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Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on June 28, 2021, 01:51:15 PM

Title: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (50th Anniversary UHD Blu-ray) review
Post by: David Vaughn on June 28, 2021, 01:51:15 PM

(https://i.imgur.com/0p3bPid.jpg)

Studio: Warner
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Rating: G
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
Roald Dahl's classic story tells the tale of five kids who find a golden ticket that entitles them to visit the secretive Wonka Chocolate factory, where one worthy child will win a lifetime supply of chocolate. Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), a poor kid who lives with his mother and two sets of grandparents in the shadow of the factory, is one of the lucky five. The others—well, let's just say they are the result of bad parenting and poor choices.
 
My Thoughts
As a child, I never really connected with this film, but I’ve grown to enjoy it as a parent. The behavior of the four bad kids provides extreme examples of what we often seen in child today and I remember using it as a tool with my children to show them extreme examples of how not to behave. Charlie ends up being the model child and his virtuous behavior is a parent’s dream and thankfully, my kids ended up being more in Charlie’s mold than the four “bad” kids.
 
For its fiftieth anniversary, Warner has given a previous 4K scan the HDR treatment. Primary colors leap off the screen and there’s plenty of depth and detail in the image. Some special effects stick out like a sore thumb with the added resolution, but overall, the film has never looked better. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track is serviceable but isn’t anything to write home about. Dialog sounds a bit strained at various points in the picture and purists will be upset that the original Mono track isn’t on the disc.
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 6/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Commentary with the Wonka Kids
• Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
• The Moviemakers
• Scrumptious Sing-Along: Pure Imagination
• Scrumptious Sing-Along: I Want It Now!
• Scrumptious Sing-Along: I’ve Got A Golden Ticket
• Scrumptious Sing-Along: Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-De-Do
• Theatrical Trailer

 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WKPKnggJqk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WKPKnggJqk)
 
Conclusion
While Gene Wlider’s portrayal as the legendary candy man is arguably one of his most memorable roles, I always have found him to be a bit creepy. Then again, Johnny Depp’s portrayal makes him look downright normal, but I digress. I’ve had the collectible 40^th Anniversary limited edition box set in my collection for the past 10 years and I’ll gladly add this 4K disc to my collection. The improvement in the video is well worth the price for fans of the film.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner