Linda Thomas: at the movies

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Rating: PG

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 6+

Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Green
Ages 13 - 17:Green
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal: Green
Fear:Green
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Green
Nudity:Green
Sex: Green

Review:
First brought to the screen in 1971 with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, this time the wonderfully gifted Johnny Depp takes on the role with Freddie Highmore playing Charlie. Eccentric, Willy Wonka never leaves his chocolate factory and no one has seen him for years. He puts five golden tickets in his Wonka chocolate bars and each child who finds one will get a tour of the chocolate factory. Charlie is a boy from a poor family. He only gets one Wonka bar a year for his birthday. However, fortune shines on Charlie and he gets a golden ticket. He brings his beloved gramps with him to tour the factory. When Willy Wonka appears in the movie, we are immersed in the world of chocolate. The factory is a fairyland of chocolate rivers, chocolate waterfalls, chocolate hills, all sorts of candy and the strange, little workers (Oompa-Loompas). The children are all mesmerized but one by one their bad qualities get the better of them. One is greedy for chocolate and falls in the river. Another is greedy period. She wants everything that she sees. Another is only interested in winning the big surprise at the end of the tour. The last one is a video game expert and he looks down on everyone else. One by one, the children eliminate themselves and learn a punitive lesson. Charlie is the boy that everyone wishes they had for a son. He loves his family more than anything and he appreciates each thing that is given to him. The re-make does a good job of using current slang, music and special effects for the factory. The Oompa-Loompas sing about each child and dance as each child does something wrong. There are quirky action situations and mild language. Children under six years of age may have trouble following the storyline and may worry about what happens to each of the children when they are taken away. Rich or poor, the role of family is shown is five unique ways. Which child do you dislike the most? Why? How does Charlie help improve Willy's life? Talk about your family and the different ways that they are important to you.