Director
Paul King
(PADDINGTON, PADDINGTON 2)

Starring
Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, and Hugh Grant

We’ve had a couple of incarnations of Roald Dahl’s beloved Willy Wonka over the years. Gene Wilder’s iconic turn in the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has dually been enchanting and terrifying audiences for the past five decades. His whimsical yet enigmatic portrayal of the legendary chocolatier has become ingrained in popular culture, leaving an indelible mark on generations of viewers.

However, in 2005, Tim Burton attempted to reimagine the fantastical world of Willy Wonka with his adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While some appreciated the dark and quirky aesthetic that Burton brought to the story, others found it to be a departure from the charm and innocence of the original film. It is an adaptation that has divided audiences since its release and is often seen as a unique take on Dahl’s work.

So when news spread about a new film exploring the origins of Willy Wonka, both excitement and trepidation filled the air. The prospect of delving into the backstory of such an iconic character was intriguing, but the fear of this new installment falling short of expectations lingered. However, the team behind the latest adaptation, aptly titled Wonka, managed to assemble an incredibly talented cast that promised a fresh and captivating retelling of the beloved tale.

Leading the pack is the talented actor Timothée Chalamet, who takes on the challenging role of Willy Wonka himself. Chalamet, known for his nuanced performances and ability to bring depth to his characters, brings a youthful energy and charm to the enigmatic chocolatier. His portrayal of a young Willy Wonka offers audiences a glimpse into the formative years of the character, shedding light on the events that shaped him into the eccentric genius we know and love. Joining Chalamet are Hollywood A-listers in Olivia Colman and Hugh Grant (controversially cast as an Oompa Loompa), as well as Keegan-Michael Key as a corruptible Policy Chief with an insatiable sweet tooth.

Under the direction of Paul King, the filmmaker behind the heartwarming Paddington films, Wonka comes to life with vibrant visuals and a whimsical atmosphere that captures the magic of Roald Dahl’s imaginative world. King’s experience in creating endearing family-friendly films makes him the perfect choice to bring this beloved story to the big screen once again.

Overall, the anticipation surrounding Wonka was met with a resounding success. The film not only pays homage to the classic tale but also breathes new life into the Willy Wonka universe. With its stellar cast, talented director, and the promise of a captivating origin story, Wonka is set to delight audiences of all ages and take them on a deliciously imaginative cinematic adventure.

One thing to be prepared for, is that this Willy Wonka offering certainly checks the underlying menace at the door. The subtlety sinister vibe that Gene Wilder once mastered has been replaced by a whimsical eccentricity with Chalamet. This is firmly a family film, one that won’t lead to ongoing night sweats in your (late) thirties…..not that I’m still plagued by images of Mr. Slugworth in a psychedelic tunnel of terror or anything.  This story is much more formulaic and fanciful; we join a young Willy Wonka as he arrives in the big (unnamed) city, trying to make his mark in the world of famous chocolatiers. But we can’t have a hero without some villains. Working against him are the established chocolate makers; Slugworth, Fickelgruber and Prodnose as well as a delightfully horrid inn-keeper come slave-master Mrs. Scrubbit (played perfectly by Academy Award winner Colman) and her right hand thug Bleacher (Tom Davis). To try and make his chocolate empire dream come true, Willy joins forces with a group of enslaved laundry workers to get his wonderful creations out into the world whilst navigating every obstacle placed in his way by those whose interests he threatens.

The songs in this musical creation are a mix-match of ear worms and forgettable fillers, beefed up with a couple of re-imagined favourites in the form of ‘Pure Imagination’ and a fabulous re-working of the ‘Oompa Loompa’ song, nailed by Hugh Grant, who despite the criticism for his casting is an absolute scene stealer. Still not certain if making this a musical was entirely necessary, as the songs lack the vibrancy of their 1971 predecessor, but they certainly don’t ruin the experience. Chalamet was a choice also not without its criticism, but he does a wonderful job bringing the magic of Roald Dahl to life, and adds another dimension to his acting repertoire.

The only thing I could say the film is lacking is an indication of how Wonka went from carefree and fanciful, to a potential child murderer. There is a stark juxtaposition of Chalamet’s character and Wilder’s, but maybe that just leaves the door ajar for another film to bridge that gap. I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.

Wonka is in cinema’s now.