Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) review

(9/10)

This classic film favorite is a unique fantasy loved by families everywhere just because this film has what it takes to be a classic. However, there are a few scenes that just don't seem to fit into place with the rest of the film.

PLOT:Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) is the mysterious and proud owner of the Wonka Candies Chocolate Factory. His chocolate has become loved by kids and families everywhere, seeming to be magic in a wrapper. One day, Mr. Wonka announces that he's holding a contest for five lucky people to get a tour of the factory. However, the only way to get into the factory is by winning one of five golden tickets randomly placed inside any of millions of Wonka bars. One specific, good-spirited child named Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) has his eyes on one. His family is terribly poor and they barely have enough to keep going. However, Charlie keeps on pressing. As golden tickets are being found around the globe, Charlie keeps trying. Will Charlie pick up a ticket? If he does, will he be able to get past the raving wackiness of Mr. Wonka himself. It's a great plot executed brilliantly.



ACTING:The acting in this film is very good. Gene Wilder plays an excellent part as the eccentric and sarcastic factory owner, Willy Wonka. He played the role in a very entertaining and unique way. One good thing about this film is that the child actors aren't half bad either. They actually match their roles very well, especially good-natured Charlie Bucket, played by Peter Ostrum. The other shiners would be Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe, Julie Dawn Cole as Veruca Salt, Roy Kinnear as Mr. Salt, Denise Nickerson as Violet Beauregarde, Leonard Stone as Mr. Beauregarde, Paris Themmen as Mike Teevee, Dodo Denney as Mrs. Teevee, Diana Sowle as Mrs. Bucket, and Gunter Meisner as Otto Slugworth.

SCORE:The score in this film is very uplifting and catchy. The songs in here are very inspired and fun, from the touching ballad of "Pure Imagination" to the well-known tune of the "Oompa Loompa" songs. The soundtrack was just very fun.

EFFECTS:The effects in this film are very fun and well done. The visual effects used for most of the technology in the factory were dated, but still very cool. The make-up effects are also pretty memorable.



OTHER CONTENT:This film has a lot of aspects to it that make up a great film. The musical numbers are fun and catchy, the acting and mood for most of the film is light and uplifting, the comedy behind Mr. Wonka and the situations is still pretty funny today, and the fantasy behind it is still pretty wonderful. However, there were a few scenes in the film that just didn't fit in with the rest. For example, the scene with the paddle boat on the chocolate river. A lot of creepy stuff was going on at that time and could scare some younger audiences and even creep out some older audiences. I love the scene, but compared to the rest of the film, it just doesn't fit in, and it almost turns the film into a cult classic kind of thing. Aside from the couple abrupt tonal shifts, the film was pretty awesome.

OVERALL,an awesome fantasy film with a brilliantly-done plot, very good acting, fun and catchy score, cool and memorable effects, fun musical numbers, uplifting moods, funny moments, and wonderful fantasy, but there are a few odd moments that just don't seem to fit in with the film.