Review of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) by Matt F — 26 Dec 2011

The story of a poor boy who gets a golden ticket and the chance of a lifetime to accompany a candy mogul on a tour of his legendary factory, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is decent family fare that might also seem somewhat dated and heavy-handed today, especially in light of Tim Burton's darker remake.

The caricatures of the other "naughty" children and their parents seem very flat and perhaps somewhat tame by current movie standards, but this also gives the film a sweetness that stays with you throughout.

The art direction is above-average (even if it liberally borrows from "The Wizard of Oz"), and the costumes also add to the whimsical nature of this fantastical land inside in the Wonka factory.

Finally, even though Charlie (Peter Ostrum) is written as the protagonist, it's the great Gene Wilder as Mr. Wonka that holds the film together through its many detours which range from bitingly funny (there's a great running satirical gag about the nature of news media) and cynical and creepy (those who've seen this know which "boat ride" sequence I'm referring to).

They don't all work, to be sure, but "Wonka" remains a breezy, ultimately heartwarming dose of family filmgoing forty years after its theatrical debut.