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I also loved Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. So I had some misgivings when I heard that Johnny Depp was going to play the role, but I appreciated his portrayal of the character at least as much.

I agree that the second film was darker, but I think that it had much more to do with Tim Burton's direction than Depp's performance. The melting dolls near the beginning were the first sign to me that this film was taking a different approach than the '70s version of the story.

I would also argue that the first film had its dark moments, too. Remember the psychedelic boat ride? The children cowered in fear while Wilder seemed to go into a trance and sang a tune which ended with a closeup of his screaming face. It unnerved me a little. In fact, the story itself has a dark quality, with the selfish and greedy children being taken out in one colorful way after another by Mr. Wonka.

That being said, I've watched both versions with children and although there were moments when I expected it would be too much for them, they didn't seem to be upset by either one.

So I think that there is room for both films and both Wonkas. I'd have a hard time having to pick a favorite between Mr. Wilder and Mr. Depp.

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