It had been well over 20 years since I saw a movie this many times at the cinema at full price. I realize most kids probably wanted to be Charlie but I want(ed) to be Willy.
It's impossible to say Depp or Wilder play the character better. Wilder's portrayal was certainly mischevious and mysterious but Depp's downright naughty - almost malevolent and sadistic in a way that borders on Hannibal Lecter ... another character we somehow root for.
Like the original, this is a masterpiece. It is not a remake, however, so if whether you loved or hated the version with Gene Wilder, you still want to give this a try.
This totally redeemed Tim Burton for that Planet of the Apes piece of shit.
Last, but certainly not least, this is the latest in a recent streak of greatness for Christopher Lee. I hope that doesn't mean he's going to die soon. He's certainly a national treasure (yes, I'm claiming him for the USA).