OK, I finally saw it. Here's my take on it
I was extremely skeptical about how Johnny Depp was going to portray this role. I felt that by the looks of trailers, clips, etc, that he was going way too over the top. I knew that Willy Wonka was supposed to be wacky (semi sweet and a little nutty, right?) but I felt that he should have been more controlled. I couldn't have been more wrong. Every second that Johnny Depp was on the screen, I couldn't help but smile. His attitude, even the voice was much better in the movie that in the previews. He lifted the movie to a much higher level than if he had been controlled. I loved every second that he was on the screen.
Charlie Bucket was casted almost perfectly, much better than the original. The grandparents were absolutely adorable, especially Grandma Georgina (I like grapes!). The kids were revoltingly delicious, and cast a good contrast to Charlie.
The Oompa-Loompas may have been the only thing that REALLY got to me. After the first song, I was absolutely ANNOYED by all of their songs. In fact at one point at the end, I had closed my eyes and covered my ears to block out their songs. It was just too much.
The cinematography was beautiful, the Edible Fields were stunning, the River of Chocolate Ride was fantastic, and each room was whimsically unique.
SLIGHT SPOILERS TO THE MOVIE:
I felt that the history of Willy Wonka was a wonderful addition to the movie. I really liked how the portrayed his dark childhood and I love how it played out in the end, where he finally realized the real meaning of family and spent it with the Buckets. In fact the last shot of the snowy, crooked house in the fields in the factory was heartwarming.
So, my final thought. It was a wonderful film, and would have been better without the annoying intervention of the Oompa-Loompas every 15 minutes.
**** / *****