Chalamet becomes the next Willy Wonka in this triumphant Wonka
FILM REVIEW
Wonka
3.5 out of 4 stars
Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
Wonka
3.5 out of 4 stars
Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
The wait is over! After more than 50 years, we now get a film and story about Willy Wonka's life before opening his iconic chocolate factory. Wonka opens in theaters just in time for the holiday season. This film is directed and co-written by Paul King, who brought Paddington and Paddington 2 to the big screen.
In this film, Willy Wonka is a newcomer into the chocolate business and his talents are a threat to the top three chocolatiers Slugworth, Fickelgruber & Prodnose. Those three do everything in their power to make sure that Willy Wonka does not succeed. Timothee Chalamet embodies the role made famous by Gene Wilder and subsequently Johnny Depp in this joyful film. I hope Timothee sees this review and imagines me giving a standing ovation for his stellar performance.
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory is one of the most iconic films of all time, and this film delivers on creating a prequel for fans of all generations. While we don't get any mentions or foreshadowing of Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop or any of the five golden ticket winners, there are a few Easter Eggs for fans of the original 1971 film.
In this film, Willy Wonka is a newcomer into the chocolate business and his talents are a threat to the top three chocolatiers Slugworth, Fickelgruber & Prodnose. Those three do everything in their power to make sure that Willy Wonka does not succeed. Timothee Chalamet embodies the role made famous by Gene Wilder and subsequently Johnny Depp in this joyful film. I hope Timothee sees this review and imagines me giving a standing ovation for his stellar performance.
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory is one of the most iconic films of all time, and this film delivers on creating a prequel for fans of all generations. While we don't get any mentions or foreshadowing of Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop or any of the five golden ticket winners, there are a few Easter Eggs for fans of the original 1971 film.
Let’s chat about the A-List talent taking part in this film. Hugh Grant playing an Oompa Loompa was never on my bingo card, but his wit and demeanor are perfect for the role. In the original 1971 film, we only get to hear Oompa Loompas through the messages on their songs, but never knew their back story in their own words. Now at least we get to put some context to their part in Willy Wonka's world. Oliva Coleman nails every role, including this one where she tricks Willy Wonka, after she offers him a place to stay. It's after this moment, Willy Wonka and his new group of imprisoned friends make a plan to escape and sell Wonka's chocolate. Keegan-Michael Key brings in many of the film's comedic moments as the crooked chocoholic chief of police.
The film is more of a musical than I thought it would be, but also fits in perfectly with the original film in that regard. Pure Imagination is the only tune that we get to see reworked in this movie. Songs like I’ve got a Golden Ticket, I Want It Now and other variations of Oompa Loompa songs only fit in the original film and wouldn't make sense in this film. The songs are catchy and I gotta get my hands on the soundtrack once it's released.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's author Roald Dahl never wrote a prequel to his hit 1964 book, So we all had to use our errr..Pure Imagination to think what his life was like before he opened the doors to his mysterious and magical chocolate factory. The film is destined to be a fan favorite and a delightful compliment to Roald Dahl's work, the Gene Wilder 1971 version and current musical playing around the globe.
The film is more of a musical than I thought it would be, but also fits in perfectly with the original film in that regard. Pure Imagination is the only tune that we get to see reworked in this movie. Songs like I’ve got a Golden Ticket, I Want It Now and other variations of Oompa Loompa songs only fit in the original film and wouldn't make sense in this film. The songs are catchy and I gotta get my hands on the soundtrack once it's released.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's author Roald Dahl never wrote a prequel to his hit 1964 book, So we all had to use our errr..Pure Imagination to think what his life was like before he opened the doors to his mysterious and magical chocolate factory. The film is destined to be a fan favorite and a delightful compliment to Roald Dahl's work, the Gene Wilder 1971 version and current musical playing around the globe.
Wonka
opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 15
opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 15