by Rebecca Miller

Created on: September 27, 2007

Roald Dahl was my favourite author as I was growing up. In fact when I heard of his death I remember crying in front of the television. He was the most wonderful storyteller and such a soft spoken and warm individual.

Of course I loved the Gene Wilder version of Willy Wonka when I was younger, who wouldn't. It was colourful, loud and amusing. It was based on a Roald Dahl book after all.

Just before the Johnny Depp version of Willy Wonka came out I saw an interview on television with Roald Dahl's daughter. She was saying how Roald would have loved this version of the film better then the older one. Originally he had not wanted Gene Wilder to play the part of Willy Wonka. He really didn't think he was the right person for the part, because he wasn't a dark enough character.

When looking at Roald's books, they are wonderfully dark and often disgusting. His characters all have such huge personality's. Remember the giants in the BFG, some of the names they were called like The Bonecruncher, The Gizzardgulper and The Fleshlumpeater. He took the darkest aspects of human nature and fantasy and turned them into the most thrilling and exciting stories.

There was no better director then Tim Burton to direct the remake of this film. Just looking at his past films, his imagination is perfect to bring such a unique story to life. Tim Burton's films are how you expect a dream to be. A little bit magical, a little bit unbalanced and a little bit scary in places too.

Just knowing that the remake of this film is how Roald Dahl really wanted it to be, I can't help but love it. Johnny Depp plays eccentricity so well, he puts a different and more believable take on the Willy Wonka that Gene Wilder played. I can't believe that Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka would have stayed alone in the chocolate factory, but I can believe that Johnny Depp's shy, socially inept Willy Wonka would.

Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka still has a place. It is a great film, but there was never anything else to compare it to. I know some people have a problem with remake's and believe that originals are always better. I think this is such a film that changes that perception.

Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka is the chocolate maker for me.

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