Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (HD DVD)

It had been years since I had last seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and to be honest, my disappointment with the latest remake really soured me from even wanting to see it again. Could it have actually been that much better? The answer to that question is HELL YES! Gene Wilder is phenomenal as Willy Wonka, and this is something I don't normally say only because it sounds like something some pompous critic would say, but it is true. There is something about his performance that is both adult and childlike at the same time whereas Johnny Depp's recent performance as the quirky candy maker was downright creepy. While I probably wouldn't invite either incarnation of Wonka over for dinner I would be 100 times more likely to let Wilder's version near children.

Released back in 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a classic and should be remembered as such. The special effects were limited and yet it seemed to make the entire experience that much more realistic, but Wilder is the key. For example:

Sam Beauregarde: What is this Wonka, some kind of funhouse?
Wonka: Why? Are you having fun?

...or my personal favorite...

Violet Beauregarde: [while picking her nose] Spitting's a dirty habit.
Wonka: I know a worse one.

Wilder tackles these lines with such ease and so matter of fact that you can't help but laugh. It takes a unique personality to think of these things and it takes an equally unique and inspired person to deliver them just right and Wilder was the man for the role.

Of course, with all this talk of Wonka we can't forget the one thing that everyone remembers from this flick, the little orange men with the green hair and white overalls, the Oompa Loompas. "Oompa loompa doombadee doo, I've got another puzzle for you..." Come on, you know you are either humming the tune or finishing the song, and you probably don't even like musicals. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory brings out the kid in us all, no matter what your age.

As for this HD DVD release Warner couldn't have chosen a better film to include in their early releases. Filled with color this movie just pops off the screen in high definition and the Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack would make you believe it was made only last year. While it doesn't carry any additional features that were not on the special edition DVD for those of us that had not seen them they too are a treat. Especially the 30 minute making-of featurette and the commentary with the kids who are now all grown up, but I'll be damned if Augustus Gloop, played by Michael Bollner doesn't still sound just like Augustus.

Overall, this is right up there with the best HD DVD releases to date. Not only because it is a fantastic looking film in high definition, but simply because it is a film that deserves to be watched multiple times and seen in the best format available. If you are listening to me and still reading, then get out there and buy this one, you won't regret adding it to your early HD DVD collection.