Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
Review: Man, I love this movie. They've done an excellent job with this DVD. This is a movie that all children need to see, and if you give them the chance, they WILL enjoy it. One of my all-time favorites, and both of my kids love it as well. You can't go wrong!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun little extras!
Review: I'm one of those people that wonders whatever happened to child actors of my favorite movies. This movie definitely caters to that curiosity. The new featurette has interviews with all the actors talking about what it was like to make the film and what they've been doing since. There's also a touching interview with Gene Wilder in that featurette. I had a delightful surprise with the running commentary! It's all the kids from the movie together for the first time! They share interesting stories about filming the scenes and seem to be having a great time with some good-natured teasing. The guy who was Augustus doesn't seem to talk much - I'm not sure if he understood what everyone was saying - or maybe he just doesn't speak much. I get a feeling that those kids really WERE playing themselves from the commentary. It adds a fun dimension to the film but I tend to like the commentary features on DVDs. I think the commentary's my favorite part.The sing along does not have the popular "Candy Man" song, which is a bummer, but it also doesn't have that maudlin "Cheer up Charlie" song - always had to fast forward through that one. It does include the corresponding scenes with the songs but doesn't always have the words at the bottom: "I've got a Golden Ticket" with Grandpa Joe, "World of Pure Imagination" with Willy Wonka, "I Want it Now" with Veruca Salt, and the Oompa Loompa song that came after Veruca fell down the eggdicator. All in all it's a fun DVD. Only complaint is its not widescreen. But I've really been enjoying all the features.
Rating:
Summary: DVD is Worth It
Review: The DVD of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is well worth its price and then some. In addition to the film, there is a short documentary about the making of the film and some other bonuses. Best of all is the option to view the film with voice over commentary by the now-adult kids who starred in it. They are very chatty, recall a good deal of detail from filming, and seem to enjoy discussing it. The film itself is engaging and should keep the attention of most younger viewers. Some adults have expressed their concern that Wonka has a dark or scary tone for a children's movie. They may be right, but it is not gratuitous, and is necessary to the story. And while parents may fret about that, I don't yet know of any kids who do. I loved it as a child, and my children do as well. Gene Wilder is superb as Willie Wonka, delivering a character both charming and menacing. The other actors, regardless of age, are all fine. The young actress who plays Veruka Salt is especially good, and at her best in her song (which is a favorite in my family).
Rating:
Summary: They Don't Make Kids Movies Like This Anymore
Review: Here's the deal, there are two types of children these days. Smart ones who appreciate movies that are fun. And Silly ones who just like fantasy violence e.g "The Power Rangers." If your child enjoys watching cool movies like "Labyrinth", "The Neverending Story" and anything starring "The Muppets" or the "Peanuts" gang, they will love this movie. It has great songs, naughty kids who get punished for being naughty, and it's full of color and candy. What kid wouldn't like this? For a flick that came out 30 years ago it still holds up well. It has been restored and looks awsome. Buy this flick for your kids, if they aren't into "Pokemon" you can tell you have a Smart kid and he or she will enjoy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Those crazy little people
Review: This is just one of those feel good movies. Like Funny Face, PI, Big Truck Crush, or Black Rage. It's one of those movies that you can watch over and over. You know, a moive that you see on T.V. late at night, when your flippin through the channels. You stop and watch only a few minutes, next thing you know it's and hour and a half later. This movie will deffently bee entertaining kids and adults for years to come. Those little men whit the green hair, carzy I tell ya. So, just remember kids don't do what they tell ya. It was cool. Big Truck
Rating: 
Summary: Correction
Review: This version of the classic filmed was modified to fit the full screen. The literature on the box does not state that this Pan & Scan version is the original aspect ratio. An anamorphic widescreen version is available.
Rating:
Summary: It's a classic
Review: What can you say about this movie? It's a great film that will appeal to kids of all ages and it's timeless. I enjoyed it when I was a kid, my fifteen-year-old son enjoyed it when he was younger and I'm sure my three-month-old will enjoy it as well. It's a classic.
Rating:
Summary: One of the all-time classics in a must-own DVD
Review: The 30th Anniversary Edition of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was originally botched as a fullscreen-only effort. However, Warner listened to the people and gave them a wonderful widescreen transfer. Colors are vibrant, the 5.1 Dolby Digital track is very nice, and there are a handful of cool extras. There is the 30-minute documentary "Pure Imagination" which shows some of the cast today, including all the children and Gene Wilder himself. The interviews of the cast looking back at the movie which was the defining thing for so many of them is very interesting. The documentary on the whole is rather fulfilling. While one feels that the documentary could have delved deeper and maybe been an hour-long, at a brisk 30 minutes, the pacing seems okay and it won't leave you wanting too much more. There is a limited amount of archival on-set "B" roll footage, but all that is there is interesting. Also included is the original theatrical trailer (Warner left off the 25th Anniversary trailer that was on the original DVD release from 1997), a 4-minute featurette on the production design, and a feature-length audio commentary from the children, who have now grown up. The other features - "character bios" and sing-alongs - are pretty much fluff features. Since this was one of my most anticipated DVD releases of the year, I can't help but feel Warner could have done more in the way of extra features - games, outtakes, deleted scenes, etc. Nevertheless, the overall content of this DVD is satisfying enough. As one of the greatest films of all time, and certainly one of the most enjoyable musicals and most enjoyable films of the 1970s, "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" has a timeless feel to it. This DVD deserves a place in every collection. If you like the movie, then know better than to be the fullframe edition, which was released earlier. Widescreen in the original ratio is the only way to go. Especially in a few years from now, when we all have 16 x 9 widescreen TVs, and that "fullframe" version leaves you with big bars on the side of the TV. See the movie the way it was made and meant to be seen - in widescreen. And when you do get that 16 x 9 television, guess what - the widescreen DVD will fill your screen! A classic movie with classic peformances, and a wonderful amount of heart. What are you waiting for -- get the widescreen 30th Anniversary Edition DVD of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory so you can enter a world of pure imagination today! Video: A -
Audio: A
Extras: B+
Rating:
Summary: Wonka-mania Strikes Again !
Review: I am a Wonka-nut. This is the only movie I have on VHS purchased and taped from TV, origional DVD and now this anniversary edition. This movie is great when I want to "veg" out to a good movie and some timid-camp. If you have never seen this movie - where have you been hiding. This is a classic - like the Wizard of Oz, West Side Story and The Wonderful World of Disney. It is pure fanstasy without cheap tricks and major special effects. It lets kids be kids and use their imagination. So "hold your breath, Count to 3, and Come with me" on this great movie. Its restoration and interviews are worth getting again. BTW: my favorite is the little song "Cheer-up Charlie" it always reminds me of my mother when I hear it.
Rating:
Summary: DVD -Willie Wonka
Review: This is a movie that can be enjoyed at different levels. DVD technology does this film justice as the scenery of the town and colors of the chocolate factory come off really well. Willie Wonka is great because kids love him and adults can understand and even laugh at his dark side and offbeat humor. The music is also great. It's hard to believe this movie actually did poorly at the box office as it has now earned classic status. My kid loves it. She asks to watch it constantly and it lights up her imagination more than Disney movies. The DVD actually gives you a choice to just play songs or select scenes. It also offers commentary by the now grown up kids and director. This is a good one to own rather than just rent.
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