Wonka

Originally published Jan 23, 2024

It’s no secret that prequels, spin-offs and remakes of classic beloved films have become a collective groaner for film consumers, dismissing them, often immediately, as a corporate studio’s lazy attempt to cash in on an audience’s nostalgia. I’m pleased to say that, in spite of poor promotion, Wonka took a pointless premise and pumped out a purely whimsical feature that exceeded expectations.

Directed by Paul King of the Paddington movies, the origin story of one Willy Wonka was a quirky, fast-paced and surprisingly gripping series of silly shenanigans and stellar songs that left my mouth watering and my toes tapping. I have a soft spot for simple stories that are light in tone while still having stakes and, dare I say it, complexity. If that’s not enough, worry not, for Wonka also sports a lovable lot of characters. While Gene Wilder can never be replaced, Timothée Chalamet brings a youthful and slightly eccentric optimism to a man with a simple, if seemingly unattainable dream. Challenging him is the charmingly contemptible Chocolate Cartel, a trio of villains who manage to strike the near-perfect balance of humorous and hateable. Aiding Willy in his enterprise are orphan bookworm girl Noodle (Calah Lane), a ragtag band of captives indebted to a loathsome laundry owner, and a hilariously haughty Oompa Loompa played by Hugh Grant. Still not sold? Well, the cherry atop this splendid cinematic serving is its humor. While humor itself is objective, I’ve always been amused by English humor; it has a witty bite about it while still staying formal. If that’s your taste, you won’t  be disappointed.

Don’t let its modern prequel status dissuade you. It may not be pure, but between its story, songs, cast and humor, Wonka certainly has some imagination to it yet.

Rating: 8/10