Release year: 1971

The players: Director: Mel Stuart, Writers: Roald Dahl, Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson

The plot: Five lucky children win an opportunity to explore the mysterious chocolate factory of world famous chocolatier, Willy Wonka.

Modern thoughts on a classic movie: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” has little to offer an older, modern viewer. It has probably survived this long because of the fondness many hold thanks to childhood memories, but to an unsuspecting adult, it’s barely a few steps away from torture.

The story alone is one to make the modern viewer groan in disbelief, as the film beats the lesson of being good children into the unwilling soul of its audience with a sledgehammer. Obviously Charlie is a good little boy who doesn't eat too much, chew gum, watch television, or get everything he wants, so he wins the grand prize at the end of the film.

Of course Charlie is unable to be a bad little boy under the aforementioned circumstances because his family is dirt poor, and therefore not offered the opportunity to misbehave. The story merely glosses over that part. In the end, the film gives its younger audience the false hope that the nice guy always wins and evil-doers get their just desserts, which simply isn’t true in the real, grown-up world.

Aside from the ridiculous story, the film also attacks the viewer’s senses with boring musical numbers (except the Oompa-Loompa song), heinous acting (except Gene Wilder) and an uninspired setting (no exceptions). The useless songs drone on for the first half of the film, until sweet release comes and the tour begins. The rest of the film is filled with the more upbeat variations on the Oompa Loompa song.

As for the acting, the kids, along with their parental counterparts, are painful to watch and listen to: marionettes could’ve handled the parts better. Gene Wilder, in the titular role, is the film’s only saving grace. And for a movie about imagination and endless possibilities, the chocolate factory’s indoor design was little more than the junk in someone’s garage covered in semi-bright colors. Being filmed in 1971 is no excuse for lack of inspiration.

The final word: If this was a beloved childhood favorite, then the nostalgia would probably live on in the modern viewer’s heart upon each screening, camouflaging the many disadvantages. If not, then it’s merely an obnoxious morality tale that feels outdated, and unwelcomed, at every turn.

Article by Rachel Thuro