Paul King’s Willy Wonka prequel, Wonka, is a scrumdiddlyumptious delight.
Wonka follows the dreams and aspirations of young Willy Wonka to become the world’s finest Chocolatier.
Fans who worried about Timothee Chalamet’s casting as the beloved character need not worry as he gives a delicious performance – while not as zany and crackpot as Gene Wilder in the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, there are hints in Chalamet’s performance of this older, wiser Wonka.
And he proves himself as a different kind of showman here with his singing and dancing skills – in seven original songs written by King and Simon Farnaby (Horrible Histories). His voice is soft but doesn’t lack power and his version of Pure Imagination gives the song an entirely different meaning.
The new songs, while not quite as iconic as Oompa Loompa or I Want It Now, are cheesy, cheery 60s throwbacks. Scrub, Scrub comes closest to being as annoyingly catchy as the former & You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This is the type of ensemble musical number sorely lacking in most of today’s films, besides The Greatest Showman which shined in its musical moments, but not so much it’s dramatic elements, and La La Land.
Family audiences will marvel at the colourful dance numbers and humour, but adult audiences will appreciate the film’s critique of consumerism and even monopolies. The Chocolate Cartel (Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton) enlist The Chief Of Police (Keegan Michael Key) to help chase Wonka out of town to avoid competition by bribing him with an unlimited supply of their chocolates. It’s not particularly in-depth satire, but is refreshing to see a major family blockbuster address this.
Paul King directs with the same magic that made Paddington and Paddington 2 so much fun. He knows when to let the camera get in with the action and when to let the musical moments shine. Anyone who doubted King after his solid filmography insofar need not worry.
Hugh Grant as Oompa Loompa Lofty is one of 2023’s most unexpected castings but one of the most memorable movie moments of the year. He is absolutely hilarious and the perfect comedic foil to Wonka. He even gets a chance to sing the iconic song.
Wonka is a delightful Christmas season treat for fans of the Roald Dahl classic and opens up interesting new avenues for Timothee Chalamet’s career to go.
Featured Images Credit: Warner Brothers Entertainment
He/Him
Arts Editor 24/25
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