Wonka is the musical story of a blossoming chocolatier. Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) has arrived in town with a goal: to sell the greatest chocolates in the world. Armed with unbridled optimism and the finest ingredients, Wonka begins offering his delicious confectionary creations in the street. His immediate success, however, catches the attention of the ruthless “Chocolate Cartel.” These three men have held a profitable monopoly on local sweets and feel threatened by Wonka’s ingenuity and skill. As they team up to stop Wonka, the candy man makes a few friends of his own. Together, they aim to do what they can to bring chocolate and happiness to all the land.
What works in Wonka is the pure joy and whimsy in every detail. Director and screenwriter Paul King (Paddington 2) has pulled off a magic trick by creating an homage to the talents of Roald Dahl through emulation and expansion. Taking clear inspiration from both the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Dahl’s 1964 classic novel, King imbues this prequel with the same creativity, silliness, and warmth. Chalamet in particular is delightful every moment he is on screen. Naïve to a endearing fault, Wonka’s faith in the kindness of others and desire to spread love through chocolate is infectious. But every performer in Wonka appears to be having a blast. The characters feel like they could have been plucked right from Dahl’s imagination and play off each other in delightful ways. Finally, the production design is absolutely sensational especially Wonka’s candy creations and gadgets.
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People who don’t enjoy musicals or an abundance of comedic absurdity may not enjoy Wonka as much as others. The intended audience for Wonka is clearly the young and the young at heart. There aren’t really any rules in this universe beyond what one might dream up, and some not subscribe to all the “foolishness.” Also, Wonka is full of singing and dancing (slightly more so than the 1971 movie). If the musical genre isn’t your cup of cocoa, Wonka isn’t likely to change your position on it.
Wonka is a fantastic family holiday movie. This is the rare treat that will leave many (or most) patrons smiling from beginning to end. There’s so much to relish: from the performances to the costumes to the musical cues that conjure memories. Highly recommended for all ages.
Recommended if you Enjoyed: The Greatest Showman, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Wonka is available in theaters beginning on December 15th, 2023
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