A classic in every sense of the word, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is doing something truly special to mark its fiftieth birthday. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is releasing the Gene Wilder starring film in stunning and breathtaking 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.
What began on the pages of Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name, came to life with the pitch-perfect touch of director Mel Stuart and of course, its star—Gene Wilder. The beloved actor brought so much to the part, it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role in this particular incarnation.
Wilder played Willy Wonka, the iconic candy man, who decides to open the doors to his candy factory to a select and lucky group of kids (and their parents). A “golden ticket” was placed in a select number of candy bars and sent out into the world. Those lucky enough to score one of those golden tickets received an all-expense-paid trip to Britain for a behind-the-scenes tour where the magic happens. The best part, the entire experience will be led by the man himself, Willy Wonka.
The film itself is outstanding and one can still find something new to cling to, even after all these years. Not many flicks can say that. The entire Willy Wonka experience has become a rite of passage, handed down from parent to child since it debuted 50 years ago. Over the last five decades, the film has become an institution, even landing a coveted spot in the United States Library of Congress.
It seems only fitting that for the big anniversary, that Warner Bros. work their 4K magic that has been a long time coming for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After the success, the studio has had bringing the supreme hi-def to films as wide-ranging as Full Metal Jacket, Blade to 300, and The Goonies. There’s something in the water over there in Burbank at the Warner Bros. because their work bringing their popular titles into the 4K upgrade arena has been unmatched.
Now, if there was a film that had the potential to look and sound as mind-blowing as you think it would in 4K, it is the original Willy Wonka. It should surprise nobody that it is bloody brilliant the upgrade WB achieved with one of their absolute classics. The colors pop off your screen and the textures are so fine you’ll want to reach through your hi-def television and check out the feel of Willy’s suit coat and so much more. What else was improved with this enhancement and restoration is how previous incarnations of this film possessed the wrong framing ratio. That has been corrected and don’t be surprised if some of you cinephiles out there notice that many shots that previously were not centered are now exactly as they were intended by helmer Stuart.
What is fascinating too is as part of the upgrade, the film looks more like a film and less like a Blu-ray upgrade. I know what you’re thinking… what? Well, for the longest time, the highest visual compliment a film could get was that it was “as clear as day,” something delivered by numerous Blu-ray upgrades when studios and filmmakers took their DVD releases and embraced the clarity that is innate to the Blu-ray. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory does something extraordinary with its 4K release, it feels more like a film than a Blu-ray—all while still visually popping off the screen, as we mentioned. It’s an odd dichotomy, but it is one that will likely be emulated by other studios as they take their classics that have gotten the Blu-ray “cleansing” and upgrade them to 4K with the intent of bringing back that sense of a film versus a digital representation of what was originally shot.
Ask anyone about Willy Wonka and they’ll tell you about the story, about Wilder, and about the children (particularly the “bad” eggs and what happens to them). One thing you can count on is people referencing the color palette of The Chocolate Factory and how it looked like a drug-induced color explosion. Previous home video versions of this film got the color enhancements right, or so we thought. There’s nothing wrong with them, don’t get me wrong. It’s just with this 4K upgrade, the color has never felt so… well, real. It is like an explosion of the rainbow and every nuanced color in between those standard hues.
Sound-wise, specifically, the surround sound potential is off the charts with this upgrade. It’s a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix, as was the previous Blu-rays, but there’s something about it coupled with the video brilliance that adds up to an extrasensory experience of the highest order.
There is nothing new that hasn’t been covered by previous Blu-ray editions when it comes to bonus features. That doesn’t mean they’re not special, insightful, powerful, and enlightening! Of particular interest is the audio commentary track with the “Wonka Kids,” whose reflection on the making of the movie is about as priceless as one can get.
You’ll also want to dive into Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, The Moviemakers, and have a ball singing your heart out with a delightful sing-along feature for Pure Imagination, I Want It Now!, I’ve Got a Golden Ticket and Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-De-Do.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A-