WONKA (2023) FILM REVIEW

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A prequel to the original children’s beloved tale. Wonka sets off to market his whimsical confectionery to a new audience. However, slug-worth, the main chocolatier in town, isn’t too keen on competition.  Together with the other household chocolate tycoons, he plans to end Wonka’s dreams permanently.

⚠️ SPOILERS ALERT⚠️

Paul King reimagines the infamous sweet seller that’s entertained countless readers and film-goes with a new musical adaption. There’s plenty of comedy, dancing and heart-warming moments that appeals to the wide demographic the franchise has accumulated over the years.

Chalamet plays Wonka as a naive and slightly childish young man, looking to share his wondrous chocolates to the world. However, we don’t necessarily see how Wonka actually started making chocolates and his reason to open a business, outside brief cutscenes with his mother.

Although, this gives some endearing moments. It removes the mystery and individuality of the character. Willy Wonka’s essence in the book and franchise has always been his unique creative mind that puts him above slug-worth and competitors. It removes from his own accomplishments to have his chocolates being recipes from his mother.

Chalamets physically active presence on screen correlates well with the Wonka’s energetic demeanour in the book. However, Chalamet does take a more safe, albeit less realistic approach as opposed to Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder’s version. Minimising the eccentricity and awkwardness of the character and making Wonka more relatable, especially to a younger audience. 

However, it did feel like there was little difference between Wonka and another popular children’s character like Paddington. Wonka’s personality feels more Charlie Bucket and less chocolate maker. The film strongly emphasises the Imaginative elements of the book.

However, Chalamet does encompass the happy go lucky and free spirited mindset of Disney protagonists, which is an entertainingly decent match for an imaginative chocolate maker.

Chalamets outfit for Wonka has a similar design to his predecessors, albeit slightly bohemian. Given his initially poverty, I would have liked to see Wonka originally in   ordinary clothing. In the finale, Wonka then wears his signature coat and top hat signifying his accomplishment.

The costumes, movie sets and props are incredibly detailed, colourful and eye-catching and the film is worth a re-watch just to appreciate it. The cartels have hysterical punchlines, but successfully still pose a threat to Wonka and his friends. It created a delightful mixture of nervousness followed by fits of giggles amongst theatregoers.

Paul King takes a lot of inspiration from the Paddington films in this cinematic adaption. It’s difficult to compare to the previous two films as Wonka has it’s own original story whilst Depp and Gene Wilder’s mostly resembles the children’s book. 

All the actors do a stellar and performative job with emotive expressions and body language to symbolise their  roles. Their is a whimsical super speed to Wonka’s growth through the film. I wish there were a few more scenes narrating how penniless Wonka saved the money to open his shop and produce more chocolate.

To conclude, Wonka is a theatrical tale of capitalism, dreams and kindness. Can definitely envision the storyline being adapted for theatre performances. The film is a great way of introducing a new audience to the children’s classic as well as clearing some of the mystery behind the enigmatic chocolate genius.

Although, I enjoyed the film I don’t believe it warrants a film series. Producers have utilised a small percentage of the book to include in the movie. I just feel other films about this Wonka would be less homage and more of an attempt at cashing in on Dahl’s masterpiece.

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