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A magical fantasy family movie that will capture your imagination. Director Mel Stuart’s family fantasy film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) is a timeless classic as it is always delightful at all ages. Stuart’s craftsmanship is undeniable with clever shots of candy, faces, and eyes that convey a sense of wonder and expression. Willy Wonka is a hilarious satire on the depravity society undergoes for social acceptance and financial freedom. This film takes on class struggle, British education, media coverage, shoddy journalism, excessive capitalism, corrupt business practices, and above all, bad parenting. You will laugh at something new every year you go back and watch Willy Wonka. There is even a few horror elements as these children and their chosen immediate family members undergo a haunted house disguised as a candy themed fun house. The children are competing for a lifetime supply of chocolate, so they are whittled down to one as they disappear. The boat sequence with spliced in edits of gruesome or creepy imagery is meant to unnerve you and scarred an entire generation of kids that watched Willy Wonka. Facing disappointment and defeat is another interesting lesson Willy Wonka teaches young Charlie, but thankfully he is such a sympathetic and selfless character he wins by virtue of his decency. Charlie has only ever cared for others and desired something of his own, thus Wonka finds him worthy to inherit his magnificent chocolate factory. The family drama is heartwarming as we follow the likable lead from a desolate environment of abject poverty into a sustainable future of happiness and success. Charlie Bucket is wonderfully played by Peter Ostrum, who is the most pathetic and destitute Charlie Bucket imaginable. His misfortune is all brought on him by his low birth, but the reason you empathize and sympathize with him is that he’e righteous good, selfless care, and random luck personified. Ostrum captures a childlike wonder of the impossible and magic that enthralls you to the end of his sweet story. Likewise, Gene Wilder steals the show as the eccentric and entertaining candy inventor Willy Wonka! Wilder carries himself with a confident, likable grandeur and a charming facade for Willy Wonka to hypnotize you with constant wonders, misdirection, and advice. Wilder’s singing during Willy Wonka’s signature song “Pure Imagination” is iconic and lovely. His character clearly loathes the bad kids and desperately wants to find a pearl among the swines. Wilder’s sly smile and quirky persona make for an unforgettable Willy Wonka like no other could ever replicate. Wilder’s dramatic performance in Wonka’s half office is gripping, scary, heartwarming, and life changing as he goes through so many emotions in the span of a few seconds. Gene Wilder was a gifted actor able to captivate you with his cunning dramatic skill and delight you with rousing charismatic comedy. Wilder is funny giving cruel commentary as children are taken away by his wondrous little workers the Oompa Loompas. These little people are delightful with their luminescent green hair, dyed orange skin, white overalls, and goofy dances. I adore their parable songs that teach each lesson to the audience after each bad egg among the cast’s batch gets theirs. They teach excellent lessons warning against indulging greed, consuming gluttony, being rude, watching too much television, and spoiling your children. Jack Albertson is fantastic as the morally curious Grandpa Joe character, who wants the best for his grandson Charlie. I really like Charlie’s sad mother Diana Sowle, who is just trying to give Charlie a decent life through her clothes washing job. Furthermore, I like how Wonka’s mystique is established early, so that you are curious about this hidden candy man shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Especially as you realize quickly, Wonka just wants to punish the wicked children for their bad morals, while rewarding the innocent and kindly chosen child. A sweet kid could surely be the only winner of a candy factory for Willy Wonka. As for the bad children, the child cast is filled with apt casting of the most reprehensible and annoying deviants adolescence has ever conceived of on film. Julie Dawn Cole is the monstrous spoiled rich girl Veruca Salt. Her screaming, whining, and complaining is hilarious and fits her character perfectly. She is a great singer during her number in the golden goose room. Denise Nickerson is excellent as the constantly chewing Violet Beauregarde. She is annoying in her overly confident persona, which is perfect for this insistent child horror. Paris Themmen is crazy obnoxious as the know-it-all Mike Teavee, who worships the entertainment box too much. Michael Bollner plays the rotund glutton Augustus Gloop with a dour hunger for all sweets. For me, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory will always remain a timeless classic for the cinema world that enchants with a vision of the world that can progress.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
One of my childhood favorites, passed the love for this movie on to my kids.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great classic, and the book provides some great information.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Blu-Ray version of this movie has extremely good picture and sound quality. There wasn't a single flaw throughout the entire movie and also the extras. I would recommend this movie to anyone who has a Blu-Ray player. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
It´s a wonderful product of undeniable value! One issue to be on the shelf of any collector.I find myself very pleased to acquire it, and recommend it to all who are interested.