'Wonka’ REVIEW: Chalamet, chocolates and childlike wonder
‘Wonka’ REVIEW: Chalamet, chocolates, and childlike wonder
Timothée Chalamet is Wonka.
After six Paddington-less years, Paul King comes back with an origin story of a character we’re all quite familiar with. And no, it’s still not Paddington. From being conceived by Roald Dahl in 1964 and brought to life in 1971 and 2005, the eccentric chocolatier returns to the pictures, this time as an optimistic young man with a hat full of dreams… and chocolates.
In this latest Willy Wonka installment, Timothée Chalamet stars as the titular character in a colorful exploration of families and humble beginnings. His ‘Charlie’ is a girl named Noodle played by Calah Lane, whose acting complements Chalamet as they team up to uncover the secrets of Slugworth. Like the previous movies, Wonka plays out as a musical interspersed with magical scenes of chocolate and hope, a constant reminder that everyone with a drive to share their craft with the world gets a golden ticket in life sooner or later.
In case you’re wondering if you need to see the Stuart and Burton adaptations first, the answer is no. It’s fun to imagine Wilder’s quirky antics and Depp’s playful performance as a younger Wonka graces the screen, but one wouldn’t miss out on anything by diving straight into Chalamet’s unique spin on the character. He gives new life to Wonka and even sings surprisingly well, coming a long way from his rapper roots.
Wonka is Paul King’s first film after six years.
And speaking of singing, the musical performances were fun, catchy even, pushing the film forward in waves of festive tunes and dramatic melodies. The Oomperial March—I mean, the Oompa Loompa Song is a bonus treat, with Hugh Grant as the tiny orange man with green hair. In fairness to him, he brings a special flair to the character. And of course, there’s Pure Imagination, the leitmotif and nostalgic cherry on top.
Aside from the ensemble cast of cheated innocents who didn’t read the small print, there’s also their captor who deserves praise. Mrs. Scrubbit is played by Olivia Colman who has never failed to show her versatility, this time as a caricature of opportunism. Another wonderful surprise is Rowan Atkinson who stars as a chocoholic priest that takes sweets as indulgences. It seems that Mr Bean’s still got it, making newer generations laugh.
There should also be a mention of the production design of the movie. Every set feels real and transports the audience to the fantasy world of Wonka. Don’t forget about the chocolat. The core of Wonka stands on the shoulders of Gabriella Cugno, who designed the variety of chocolates gobbled up by the characters in the movie. She mixes artistry and culinary in the best way possible to give us those irresistible sweets we see.
The verdict is clear—Wonka is a must-see. Whether you’re a fan of the previous adaptations or looking for a fun time, whether you’re alone or with your family, and whether you like chocolates or not, you’ll surely enjoy this spellbinding musical of how Willy Wonka got to build his factory from just determination and pure imagination. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll leave the cinema with a renewed sweet tooth, for this comfort movie will win your heart.
Catch a screening of Wonka in theaters nationwide from December 6, 2023.
