Plot: What’s it about?
Before I get into all of the hoopla about there not being a widescreen version of this film on this new “Special Edition”, let me tell you the story of Willy Wonka. It’s not hard to associate things with Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory when you hear such things as “Umpa, umpa, umpadee oom…” (There’s probably a spelling error in there), but one thing that this campy movie did do was make our imaginations run wild. The movie was a little before my time, but I can vividly remember seeing it and having it make a lasting impression on me. I mean, how many movies have people drinking cola and flying up to the ceiling, girls turning into giant blueberries and people getting sucked into the undertoe of a chocolate river? Not many that I can think of…Based on Roald Dahl’s book of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, this is the movie adaptation of his work of art. It goes a bit like this…
Wonka brand products have been the leading seller for some time. Their candy bars are favorites among kids and almost everything with the Wonka name means that it’s good to eat. But Wonka (Gene Wilder) has started a promotion. Wrapped inside five of the Wonka bars are five “Golden Tickets”. A golden ticket gets you and a loved one inside the Wonka plant for a tour by the man himself. Naturally, there is a high demand for such a thing and the story concentrates on how five kids get their tickets and what happens to them inside the factory. The kids couldn’t be more diverse, one is a spoiled brat who gets her ticket by literally buying all the bars she can and hires a group of people to unwrap chocolate bars until they uncover a golden ticket. But the story really revolves around Charlie. Charlie is the boy who we like. He’s nice, generous and caring. So we all naturally root for him when he uncovers the last golden ticket. The other kids have all received their tickets, so it’s off to the factory they go.
The rest of the movie deals with the kids and their “guests” as they tour the factory, encountering “treasures” which actually masquerade as “dangers” and what is it that Wonka is actually up to? Why would he give such a tour after all of this time? Is he seeking a replacement for the CEO of Wonkaville? That’s part of the fun of watching Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory. While the movie is dated physically, it’s been a classic for years and will most likely be a classic for years to come. We grew up on this movie and so will other kids. It is a shame, though, that this new “Special Edition” didn’t come with a widescreen version of the film when it’s predecessor did. More on that later, though…I can say, without a doubt, that if you haven’t treated yourself to a viewing of this movie, then by all means, rent or buy the previous version and watch the thing in widescreen. Why, oh why, would you want to rid yourself of the gorgeous color and excitement that is going on in Wonkaville?
Video: How does it look?
Ok, here it is…the first version of Willy Wonka was a pan and scan version and a widescreen version was included on the disc as well. This new version was supposed to have a pan and scan version and a new anamorphic transfer to boot. It doesn’t. As part of Warner’s “Family Entertainment” line (just look at Bugs Bunny emerging from the Warner Brothers logo), they feel that families don’t want to watch movies in their original format. Obviously, though, they feel that families like to listen to audio commentaries. What’s so frustrating about this is that it’s not the first time it’s happened. Space Jam has been released not once, but twice without a widescreen transfer and a few others have suffered this fate as well. Even The Goonies, which was presented in an anamorphic transfer, was slated to be “chopped” but was saved because Director Richard Donner stepped in and said “No go…”. You tell ’em Richard! Anyhow, the full frame version does look good, it’s just a shame that we can’t get an anamorphic version to boot. The colors are eye-catching, jaw dropping and about every other adjective that one might use to describe the very essence of color. There is little, if any, evidence of edge enhancement and some minor artifacting is present, but you won’t notice much of it. That’s about all I’m going to say, because I’m recommending you watch the older version as opposed to this one. Hopefully Warner will hear all of our uproar and do this movie right the thrid time (which hasn’t worked for Born on the Fourth of July but did for Silence of the Lambs, so who knows…). Enjoy.
Audio: How does it sound?
If you want to hear all of the Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-De-Do’s, then there is no better way to hear it than in Dolby Digital 5.1. Yes, that’s right kids, step on up as Warner has given Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory a 5.1 soundtrack. While the range is limited on most of the movie, it does have it’s moments and what better way to sing along (four times, mind you) to the Oompa Loompa’s than in digital sound. Dialogue is a bit harsh, as it sounds broken off at times, but you get lost in the whole experience just wondering what will pop up next. A fair track, but I was still mad because the full-frame version was skewed on my TV. Oompa…
Supplements: What are the extras?
What Willy Wonka does have that the previous version didn’t is supplements. A commentary track with the “kids”, not the ones from Jurassic Park, is the highlight of the supplements. Most of the talking is done by Veruca Salt and as the kids meet their “fates” throughout the movie, we hear less and less of those others. I mean who would want to talk if they’re not on screen? Still, it’s interesting to hear the experiences and I just wish they would stop making fun of Gene Wilder’s hair. The guy is a comic genius for cryin’ out loud! Some sing along songs are also included, but if you watched the movie, then odds are that you’re already sick of the “Oompa Loompa” song, so I made my stop there brief. And Pure Imagination: The making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a featurette that tells a bit about the making of the movie. The original 1971 featurette of a behind the scenes is also included…look at those clothes! On the whole, it’s got the features and the sound, but not the widescreen transfer. Settle your family down on the couch and listen to the audio commentary and view the film in it’s full frame glory!
