Wonka Review
Theatrical Movie Review - Family film
I love both the 1971 Gene Wilder “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the 2005 Johnny Depp “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” for the different ways that they tell the same story. I also worry about too much of a good thing, so I had some trepidation about the new “Wonka” movie from director Paul King. Prequels often feel slightly dodgy, so I went into this with guarded expectations.
Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) is leaving home to make his fortune in chocolate. But when he brings his brand of delight and imagination to the people, the chocolate cartel of Slugworth (Paterson Jackson), Prodnose (Matt Lucas), and Fickelgruber (Matthew Baynton) do everything in their power to keep him from taking business away from their empire. They lead him to Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman) and Bleacher (Tom Davis), who trap him in their sweatshop. While there, he teams up with Noodle (Calah Lane) to bring his chocolates to everyone while also trying to make life sweeter for his friends.
When it comes to prequels that no one asked for, “Wonka” has to be near the top of the list, but this movie enchanted me from the second it started through the end of the credits. The word that refused to leave my mind the whole time I was watching was “whimsy.” This movie positively overflows with whimsy.
Chalamet garnered some side eyes when he was cast as the young Wonka, but he absolutely nailed the role. This is a Wonka who hasn’t been alone in his factory for years, so while there is plenty of eccentricity, he never comes across as unhinged as either Wilder or Depp, which works well. The three evil chocolatiers bring the perfect amount of comedy and menace, especially when paired with Keegan-Michael Key as the police chief. And I must give a nod to Hugh Grant as the original Oompa-Loompa for finally making this a relatable character.
The songs in this are not nearly as catchy as the original, but they are solid enough and draw on music from the original in ways that hit nostalgia hard while still serving the story. Visually, this movie will delight without being overwhelming. The contrast between the rest of the world and Wonka’s imagination is spectacular, and I appreciated that King avoided the temptation to saturate every frame with color.
One of my biggest complaints about prequels is the tendency to explain the origins of items that don’t matter. “Wonka” largely avoids that, focusing instead on telling a unique story about Willy Wonka that uses nostalgia to enhance the current story rather than making fans pine for the original.
The holidays are a great time to head to the theater to see a movie with the family. “Wonka” isn’t explicitly a Christmas movie, but if you’re looking for something for the entire family to enjoy together, this world of imagination has something for everyone.
I’m so excited! We’re seeing this on Friday!