Plot: What’s it about?
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?
Never let it be said that consumers can’t affect the outcome of a product. When this version came out as a Special Edition, it was great. However, Warner decided not to include an anamorphic transfer, opting that families would want to watch a full-frame version instead. That may have been so, but the audiofiles of the world spoke out, and via on online petition, were able to “convince” Warner to release this version in a Widescreen format. This was also the case with another recent Warner release, Cats & Dogs. So now we not only have Willy Wonka in a great special edition form, but we have a brand new anamorphic transfer to keep everyone happy as well. And speaking of the new transfer, how does it look? Was it worth the wait and the complaining? Yes. The colors are as rich and vibrant as the full-frame edition, but with the added benefit of being anamorphic, we do get the added resolution, this naturally results in an enhanced picture. While the colors are dead on (and if any movie embodies color, it’s this one) and though we lose some of the information from the top and bottom of the screen, wider is truly better. I saw very little artifacting and only the slightest bit of edge enhancement can be noticed. Warner has answered consumer demand, but I can’t think how much money they could have saved if they just did it right the first time! Oh well, we have a 16:9 transfer, and we’re all happy!
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, nevertheless. 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. Settle your family down on the couch and listen to the audio commentary and view the film in all of it’s glory!
