"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Thing 1)

We watched "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in order to compare the two  movies. A poor boy named Charlie dreams about winning a golden ticket in a random lottery and going to visit Willy Wonka's famed chocolate factory.

I really enjoyed both movies for different reasons. We watched the older version ("Willy Wonka") first. And for a movie made in 1971, it did a pretty good job of holding up to modern standards. The special effects, the acting, even the music was all great considering. My favorite part about this movie in particular was Willy Wonka himself. He was sarcastic and didn't take any of the other four kids' brattiness, but he was also quirky and funny. He reminded me a little bit of any of the Doctors from "Doctor Who," down to the unique outfit and fast talking and magical world that seems bigger on the inside. This movie did have somewhat of an abrupt ending to it, though. Not unsatisfying, but quick. I liked the music in this one much better, too.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was very Tim Burton. It wasn't creepy, necessarily, but definitely a lot darker. Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka was more odd than delightfully quirky. With Gene Wilder, it didn't seem awkward at all when he gave Charlie a great big hug. Johnny Depp always gave off a "don't touch me" vibe. There was something more off and almost cold about him. It wasn't a bad different, I just preferred the other Willy Wonka better. However, this movie had a lot more backstory to it. You get to find out more about Charlie's family (he has a dad in this version, which he didn't in the other), the chocolate factory before it closed down and reopened, where the Oompa Loompas came from and how they came to work for Willy Wonka, and a whole flashback sequences about Willy Wonka's childhood. I liked that aspect a lot. It added more layers to the story. The ending was more complete, too.

I'd rate "Willy Wonka"

and "Charlie"

(actual rating 3.5).


These are both great movies for the family filled with laughs, a good story, and music guaranteed to stay in your head for a few days. Make sure you have chocolate on hand while you're watching, because you will get hungry.