Rating: 
Summary: The best, and most subversive, kids' film of all time
Review: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, so the story goes, was bankrolled by Hershey's Chocolate to provide children with "quality" entertainment, presumably as long as that quality entertainment sold chocolate bars.Director Mel Stuart's film is, indeed, one of the best "quality" children's movies ever made, though it's so shockingly subversive at times, it's doubtful that this could be what Hershey's had in mind when it handed over the money. Don't get me wrong, the movie is a children's film in some of the usual senses of the term: there's an incredible chocolate factory that will have your kids wishing they were there, and musical numbers entertain along the way as we learn valuable lessons about the dangers of greed, gluttony, and watching too much TV. But there it is, right in the middle of the film and directly out of left field, the scene that plays like a bad drug trip, in which Willy Wonka (who truly is played to perfection by the brilliantly deadpan Gene Wilder) captains a boat down the chocolate river and an array of multi-colored lights and random images flash on the walls as the boat goes faster...faster...faster...to the horror of everyone onboard. These images include a worm crawling across a person's face and a chicken coming into contact with the business end of a cleaver. Hershey's Kiss, anyone? Then again, it's probably more effective then the "Just Say No" campaign ever was. If this sounds all too disturbing, it isn't. The darker parts of the film are few and far between and all part of what makes this it so memorable and so unlike any other. Adults will love the sarcastic humor and children will love the chocolate factory -- scary boat ride and all.
Rating:
Summary: CHOCOLATE KISSES ALL AROUND!
Review: We don't need Sammy Davis Jr. to remind us that it's dear old Willy Wonka who makes the world taste good. Based on Roald Dahl's gem, Willy Wonka is about a mysterious candy-maker (brilliantly played by Gene Wilder) who offers five lucky kiddies a chance to go behind the scenes at his hi-tech, high in calories candy factory...complete with milk chocolate waterfalls! A most tasty confection for the young...and young-at-heart. The 30th anniversary edition DVD has been lovingly restored, and contains many special features, including Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, singalong songs and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Give this one a huge (Hershey's) kiss!
Rating:
Summary: Charlie's Golden DVD
Review: As an alternate choice I have always preferred "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" to the overt chumminess of "Wizard of Oz". So it's nice that Warner Brothers decided to compliment an exceptional Wizard DVD with the re-release of Willy Wonka on it's own well made disc. For awhile there was only the standard and rather lame anniversary release of Willy Wonka on DVD and because of a "limited" release it became hard to find and expensive! So finally the brains at WB came to their collective senses to put out a new and much improved edition. The transfer and sound alone are a vast improvement over the original yet it still retains its 1971 ambiance by not over-digitizing unnecessary effects: ala Star Wars. Getting the wide screen version you discover what terrific photography a wide screen lens (if used properly) can do for children's cinema. Instead of getting obnoxious close ups we can get a full view of the terrific art direction which in this case is, well....pure imagination! The extras are simply great. A solid reunion documentary highlights the disc along with other goodies including the original featurette, sing along songs, original trailer and Wonka kids commentary. The doc. is a bit on the sappy side but it does shed some good light as to why, and how the movie was made. If any thing it's a trip to gander at the whole Wonka kid cast grown and hear them reminisce about filming. Although a person can't complain about the edition disc except that it is done too much for kids. Understandable but this "children's" film more than any other seemed to have a slight twist to the realm of adult. Especially given it's overt psychedelic moments and presumed dark demise of spoiled kids. Also it generally had ironic moments that played against it's own cutesy childish genre like Charlie Bucket (in the hurried and chaotic boat ride scene) suggesting that the film would make a great TV show. No where is this more evident than with Gene Wilder's on and off the brink performance as Willy Wonka. Arguably his best ever. His inspiring line "So shines a good deed in a weary world." can still make the cruelest most jaded heart in the toughest cell block feel like choking up. If you have a DVD collection and own "Wizard of Oz" it should be law that you have "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" as well. If not, that funny feeling you have is simply not being a complete person!
Rating:
Summary: just as good as I remembered it!
Review: I love this movie! I used to adore this movie as a kid, I watched it about a billion times. I hadn't seen it in about 10 years, but when my husband and I watched it together it was every bit as good as we remembered! I can't wait until our daughter is old enough to watch this movie!
I do agree with some other reviewers that some kids might be a little scared by some aspects of the movie (the boat ride through the tunnel for example.)
but it's a great movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Kids Will Eat It Up
Review: Based on Dahl's classic children's novel CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, this musical tells the story of an impoverished child who--along with several other children--wins a tour of the famous Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. Once inside, the bad children bring punishment upon themselves through misbehavior, while our hero Charlie receives a surprising reward. The film strives for a WIZARD OF OZ look, and although it never achieves that level the art design is fun--particularly the main room of the chocolate factory, which comes complete with rivers of chocolate. Gene Wilder also offers a charmingly eccentric performance as Wonka, and he is well supported by a generally excellent cast including Jack Albertson. Some parents may be concerned that younger children will be disturbed by the "Brothers Grimm" style in which the bad children are dispatched, but your kids will probably eat it up; some younger children, however, may be mildly frightened by the Ompah-Loompahs, the Munchkin-like factor workers. Young children will probably love the film through repeat viewings, parents will probably find the film wears thin for them after one or two times: the music is merely so-so, there is little depth, and the movie is about as subtle as a sledge hammer.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: This movie should be defined as a classic.The star of the movie is Gene Wilder, who does a great job as Willy Wonka. The movie is about a poor boy who is one of the lucky winners of a golden ticket found inside of a candy bar, which was made by Wonka Factories.He gets to bring one guest so he brings his grandfather.The movie continues from there where you go and take a tour of wonka factories and much wacky hijinx ensue. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is rated G, it can be viewed by all ages, but there is one scary scene, but it shouldnt be too much.
Rating:
Summary: WONKA BAR, baby!
Review: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, a classic family movie that everyone should see. I love this movie to death - my only complaint is that this version is full frame and not wide-screen, but still a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic for all!
Review: This movie is a classic for children of all ages. It is a heart-warming story detailed with fun, laughter, candy and insanity - what more could you ask for?
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Movie.
Review: I liked just about every thing in this movie except the freaky boat ride. I have this on video and try to watch it at last once a year so I won't overwatch it and get sick of it! Gene Wilder was great in this movie and was the perfect choice to play Willy Wonka! I highly recommend this movie which I personally like to watch either around Easter or Halloween when you have all that candy to eat.
Rating:
Summary: Dementia Exemplified
Review: A quirky little dreamland turned bad. Follow Charlie as he and 5 other children enter into Mr. Wonka's (perfectly played by Gene Wilder) chocolate factory. Soon you are immersed in a world of orange men and candy galore. The films charm and creativity are only overshadowed by it's dark and almost morbid undertones. The children begin to fall by the waste-side one by one. The children will appreciate the visual affects and the playful side of the film while adults will revel in the wit of Wonka and his many snide remarks and one liner jabs. The DVD even has a sing-a-long! (yey) So now even YOU can sing right along with those Oompa-Loompas. Enjoy.
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