Willy Wonka and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Good Candy Fun!
Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s book has hit the big screen twice; the first time in 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starring Gene Wilder as the illustrious and reclusive candy maker and again in 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with Johnny Depp taking over the role of Willy Wonka. The two movies have similarities and differences and when rated on their own individual merit, each is a delightful and entertaining film.
The premise of each movie is the same. One of the world’s most beloved candy makers announces that five golden tickets will be distributed in selected confections throughout the world. The five children who find the golden tickets will be able to tour Willy Wonka’s candy factory, with one child receiving a special prize.
Things don’t look good for Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum/Freddie Highmore) who desperately wants to win but only receives a Wonka bar once a year, on his birthday. The situation worsens when four of the five tickets are quickly found by Augustus Gloop (Michael Bollner/Philip Wiegratz), Veruca Salt (Julie Cole/Julia Winter), Violet Beauregarde (Denise Nickerson/Anna Sophia Robb) and Mike Teevee (Paris Themmen/Jordan Fry). But when Charlie’s luck holds out and he finds the last golden ticket, he opts to take his Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson/David Kelly) on the adventure of a lifetime.
Willy Wonka then escorts the group of winners and their parents/guardians through the impressive candy factory where they’re introduced to chocolate waterfalls and the individuals who help to run the facility, Oompa Loompas. However, along the way, the children, one by one, fall victim to their own bad behavior. Will Charlie prevail?
I like both of these movies. Peter Ostrum and Freddie Highmore were both excellent in their individual roles as Charlie. Each actor made you feel the emotions that Charlie was experiencing from the disappointment he had before finding the golden ticket to the awe that he felt when he was in the candy factory.
In “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, I think Gene Wilder’s character has more of a mysterious edge. You’re not quite sure what he’s up to. This version of the Willy Wonka character could also be considered a bit darker especially in the way he nonchalantly tries to stop Violet from chewing the gum that tastes like a three course meal, his reactions while everyone is panicking in the boat and the confrontation with Charlie and Grandpa Joe at the end of the tour. The children, although some are a bit spoiled, are a little more likeable and the Oompa Loompas are unique, each looking and acting a little different than the others.
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” also treated us to the side story of Slugworth (Gunter Meisner) and the everlasting Gobstoppers. When we see him contact each of the golden ticket holders, we assume that he’s up to no good. As the story progresses, we then get to see how everything unravels.
In “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (which was the title of the 1964 book), Tim Burton has brought in his powerhouse trio of Johnny Depp,
The side stories of Willy Wonka as a young boy having to deal with his strict dentist father and Grandpa Joe’s history with the candy factory were interesting. I thought it added a little depth to the characters and an understanding of why Willy Wonka became the eccentric person that he is.
While some will argue that one movie is better than the other, I think “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Charlie and the Chocolate” factory are individually fun and entertaining. Both can be enjoyed by the entire family. It’s just good candy fun!