It's been decades since I read Ronald's Dahl book on which the movie is based so I can't be absolutely certain which side of the debate he landed on. The misanthropic, Gene Wilder, Wonka just has much more depth. I can only imagine Dahl's reaction today as you see kids killing people rather than simply being spoiled or annoying. It's like writing a cautionary tale only to find that reality has not only beaten you to the punch, but skipped on ahead.
I just love those sarcastic little comments uttered by Wilder.