Don't touch that squirrel's nuts!

Tim Burton did it again.

I took Mrs Ed and Hanna to see Charlie & The Chocolate Factory tonight, and I have to agree with the reviews that say it's better than Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Sure, it's the same basic story, and both movies take some liberties, but I think this one was closer to the book, and the liberties taken enhanced the story rather than simply being different(eg, Veruca Salt-Nuts Vs. Eggs).
Nonetheless, I bought a copy of the old movie on my way home...
I like both versions in their own way, the old one appeals to my sense of camp, and the new one....well, there's some camp there too but it's also darker and has some more realistic special effects, while not being overly reliant on them(barely any CG). I loved watching Violet turn into a blueberry..it was funny and creepy,and much more realistic than the light and makeup tricks of the old one.
And this glass elevator, it actually looked almost exactly as I imagined it in 2nd grade, when my teacher was reading the book to my class...and also, it made a great slapstick comedy prop.
Johnny Depp was great. I don't care about all the critics saying his Wonka seems like Jacko, I saw more Marilyn Manson than Jacko.
And Freddy Highmore was very much Charlie Bucket. He looked like a malnourished poor kid, and acted as selfless as he should.
Anyway, good stuff. I'll probably see it again soon.