This film is noticeably better than the 2005 version, though I still believe it would be more captivating as an animated feature. When I first saw the 2005 movie starring Johnny Depp, I wasn’t satisfied; it seemed to work better in my mind as a cartoon rather than a live-action film with so much CGI. I hadn't been familiar with this one before, didn’t know Roald Dahl’s original book, and only realized that while writing about the earlier movie, deciding then that I would eventually watch it again. I watched this film yesterday, and comparing the two productions was unavoidable. I continue to feel an animated adaptation would be more interesting, but I do acknowledge that this production possesses a greater charm than the 2005 version, which felt overstuffed with CGI. Everything feels more realistic and believable here; magic seems something you could actually believe in. I understand why a chocolate factory might appeal to children—I used to live near one, and just the smell on the street was incredible. This film offers us a display of light, color, and joy, transforming that magical place into something convincing, somewhere we’d briefly want to visit. The cinematography, visual effects, and the design of the sets and costumes all contribute significantly to this achievement, and everyone involved deserves praise. There's an odd psychedelic quality present, but it’s subtle enough not to detract from the experience. The film remains true to Dahl’s story, so the plot is unchanged: Charlie, a kind and genuine boy, the mysterious factory that no one understands, and the way it operates without workers, Willie Wonka's quirks, the Oompa Loompas’ unsettling songs, children with various flaws and stubbornness, and parents who are overly condescending. The acting ultimately makes all the difference: Gene Wilder portrays a more affectionate and gentle version of Wonka, less focused on his eccentricities, resulting in a memorable and iconic performance that significantly impacted his career. Peter Ostrum is perfectly convincing as Charlie, and Jack Albertson also delivers a strong performance. There’s really only one issue with this film, at least from my perspective: I can't connect with the Oompa Loompas. Beyond the unsettling resemblance to slave labor—they were supposedly rescued from their homeland to prevent their extinction and agreed to work for their benefactor out of gratitude—they are irritating with their songs and have a very strange appearance.

Source on TMDB