By now, practically everyone realizes that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the new cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, will appear on movie screens in less than a month. Well, director Tim Burton and everyone else responsible for this new film are confronting an immense challenge. Their project will inevitably be compared to the 1971 version Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The earlier version is such a remarkable movie, it's difficult, if not impossible, to imagine how it could be surpassed.

The story is as familiar to people as the story for The Wizard of Oz. But for those reading who don’t know the scenario, I must warn you I will reveal spoilers. Confectioner extraordinaire Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) plants golden tickets in five Wonka candy bars. Those who find the tickets will be given a personal tour of Wonka's secluded candy factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. The five eventual winners are Augustus Gloop (Michael Bollner), an obese, gourmandizing boy, Veruca Salt (Julie Dawn Cole), a spoiled brat, Violet Beauregarde (Denise Nickerson), an obnoxious gum-chewer, Mike Teevee (Paris Themmen), a churlish television addict, and Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), an impoverished but good hearted boy. Each child is allowed to bring one adult to the factory. Wonka warns all of the winners to obey the rules. But all the naughty children misbehave, with dire consequences for them. Eventually, only Charlie remains in the picture. Unbeknownst to the boy, he must endure an excruciating test to prove his honesty. Since Willy Wonka is essentially an updated fairy tale, Charlie achieves more than he ever expected- he inherits the candy factory.

In my opinion, this film is superior to the original book. For starters, the screenplay by Dahl and David Seltzer adds considerable suspense to Charlie’s quest for a lifetime supply of chocolate, eternal bliss for most children. At one point in the film it seems that the boy's dream won't be realized because a tycoon in Paraguay has allegedly won the last Golden Ticket. (In an incisive satirical touch, the tycoon’s picture is that of Nazi leader Martin Bormann, whose outcome at the time of the film’s release was unknown. Shortly after Willy Wonka came out, Bormann's 1945 suicide was confirmed.) The thrill of experiencing the impoverished Charlie finding the last Golden Ticket against all odds is thus enhanced with the added satisfaction of experiencing the despicable tycoon’s comeuppance when his “find” is exposed by the press as a fraud.

Missing from the book is the intense climax where Charlie undergoes his final ordeal. Wonka has harshly dismissed Charlie and his beloved Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) without any chocolate because they disobeyed an order. An embittered Grandpa Joe suggests to his grandson that they sell a new formula the confectioner had earlier given them to a rival of Wonka's. But honest Charlie gives the formula back to Wonka. Touched by the boy's selflessness, Wonka immediately warms toward him, begging for forgiveness and assuring both Charlie and Grandpa Joe that they will be handsomely rewarded. What is effective about this scene is not only that Charlie's virtuousness has been rewarded but that it has caused Wonka to drop the cold, sardonic manner he has employed throughout most of the film and reveal a kind heart.

This scene also suggests that Charlie has gained more than a lifetime supply of chocolate. Henry Blinder points out in an essay in Cult Movies, Volume 2, "The story becomes a boy's search for his father's-surrogate Willy Wonka's-approval...Throughout the film, we and Charlie are constantly trying to break through the barrier that separates a boy from the most important man in his life." Charlie's father was alive in the book, but this character contributed little to the story and has been wisely eliminated from the screenplay. As a result, the happy ending where Wonka tells Charlie he will inherit the factory is far more moving than in the book. In the story, Charlie merely acquires material wealth. In the film, the boy wins a surrogate father.

Reviewers on epinions and elsewhere have lauded Gene Wilder's performance and I will add to the praise. As he guides everyone throughout the factory, he radiates both an elfin charm and a devilish intensity. His rush of tenderness in the climax is sudden but it is a tribute to Wilder's acting skills that he is completely convincing. Other performances are generally good. Particularly standing out are Jack Albertson as the kindly Grandpa Joe and Roy Kinnear as Veruca's overindulgent and spineless father.

The songs are generally good with Wilder's rendition of "Pure Imagination" a standout. The one exception is "Cheer Up Charlie," sung by Charlie's mother (Diana Sowle). This utterly banal song grinds the movie to a temporary halt.

I highly recommend this film to most people. However, very small children may be frightened by some parts. At one point, Wonka takes his visitors on a surreal boat ride and frightening images like the decapitation of a chicken flash before them. The bad children undergo hideous experiences that, although they are only temporary, may also scare the little ones. The climactic scene where Wonka suddenly verbally lashes at Charlie and Grandpa Joe may also be too harsh for some tykes.

But practically all fine films, even those for the family, have intense moments. Otherwise, they would lose their dramatic impact. In the case of family films, the happy endings wouldn't be so moving. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one such film you will never outgrow.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8