It's sad to see that the only reviews so far on this wonderful classic are negative ones. Well, it's time to balance things out!
I personally, loved this film, yes there's only so many times you can watch it, but I still found it highly enjoyable. I do not, for even a second, believe that it's 'dated', it's anything but. Also, if a film truly is 'dated' how exactly is it the films fault?. They didn't have half as many special affects as they do today, I've never been a fan of Special Affects, such things are usually over-used when a film has absolutely nothing to offer and is quite pretentious. So, sorry to here that it's not 'the now' for you...such a shame, well, do feel free to watch Tim Burton's terrible version that seems to impress the simple-minded and easily pleased. Cheerio.
Now, as you've probably already guessed, yes, I despised Tim Burton's version, and just for the record, I LOVE some of Tim Burton's films, I even think he did the best Batman films, and I can assure you, not many people think that. Oh, and I think Johnny Depp is one of the best actors ever, he's great, but sadly, they both did not redeem that feature for me. Therefore, I believe this film should not have been remade at all. I understand why some people may not have liked this, maybe because it's slightly aimed at a younger audience or because it's about candy, and some people don't like candy?
But, people who say things such as "it's not as good as the book", are nothing but moronic idiot, and I say that politely. A book and a film are two entirely different things, and you can not compare them, sorry. The book was good to read and the film was good to watch. Read and watch; there's a big, big difference folks. But, all in all, it's all opinions, and everyone's entitled to their own. But "not as good as the book" opinions honestly do irritate me. The only thing a film should have in common to the book is that it's true to the book, because if it's not true to the book, then they should re-name the film's title. But, in this case, the film was defiantly true to the book, absolutely. And that's all there is to say about the whole 'book/film' scenario.
On the actual film itself: Gene Wilder does a fantastic job at playing Willy Wonka, he's more believable than Johnny Depp's take, and you really think he's just jumped out the book to the film. Gene Wilder played the part like he was born for it. The kids were great (although I must say, the boy who played Charlie seriously irritated me), the others were well thought out, and again believable and each had their own personality that added to the film instead of some whiny, stereotype kids who just won't shut up. The acting was superb. The visuals were great, what can I say. The whole thing just made you want be there, whether it was to eat and try all that wonderful amazingly, unusual candy or just to tell all them whiny spoilt kids to..."shut the hell up!". That candy world part, was stunning and amazing, it's like another version of paradise, a candy version of paradise, it was truly amazing. ...Unlike Burton's, of course, his candy world seemed to be a gloomy mess. It was more like entering a 15 year old teenager's mind, instead of a magical, beautiful candy world like the one in this film. The directing, well what can I say?, as far as directing goes, it was a job well done. I think this truly was the only decent film Mel Stuart directed. He should be proud of this beautiful and wonderful film. One success is enough. One is better than none. That's for sure. Great directing. Oh, and there's just one more big thing I just can't forget to mention: The Oompa Loompa's songs, my goodness were they ingenious, they were witty, funny and truthful. But...what replaced the songs in Tim Burton's version was horrible, noisy and cheesy songs. No witty, funny and truthful lyrics at all, but just ghastly songs that were easily capable of giving me a thumping headache - which they indeed did. Burton also changed the story, in which it made it just horrible. That film was just a total mess to put it shortly.
Overall, I just think the film is amazing, I really, really do. Wilder steals the show, of course. And everything else just adds to it in a brilliant way. 1+ for the acting, directing, originality and pretty much everything else. It also has a touch of psychological aspects, just great stuff I say. Although I'm giving this an 8, that's only because a fantasy film can only do so much. It can only impress so far, fantasies indeed have a limit of entertainment, but this film keeps kicking at the limit, and it may just one day break that limit, it almost did for me, and I'm sure a bunch of others too. 100% recommended to all!
8/10