Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Breakdown

A Screenwriter's Observations and Analysis of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Jack West

Sep 07, 2025

SPOILERS AHEAD

=Opening credits start with a classical-type soundtrack (very Warner Brother’s/Tim Burton-esque)

==There are also various shots with the snow before the camera moves into a factory—a chocolate factory

=The camera moves all over the place to show the chocolate production

==Very fast-paced to start with the soundtrack also being fast paced

=Golden Tickets were placed on a few chocolate bars

==The production is very convoluted and takes up the entirety of the opening credits scene

+++This is actually a solid way to get the audience int the story since movement always bodes well

=Narration….hmm….

==Idk how to feel about it since what the narrator said could’ve been explained through the film-making

===Though…I guess it is to fill in the blanks for the target audience, I guess??? Idk

-It’s a bit weird how the first flashback of one of Charlie’s grandparents took place twenty years ago, yet they didn’t find a younger actor

+The set designs are immaculate so far

=(Forgive my current malnutrition, but) it’s hard to not fixate on all the chocolate right now lmao

=HOW DOES ONE BUILD A CHOCOLATE PALACE IN INDIA???

=These sets of stories told by Charlie’s grandfather are interesting, but they show the prestige of Willie Wonka

=Charlie’s curiosity and adventure shows in his dialogue

-Idk about this writing so far—it feels a little…clumsy

+One thing that is interesting is the differences between Charlie’s grandparents

-This narration feels gratuitous

—It honestly takes away from the mystique and intrigue of the following shot of delivery bikers putting up signs

+++I do like Willie Wonka’s voice being used to read the sign

-I don’t care for that scene sequencing of showing all the cities given how abruptly it ends and gets to the next scene

—Yeah…this part from laying out the high stakes of the five golden tickets to revealing the first two winners was super rushed

=Charlie is a real saint

=Hard to find things to talk about right now with how unnoticeable and plain everything is

=Violet Beauregard and Ms. Beauregard’s actresses are a little wooden (in fact, most of the acting is a little wooden save for Charlie and his family)

+Grandpa George is something lmfao

=Charlie’s father losing his job is a major echo to where the economy is as of 2025

=4/5 Golden Tickets have been found by now

+I will say that all the characters have distinguishable and compelling character traits

++They do a good job of showing Grandpa Joe’s desperation of wanting to see the inside of Willie Wonka’s factory again

=Uh oh…the final ticket was found in Russia as Charlie was staring up at the factory

=How interesting and convenient that Charlie starts walking a direction and stumbles upon a bill (would it be ten pounds? forgive me, I’m American)

=The first time they show without telling is when they convey that the kid from Russia forged the ticket

==HYPE!!! Charlie found the ticket

===You can’t help but be happy for Charlie and his whole family since all the other winners are…spoiled (and even arrogant)

-Yeah, the editing is pretty ham-fisted

==Charlie being willing to sell the ticket shows his values (very endearing values)

===What’s interesting about this is the poor families are usually the ones with the most toxicity (at least in my experience), yet there’s nothing but care amongst Charlie’s family even when there’s no longer regular income

-When this film moves fast, it moves really fast, but when it moves slow…it moves really slow

-So. many. shots…

=Willie Wonka’s little introductory show even rubs the characters the wrong the wrong way lmao

++Good expression acting

=Willie Wonka has this strange mystique about him

-A lot of the shots are REALLY not necessary…

=All these kids coming upon Mr. Wonka set the precedent (minus Charlie and Mike)

=Willie has trouble saying the word “parents” — “dad” even seems to strike some nerve

+That bit with Veruca and Mike’s fathers talking with each other, Augustus talking to Charlie, and Veruca and Violet befriending each other was kinda funny (at least the first part “I’m sorry, I don’t speak American”)

+The set of the chocolate production room is pretty fantastic

++A great mix of colors

=Willie Wonka certainly is intriguing — idk if others would find him so, but his underlying egoism makes me intrigued

-A lot of the shots feel forced

-The writing is very strange with some of the choices of scenes

-These flashback sequences honestly make the film clunky

++This Oompa Loompa flashback does explain the storyline well

=Augustus’ greed does him in

==I love how everyone—outside of his mother—is so indifferent and observant lmfao

=The concept of the Oompa Loompa musical number about Augustus being greedy is corny, but it’s well-executed to the point where it makes for a cinematic moment

—It’s also very strange how Augustus’ mother’s reaction is very…underwhelming—like, she was freaking out, but not really freaking out? Like, what in the hell?

—-I think the acting is already not that great

+Johnny Depp (Willie Wonka) is a funny one idc lmfao

==Willie Wonka has some underlying scars—you can feel it

-Ugh…TOO MANY SHOTS

—The constant cutting from shot to shot makes this film clunky

>>>>>>>Usually, constant cutting provides a dynamic visual experience, but it makes the film clunky

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>to be fair, without all the shots, the film would be slow, so…~shrugs~

+They do a solid job of conveying Mr. Wonka’s childhood trauma

—The narration continues to be unnecessary

-Ooh, that one zoom out after Willie Wonka was brought back to Earth was not good—it was super forced

=I suppose the mix of shots for the boat scene was to show tension, but what makes tension necessary at this point?