With Easter almost here at the time of this post, one thing comes to mind for many, and that is candy, and there is one candy themed musical movie that is still sweet no matter how many times I watch it. The original "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder, this classic musical about dreams, hope, golden tickets, and lots of candy of so many different types. This is one of my all time favorite movie musicals still, after plenty of rewatches throughout so many stages of my life.
The way the movie looks is so amazing, the feel of the movie makes the chocolate factory feel so special, the world is so drab and melancholy before hand. Even the songs like "The Candy Man" and "Cher Up Charlie" are more soft, and somber, as we are introduced to our lead and the world he lives in. Charlie feels like a regular kid, he loves his family but he also gets upset, and has dreams, that can ger dashed. The setting of the film is so whimsical, having childlike wonder in it, while still having and edge and trying to teach a lesson or two to the audience. The pacing of the story and the events that atmosphere matches each mood trying to be conveyed perfectly.
The writing in this movie is great, it's comedic, heartful, and inspires the creative mind. The song "Pure Imagination" has been performed alongside so many other songs from this film as timeless classics. Each one being households names for either being fun, or even sweet and somber. Each song much like the way the movie is filmed, acted, and written also fits the mood of each scene so well. This at the end of the day is a story of how doing the right thing, and living a life of integrity, not being greedy, or spoiled, will lead to something good someday. A moral seen countless times in media but still is conveyed well, watching someone achieve a dream from a position where even dreaming itself seems like a waste of time.
The world of the factory having surprise after surprise around the corner for the audience and the ones walking through it in the story, all while Willy Wonka himself has the air of someone who has actual good advice for those willing to listen. The lessons are simple yet effective each accompanied by Oompa Loompa ballads that are way to catchy while still having lessons on moderation, living life, and even raising children.
The acting from the entire cast is great, from comedic moments to even the more quiet ones. There are tons of jokes that just fly by, or a line from Willy Wonka that blurs the line between comedy and inspirational, which is great for the character. The moment you meet him, you wonder how much of him is real and how much is a show, there is always a mysterious layer of him which leads to great payoffs as the movie draws to a close, perfectly acted by Gene Wilder. Willy Wonka has a whimsy to him but also a cynical edge as well, being jaded as someone who has grown older yet still wishes to have those hints of imagination and wants to pass it on to someone who still has that pure imagination.
The songs are great in the context of the movie and even outside of it, I can listen to "Cheer Up Charlie", "I Got A Golden Ticket" and "Pure Imagination" any day, and they set the mood of either hanging on to your dreams, fulfilling your dreams, or in the case of "Pure Imagination" creativity itself. The melodies and instrumentation classic, recognizable and timeless. The lyrics are catchy and fit each song, being memorable and fitting both withing and outside the movie on their own. Each song is varied, stands on its own, and just has such range. From the children, to the adults, each song is memorable, and not one is weak or doesn't feel out of place in this movie.
This movie is just great, I saw it plenty of times as a kid, as an adult, and I will plenty of times more. This is just a great movie that still hits the same feeling as the first time I saw it when I was young, and is a great film for all ages. A movie that inspires me through its setting, music, and themes. I could listen to the original soundtrack or covers of these timeless songs, they are great to fit the mood, but also just as songs. A film that still inspires me to imagine and create, a classic now, and will always be.
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