Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" showcases a remarkable improvement in sharpness and detail, capturing elements previously obscured in downgraded formats. Encoded via VC-1, this transfer presents a new level of clarity that highlights the film's inherent flaws. Every patterned detail in the black and white room during the factory tour is crystal clear, free from moire patterns or aliasing. However, this sharpness also reveals the imperfections in certain special effects, like the opticals in Mrs. Teevee's close-up and the vanishing edge of Willy's elevator during the final ascent.

Color reproduction remains as quirky as always, with flesh tones fluctuating considerably – Oompa Loompas' vibrant orange contrasting notably with other characters. Saturation levels are generally pleasing and black levels appear solid throughout. This release stands as likely the best visual presentation we will ever get for this 1971 classic despite its budget constraints and original film stock limitations showing through. While far from perfect, the Blu-ray version is a commendable step up from previous DVD iterations, making it a worthwhile upgrade for fans.

The Dolby True HD 5.1 mix of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" delivers an overall robust audio experience, particularly through Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's beloved song score. While the orchestral elements like Walter Scharf's fun orchestrations benefit from newfound clarity — with instruments such as the glockenspiel in the opening credits sequence resonating beautifully — there are noticeable issues in the mid to low range. These issues manifest as low-level distortion primarily in the sung components, notably more discernible in tracks like "Candy Man" compared to "Pure Imagination." The dialogue remains clear and consistent throughout, subtly enhanced by rear speakers that add directionality and emphasize over-the-top sound effects inherent to Willy's outlandish inventions.

Though this 5.1 mix might not meet today's standards of fully immersive audio experiences, it stands as a significant improvement over previous DVD releases. The enhancement is particularly evident when toggling through the foreign language soundtracks, which sometimes retain the original English vocal performances, adding an extra layer of audible interest. The mix offers several immersive moments, benefiting mainly the sound effects and highlighting the film's imaginative elements. Overall, for a 1971 musical, this audio presentation is commendably solid for its age and an essential upgrade for fans of the film's iconic music and whimsical storytelling.

The Blu-ray extras for "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" strike a delightful balance between nostalgia and detailed insights into the movie's production. Featured highlights include an engaging audio commentary from the now-adult child actors, providing both humorous and reflective anecdotes about their experiences. The content is primarily in standard definition, repurposing several materials from prior editions, with a couple of newly produced features adding fresh value. Diehard fans may revel in the 144-page collector’s booklet that complements the set. However, those familiar with previous releases might find the new content somewhat limited.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Anecdotal retrospective with the original child actors.

Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: Comprehensive documentary with input from key figures.

Sing-Along Songs: Four karaoke videos featuring beloved songs.

Original Featurette: Vintage 1971 featurette.

Theatrical Trailer: Original 1971 trailer.

Mel Stuart's Wonkavision: Newly produced featurette with director insights.

A World of Pure Imagination: Rediscovered vintage featurette.

The Blu-ray release of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" offers Gene Wilder’s timeless portrayal of the eccentric Willy Wonka in a visually enchanting 1080p/VC-1 encoded video transfer. The picture quality is notably sharp with vivid color representation, highlighting the film's whimsical and fantastical sets, from the vibrant chocolate river to the peculiar Oompa Loompas. Complementing the visual splendor, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track immerses viewers in the film’s delightful musical numbers and soundscapes, creating an engaging and enveloping audio experience.

The film follows Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), a poor boy who dreams of finding one of the five Golden Tickets hidden in Wonka Bars worldwide. These tickets grant entry to Willy Wonka’s secretive chocolate factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. Charlie’s journey, underscored by thematic elements of morality and honesty, is portrayed with heartfelt emotion. The eclectic cast including Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe, creates memorable characters that contribute significantly to the narrative's charm and depth. The storyline seamlessly integrates Dahl’s beloved tale with captivating performances and imaginative production design.

Wilder’s deliberately whimsical and multifaceted performance stands out, particularly in scenes such as the Fizzy Lifting Drink escapade and the climactic revelation of Slugworth’s true identity. Each child’s encounter—a mix of cautionary mishaps like Violet Beauregarde turning into a blueberry—contributes to the progression of the plot while maintaining a strong undercurrent of moral lessons. The factory’s inventive, colorful settings serve as a character in themselves, enriching the viewing experience with their fantastical allure. While preserving the nostalgic charm, this Blu-ray edition enhances the appreciation of a film that is rightfully considered a standalone cinematic masterpiece.

The Blu-ray release of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" showcases the beloved classic in stunning high-definition, demonstrating impressive visual clarity and depth. The vivid colors of Wonka's fantastical world are faithfully reproduced, making the viewing experience fresh and exhilarating. Comparatively, while the previous editions offered satisfactory performance, this Blu-ray release provides a notable upgrade, especially for those who appreciate meticulous color grading and enhanced sharpness.

The audio quality of this release is equally commendable. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack strikes a perfect balance between dialogue clarity, musicality, and ambient sounds. The nostalgic and whimsical score benefits from the rich audio fidelity, enveloping viewers in the magical ambiance of the film. While not an extensive revamp of the original sound mix, the Blu-ray ensures that both longtime fans and new viewers enjoy an immersive auditory experience.

A box set's price point is crucial. Whether or not the 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition release of "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" justifies consideration comes down to just one question: how much is an excellent 144-page production book, the previous Blu-ray release of the film, a bonus DVD with two exclusive featurettes, and several other pack-ins worth in your mind? If you're a diehard Wonka zealot with disposable income to spare, the choice will be simple. If, however, you have affection for the film but don't really care about a book, a few box set goodies and two featurettes you won't find anywhere else, you'd be better served by the 2009 Digibook release or the 2010 standard-case re-issue. Ultimately, those armed with appropriate expectations will enjoy everything Warner's box set has in store.