Come with me, and you’ll see, one of my faaaaavorite movies ever….
That’s right, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is the next classic I watched for the #52PickUp series. Released in 1971 (which I regrettably always mistake for 1975), Willy Wonka was an adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The film had been a staple in my brother and I’s young lives, and as a result we’ve seen it over a dozen times.
The film transcends generations and much like The Wizard of Oz, presents the perfect mix of imagination and timelessness.
One thing I didn’t like about the film was Momma Bucket’s solo, “Cheer Up, Charlie.” The song always felt out of place, killed the pacing, and made me fast-forward an otherwise “unskippable” movie.
This time watching it however, I didn’t skip any of it, because I was watching with the audio commentary from The Comedy Button.
The vignettes featuring people from around the world ignited this passion for geography as a kid, as I wanted to learn more about other countries and their people.
Where/ when did I first see it?
I honestly can’t remember when I first saw this film. It must have been on TBS or something to that effect when I was a kid. Or it may have been at my old Foster’s family’s cabinet collection of Big box plastic VHS tapes. So I’d say either way around 1993-1996.
How does it hold up?
Again, Willy Wonka is timeless. The songs hold up incredibly well (except for your stupid song, Mom Bucket), and the scenery is sublime.
Even the far outdated technology doesn’t feel out of place for some reason. It’s a great reminder of that time and is similar enough to my youth where we ravaged our parents’ pockets for our candy-fiending needs.
What did I like about it and why?
It took a childhood fantasy and twisted it into a dark film laden with corporate espionage and greed all to convey a moral theme.
The songs were top notch, and as little as I enjoy musicals, this film permeated that barrier and gave me one on which to cling… Until South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut.
Lessons Learned?
- Do NOT mess with Wonka!
- Stop eating candy, young fat Jamie! You’ll regret it
- Always be courteous; say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’
Where can you see it?
Check out Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on CanIStream.It?
-Jamie (@GuyOnAWire)
BONUS:
Some funny bits based on the movie courtesy of Robot Chicken:
Locked Out, Brainstorm, Tastable Wallpaper, Your Very Own Oompa Loompa!, Oompa Slavery, Real Ending.
GuyOnAWire 
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