby Digital-EX 5.1), French (Dolby Digital-EX 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital-EX 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1) |
** Click Here to Purchase Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
THE MOVIE
Plot Synopsis (from back cover): What wonders await you in Willy Wonka’s factory? Sail along the Chocolate River in a pink sugar boat. Experiment with Everlasting Gobstoppers in the Inventing Room. Observe talented squirrels in the Nut Room, and travel to the Television Room via glass elevator. You’ll find a lot that’s funny, a little that’s mysterious and an adventure as sweet and satisfying as a Wonka Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight bar.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.5/5
This release comes with a glossy side-sliding slip cover. Inside is a letter from Tim Burton and a photo booklet.
In-Movie Experience – This picture-in-picture feature offers trivia and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews as the movie plays.
Audio Commentary – Director Tim Burton provides his insights into making the movie, casting and other bits of information. I may not have been a fan of the movie, Burton is an interesting speaker.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Chocolate Dreams (6:57; SD) – Discover Tim Burton’s vision for the film – plus the process of adapting the story with screenwriter John August.
Different Faces, Different Flavors (10:39; SD) – Learn about the actors who played each of the movie’s principal characters – from Willy Wonka to Augustus Gloop.
Designer Chocolate (9:36; SD) – Explore the movie’s ambitious and colorful production design.
Under the Wrapper (6:58; SD) – Discover the array of special and visual effects used to bring Wonka’s factory to life on screen.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Sweet Sounds (7:17; SD) – Learn how composer Danny Elfman created each of the Oompa-Loompa songs.
Becoming Oompa-Loompa (7:16; SD) – How did they turn one man into hundreds of Oompa-Loompas?
Attack of the Squirrels (9:49; SD) – A look at how the squirrels were trained.
Fantastic Mr. Dahl (17:42; SD) – Learn more about the life and author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Pre-Vis Augustus Gloop Dance (2:06; SD) and Pre-Vis Mike Teavee Dance (1:32; SD) offers looks at the prep work done on each sequence.
Club Reel is just additional footage, I think?
Theatrical Trailer (2:26; SD)
VIDEO – 4.5/5
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is presented with a 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer (and the old VC-1 codec). Detail levels look nice and sharp while colors are bright and brilliant throughout. Although I wish this wasn’t a re-issued disc, I’m not sure how much this could’ve been improved.
AUDIO – 4.75/5
Similarly, the disc has a robust Dolby TrueHD 5.1 as well as Dolby Digital-EX tracks which showcase Danny Elfman’s score as well as good dialogue levels and is an all around dynamic track with good and impressive depth. I will mention, as with the old Warner discs, the default track is the Dolby Digital-EX so you will to select the TrueHD version through the menu or audio options on your remote.
OVERALL – 2.75/5
Overall, this 10th Anniversary release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is merely a repackaging of the old disc with commemorative packaging so if you already own this, or even the HD-DVD, there’s no need to pick this up. Outside of that, my opinion of the film hasn’t changed: I didn’t like it then and I still don’t like it today. But who knew, Johnny Depp’s bizarre interpretation of Willy Wonka was quite normal compared to his Mad Hatter in the truly awful Alice in Wonderland.
Published: 02/25/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.