Wonka

 

Seasons’s greetings!

I once again emerge from my darkened, local movie theater to share my thoughts on the latest family fare offered up by writer/director Paul King, Wonka.  Being a huge fan of Gene Wilder's 1971 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory I couldn’t wait to see what King (Paddington) came up with for this companion piece to the original.  This go around, the story is an origin story focused on the young, idealistic, and naive Willy Wonka as he pursues his dream of becoming a chocolatier and the friends he makes along his journey. 

As an origin story, Wonka is a fresh and interesting take which is simultaneously original and familiar. A combination that makes for an overall pleasant and enjoyable movie experience. 

The cast, peppered with frequent collaborators of other King films bring the energy, laughs, and whimsy.  Well-acted and cast across the board. Once I got out of my own head (as a fan of The Good Place Timothée Chalamet takes me a minute to get behind) I enjoyed Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Wonka. The chemistry with Calah Lane’s Noodle is great. Olivia Colman continues to live her best life onscreen. Paterson Joseph makes villainy fun. Hugh Grant as the Oompa Loompa is a long time making an appearance, but well worth the wait. And Jim Carter is a delight and possess some serious pipes. 

The new musical score fits this new take while having a couple of callbacks to Pure Imagination theme from the original tying the films together.  However, while well done and catchy, these songs and their accompanying dance routines aren’t nearly as memorable.  

Overproduced perhaps? 

Don't get me wrong. I definitely enjoyed them during the movie but didn’t leave the theater singing any of them.

Visually the film is eye-catching and leaps off the screen.  The costumes and sets are vibrant and whimsical bringing the "magic" of the film to life. Yet somehow the use of visual effects over practical definitely undercuts the impact in some places toning down the “wow” factor.  The awe and wonder become noticeably flat.

When all is said and done, Wonka delivers what it sets out to do.  Namely gives the audience an hour fifty-six minutes of entertaining escapism the entire family can enjoy.  Can’t complain about that. So, I'm not going to. I will say while I did have a good time watching Wonka, I was left with a sense of being underwhelmed.  

Why?

My take? Wonka is a solid, entertaining piece of work, but it’s safe.  

Too safe.  

There’s no edginess or darkness lying below the surface. I missed that in this version. It's a little too sweet. For me it keeps Wonka in the good category, not great.

Wonka gets a 7.5 from me.

Yes, there’s some credit sequence action that you need to hang around for.

#Wonka