Mel Stuart directs with a fine comedic flair.

It has the great and rare virtue of not playing down to its young audience, assuming they are as capable of understanding satire as the rest of us.

Most of the film is filled with stereotyped children, primary-colored, gaudy sets and a procession of cutesy songs so knee-jerk you can sing along with them the first time you hear them.

'Willy Wonka' is funny, challenging, a bit dangerous and bursting with imagination. In other words, sweet.