Review of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) by Chris N — 25 May 2014

"Come with me and you'll be.

In a world of pure imagination" as we are guided through the Wonka Factory by the unpredictable Willy Wonka showing that anything is possible with some imagination. A fantastic family musically film filled with inspiration and imagination that everyone would enjoy even with the dark tone. A wonderful adaptation from Roald Dahl (personally he despise the movie)a great cast, wonderful soundtrack good storyline makes a movie worth watching.

  Willy Wonka thought off a great marketing ploy by opening his factory to the winners of the 5 golden tickets and a lifetime supply of wonka bars. Wonkamania begins everybody wanted one, as the golden tickets are found we see that the kids except Charlie won are brats. The second half is about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory hence the title name. The fineline of genius and insanity is blurred with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and his only role Peter Ostrum as Charlie the innocent kid. The movie is directed by Mel Staurt and was release back in 1971 so it is a classic and filmed in Technicolor.The entire movie most of the color were muted except the color red a few other color but mostly bright red (Charlie's sweater).

Not only the characters and the wonderful props but the original musical score brings another aspect to this magical movie. Composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley it was nominated for Best Orginal Score back in 1972. It is indeed a musical with catchy musical numbers and inspiring songs with a message behind it. Starting with the opening credit to the ending credit an instrumental of Pure Imagination sets the tone.

  There are some dark tone like the how world obsession with chocolate early on (Wonkamania)and the tunnel scene which Gene Wilder did a great performance that people on the set though he went crazy by being in the tunnel. It seems that Willy Wonka planned on getting rid of the kids throughout the film  and what really happen to the kids when they disappeared? Overall a musical about imagination and inspiration with a little bit of insanity making it worth watching many times.Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory shows a possibility of joy for a poor boy. So what happen to the boy who suddenly got everything he alway wanted? He lived happily ever after. Take the main lyrics and apply it to life. "We are the music maker and we are the dreamers of dream".