CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

The first adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, was released in 1971 and was renamed 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory'. Gene Wilder played the title character who was a chocolate tier and had his own factory. The film's main focus, however, was a young boy named Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) who is poor but wins one of five tickets to visit the famous factory. This version was good but it wasn't an accurate adaptation of the book it was based on.

In 2005, however, director Tim Burton remade it with Johnny Depp (who else?) playing Wonka and, in my opinion, it's better than the 1971 version. It's faithful to Dahl's book and is entertaining throughout. The performances are better. Depp is unrecognisable in his pale make-up and gives a funny yet sympathetic performance as Wonka. Throughout the factory tour, he has flashbacks to his childhood and we find out that his father (Christopher Lee) was a dentist and banned him from eating chocolate. This gives him more background than Wilder's version of the character. 

In this remake, Charlie is played by Freddie Highmore who got the part after Depp recommended him for the part after they worked together in Finding Neverland. I enjoyed Highmore's performance as he is more sympathetic. However, we can see that he is thankful for what he has which is a loving family that includes his mother (Helena Bonham Carter), father (Noah Taylor) and Grandpa Joe (David Kelly). We know how much he would love to go the chocolate factory as he looks out of his window longingly at it. Fortunately, he wins one of the five tickets to visit the factory and this is where his adventure begins.

The other four child actors give strong performances despite playing one dimensional characters. These include: Philip Wiegratz as Augustus Gloop, an overweight boy who is addicted to chocolate, especially Wonka bars; Julia Winter as Veruca Salt, a brat who is spoilt by her rich parents and won her ticket after his father forced his workers to unwrap thousands of bars to find a ticket; AnnaSophia Robb as Violet Beauregarde, a competitive girl who is constantly chewing gum and Jordan Fry as Mike Teavee, a boy who actually hates chocolate but won by checking the manufacturer dates. They all come off as unlikable characters but, fortunately, like in Dahl's book, they get what's coming to them.

The 1971 film was also classed as a musical for the many original song it featured. The only memorable songs from that film are the ones that the Oompa Loompas sing after a character's demise as they were catchy. This film doesn't feature as many songs but they're all sung by the Oompa Loompas who are all portrayed by Deep Roy, thanks to CGI. In my opinion, these songs are better as they're all different, instead of just singing 'Oompa Loompa, doopety dee' several times.

Many people will disagree with me for favouring the 2005 version and that's fine. I can understand why people enjoy the 1971 version but, for me personally, I've always loved the former version ever since I watched it in cinema at the age of 8. It was my favourite film at that age and, even now, over a decade later, it's still one of my favourites. It's funny, entertaining and is a better adaptation of Dahl's book.

8/10

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Based on Katherine Paterson's novel of the same name, Bridge To Terabithia is not only one of the best fantasy films, it also tells a meaningful story. 

Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is a lonely yet creative boy. At school, he is bullied by other students in his class and his home life isn't much better either. His father (Robert Patrick) forces him to do chores. However, his life changes when he meets the imaginative Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb). The two instantly become friends and, whilst out in the woods, they create a new world known as 'Terabithia'. 

When I first watched this film at the age of 10, I believed I was in Terabithia with Jess and Leslie. This was due to the CGI that was used. Both Jess and Leslie are very imaginative so it wasn't hard for them to come up with their world and create all the creatures living in it. Tree-houses become fortresses, trees become giant trolls, squirrels become vicious man-eaters and that's just some of the mythical creatures we see in this film. 

Every actor involved in this film gives strong performances, especially Hutcherson and Robb. Many children (and maybe adults) will feel empathetic towards Hutcherson's character. In the beginning of the film, we see him struggling. This is why we're happy when Robb's character walks into his life. Robb gives an energetic performance as Leslie. She's bubbly and is the extrovert to Jesse's introvert. 

If you're a parent, you might want to hesitate before showing this film to young children as, although the majority of the film is fun, the final fifteen minutes can be emotional. When I first watched this as a child, I had no idea what was going to happen and the ending had me in tears. 

One of this film's main intentions was to pull at its audience's heartstrings and it succeeds. A lot of people will be able to relate to one or more of the characters and their situations. I can definitely relate to Jesse and feeling lonely and isolated at one point in my life.

A beautiful film that tells a meaningful story with strong performances from the two leads.

8/10

SOUL SURFER REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

When people think of shark-attack films, they think of Steven Spielberg's iconic Jaws. When I think of shark-attack films, I think of Soul Surfer. While Jaws is an exciting thriller, Soul Surfer is a powerful drama, yet it's one of the most underrated films.

13-year-old Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is a surfer who was born to be in the water. She has competed and won several times. It's her passion. Unfortunately, after she loses her arm in a shark attack, Bethany becomes worried she'll never be able to surf again. Throughout the film, she must learn how to live with only one arm and, eventually, how to surf. 

The film has a strong opening. By showing us clips of the real Bethany as a child playing in the sea, we see how much she loves swimming. We then see her over a decade later becoming a champion of surfing and winning a trophy. In Robb's solid performance, we see how happy she is. Unfortunately, things take a dramatic turn when Bethany loses her arm in a shark attack. The majority of the film is spent with her learning to live with one arm. At first, Bethany doubts she'll be able to surf again after trying with a prosthetic arm but with encouragement from her friends and family, she overcomes her trauma and becomes one of the most talented surfers in Hawaii. 

This film has everything a drama should be. The story is compelling and has great performances from everyone involved, especially Robb. Since appearing in children films such as Bridge To Terabithia and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, she has become a really talented performer. I am yet to see her in a bad film. She is perfect as Bethany and gives a moving performance. 

This is one of my favourite drama films to watch because it's uplifting. If you are a fan of dramas, I'd definitely recommend this film.

8/10