Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Synopsis : A poor kid with an obsession with sweets wins a tour in a chocolate factory run by midgets and a half crazed recluse who resembles Young Frankenstein.

Brothy's Favorite Line : Grandpa Joe to Charlie about Varuca - "What she wants is a good kick in the pants."

Brothy's Favorite Scene : "The Enchanted Boat Ride" - Traveling on the 'Wonkatania' the passengers are taken into a dark tunnel where Wonka proceeds to scare their pants off with psychedelic lights, truly tasteless images and his own style of macabre poetry. "There's no earthly way of knowing, which direction we are going, there's no knowing where we're rowing, or which way the rivers flowing."

Brothy's Fast-forward Segment (the scene they could have left out): "The Cheer Up Charlie Song" - This boring song sung by Charlie's Mom has absolutely no value whatsoever, except to highlight Peter Ostrum's (Charlie Bucket) bad facial expressions and poor acting skills.

Brothy's Opinion in a Nutshell : This movie could have been perfect. It had a great story from the mind of Roald Dahl, great music, dancing midgets, edible tea sets, vermicious knids, and shnozberries. Who could ask for more? Unfortunately, Peter Ostrum's performance as Charlie Bucket (not to mention his hair) brings this gem of a movie down to the bottom of my top ten list. Ever since I saw this movie as a young child I have asked the question, "Who was he related to in order to get the part?" He can't act, he can't sing, and he isn't cute.

There are also several elements in the movie that always creeped me out a little.

•  The fact that all four of Charlie's grandparents live in the same bed, for instance. Does that not seem strange? I don't see any bedpans! And where are Grandpa George's feet?

•  The chocolate factory that no one ever goes in or out of, for another thing. How does it ever get checked by the sanitation board? Would it pass? Those Oompa Loompa's did wear gloves, but the equipment looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years.

•  Where did it take place? Half the people in Charlie's town talked with a British accent and half of them sounded like they were from Wisconsin. What's up with that?

All in all, this movie is a magical adventure that warps the mind of young children and puzzles the mind of adults. There are rumors of a remake directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Wonka. Can they improve on near perfection? It depends on who they cast as Charlie.