Why...?

Many people will possess fond memories of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory being an essential component of their childhood due to the film's status as one of the greatest family films of all time. I will admit that as a child I did view this film a few times and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, that was the time when pretty pictures were all that mattered. This is one of the first times that I've at long last revisited a film from my youth...and hated it! People will call me a "heretic" or say that I have "bad taste" but I frankly don't care - through my eyes, this is a putrid and dull creation that completely destroys the outstanding source material they had to work with.

Author of the original book, Roald Dahl, passionately hated this film. Those rumours are entirely true: in fact he was so dissatisfied that he bluntly refused to ever watch the film in its entirety. Although Dahl actually wrote the screenplay himself, his displeasure with the film is stemmed from the massive script rewrite by David Seltzer. It's a shame that Dahl's legendary source material generated such an appalling film. I'm glad that the author never watched the entire film because it probably would have shortened his life due to severe shock. Reportedly, Dahl was once staying in a hotel when he accidentally tuned into a television airing of the movie...but changed the channel immediately when he realised he was watching his great source material being raped by filmmakers.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory contains a truly legendary story that I'm sure everyone knows. For the record, I will briefly outline the plot...if it's necessary for anyone. Willy Wonka (Wilder) is a mysterious chocolate maker whose products are the most celebrated on the market. Much to Wonka's discontent, unfaithful workers began stealing his unique recipes. Hence, Wonka's recipes that were once uniquely his were no longer one-and-only. In response, he fired all of his workers and closed the factory. After living in complete isolation for several years (during which the factory gates were closed and no-one ever caught a glimpse of Wonka), the chimneys begin producing smoke and new Wonka chocolates start hitting the market. For reasons unknown, Willy Wonka decides to hold a contest. Inside 5 chocolate bars he places a special Golden Ticket that will gain a winner entry to his chocolate factory for one day. On a specified day, the 5 lucky winners will participate in a special tour of the factory and one lucky child will receive a lifetime supply of chocolate. The race to find the Golden Tickets commences. Meanwhile, Charlie Bucket (Ostrum) is a poor boy living with his poor poverty-suffering family. He yearns for a Golden Ticket as he is obsessed with the chocolate factory. Let the predictability and clichés initiate...

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a generally appalling version of Roald Dahl's classic novel. I cannot bring myself to entirely hate this movie due to a limited number of redeeming features, but on the whole it's unfortunately a dreadful film.

Gene Wilder is an average Willy Wonka. At times he's flamboyant and funny; however the darker moments are an unfortunate pratfall that places a burden on the entertainment value. His performance is mainly very enthusiastic with a bit of warmth and a dash of eccentricity. Some moments are more solid than others. Peter Ostrum is a terrible, wimpish embodiment of Charlie Bucket. I never felt anything overwhelming from the actor. Thank God this was his only film! Jack Albertson appears to be exuberant. He was one of the best things to find in the cast. Overall, charm is lacking in many cast members.

So why is this version so dreadful? Its lavish production design is occasionally eye-popping, but feels really dull and no longer looks impressive. The atmosphere is never natural. I felt like the factory was...the inside of a factory. I thought Wonka's factory was supposed to be mind-blowing and otherworldly...unfortunately the special effects just don't hold up in this day and age. Never thought I'd say this, but give me modern visual effects in lieu of old-school effects any day when it comes to this particular story.

The Oompa Loompas look atrocious as well. Their make-up and costumes are exceedingly yucky! And of course the film is a musical that contains an immense quantity of bland musical numbers. These are long, unexciting and grow tedious extremely quickly. There are far too many songs. They may be well known, but the energy is sorely lacking. Even though I was watching the screen, nothing even really caught my attention and I grew bored very quickly. The hollow audio mix doesn't help matters. Frankly, the sound effects sound terribly artificial. So all in all, the film looks mediocre and sounds synthetic. Very little of Dahl's story can be found here, instead there are contemptible sets, cheap songs and some dreadful acting. I have no idea how some people can consider this being good quality as a musical! The musical side of this film is incredibly weak. The original story is completely butchered and hence understandable why Dahl disowned this version. There are also moments of sadism and darkness...in a children's movie?!

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory should never have been made. This is a total mess that has dated severely. Although Tim Burton's 2005 remake ended up being mildly disappointing, it is the version of choice and can safely let us forget this version ever existed.

3.6/10