‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ a Winner. So far, the buzz is very good.

Here’s the out-of-left-field element that may determine success: the Jacko factor. Since Willy Wonka is a recluse and he hangs around with kids, a decision was made (by Depp? by Burton?) to add an aura of Michael Jackson to Willy Wonka. I didn’t believe that at first, and even took a commenter below to task about that. Then Chuck Dixon mentioned the same thing on Dixonverse:

I find the movie’s correlations with the recent Michael Jackson shenanigans the most disturbing. A skinny, pasty faced guy dressed all in black wants to take a bunch of kids to his wonderful house filled with childish temptations while their parents look on with expections of rewards and riches.

Plus, Burton’s regard for audience sensibilities is nil.

And now the same is noted by Fox 411:

Johnny Depp, who’s a Burton repertory player, portrays chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka like he’s Michael Jackson. Sometimes the Jacko factor is a little too obvious, but Depp has more depth than Jackson.