Wonka - A Movie Review

Any dream comes true if you believe.

Wonka delivered chocolate into theaters in 2023. The film follows the tales of a young Willy Wonka. The aspiring chocolatier wishes to open a chocolate factory. He discovers that the industry is run by greedy chocolatiers so he must follow his heart.

The whole theater was excited for Wonka while munching on chocolate. Wonka is a heartwarming film that explores the origins of the enigmatic chocolatier, Willy Wonka. The film successfully recreates the world of imagination, though it detours from delivering Wonka’s triumphs and focuses on a cartoonish villain scenario.

Without a doubt, Timothee Chalomet captures the heart of Willy Wonka. He embodies the charisma and playfulness of the character, inhabiting the iconic personality. His singing voice was quite good. Although gullible, Willy’s passion for creating chocolate is inspiring. He does not give up on his dreams.

Wonka has a great cast. Calah Lane was splendid as Noodle. Chalomet and Lane are fantastic together. I look forward to seeing Lane in more films. Olivia Colman is a standout as Mrs. Scrubitt. She has come a long way in her acting career, playing more versatile roles.

Credits also include Paterson Josephy, Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Rahkee Thakrar, and Sally Hawkins. Hawkins was my favorite as Willy Wonka’s mother. She gave her son the best advice that inspired him to do more.

The best performance in Wonka is Hugh Grant as Lofty, the Oompa Loompa. Similar to his distaste of the now iconic dance scene in Love Actually, Grant has been vocal about his distaste of this film. Grant’s Oompa Loompa songs are the best part of the film. I was laughing in the theater!

The decision to explore Wonka’s formative years is a great idea that provides context to how his talents came to be. However, Paul King chose a cartoonish villain scenario instead of evolving Wonka’s chocolatier skills. Wonka’s chocolate factory is another creative element that wasn’t utilized enough.

Chalamet commented that he got headaches from consuming chocolate throughout the film. For a movie about chocolate, there’s not enough candy or sweets in the film. And when there were sweets it wasn’t chocolate and instead Wonka’s inventive candies. A chocolatier made all the sweets for the film.

Director Paul King brings his trademark visual flair to Wonka. The film is colorful and vibrant in every scene. King crafts visually stunning worlds that illuminate the imagination. From the vibrant landscapes of the chocolate factory to the quirky characters that inhabit Wonka's universe, the film successfully transports audiences into a fantastical realm.

That doesn’t qualify for the story. I agree with Hugh Grant in how Lofty’s role should have been extended. He only appears for three scenes to sing a song. Although he saves Wonka in the climax, in my opinion, Lofty is integral to the plot and would have been useful to Wonka’s plans.

Composers Neil Hannon and Joby Talbot set the tone for the film. ‘Pure Imagination’ is beautifully sung by Chalomet. Some songs were unneeded but I disagree with viewers who have made negative remarks on the addition of songs. The songs enhance the imaginative world.

The last third wraps up the story too quickly. I wanted the film to explore Wonka’s chocolatier skills and this magical world. While the cartoonish villain scenario provides a source of conflict and entertainment, it feels somewhat disconnected from the heartwarming essence of Wonka's character.

In conclusion, Wonka is a delightful and imaginative prequel that all kids will enjoy. I’m impressed with how well it emulates the whimsical world of Roald Dahl’s story.