Wonka Movie Review

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If the original film is what you were looking for, don’t be disappointed when it’s not what you find. It’s, quite simply, only similar.

“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” from 1971 starring Gene Wilder. “Wonka,” though quite amusing, especially when making fun of its candy-loving chief of police, played by Keegan-Michael Key, is darker than expected. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still spirited and upbeat, but for a remake, I thought it would be closer to the feel of the original.

I never saw the film between these two called “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp. Now I must. “Wonka” is set to open in theaters and on IMAX internationally beginning in December 2023 and in North America on December 15, 2023. TODAY. I highly recommend seeing it on IMAX if you have one near you.

The premise here has nothing to do with a Charlie because it’s set way before he was “Wonka,” the successful entrepreneur with chocolate rivers and candy galore. The film starts off very sweetly, with beautiful music that accompanies a chocolate bar being unwrapped, which then reads, “A Roald Dahl Story.”

Singing is then heard from Willy Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name), who does a good job of speaking with a soft-spoken voice and has a kind face that puts everyone at ease. He’s been at sail for a long time and is about to reach the shore. He steps off the boat. He’s looking for a place his mother told him about that sells chocolates and anyone who makes the best can make a beautiful living doing so.

He’s excited to show the world his recipes and hat full of dreams. What he finds are three members of a chocolate cartel; the loudest of the three is “Avenue 5’s” Paterson Joseph’s “Slugworth.” The police are in with them to shut everyone but them down. A corrupt cleric played by Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) is in on the cover-up. Apparently, he loves chocolate more than his parishioners.

Needing to rest, Willy finds a place called Scrubbits. He’s warned by a little girl named Noodle (whom we find trapped there because she didn’t), to read the fine print before he signs a document to stay the night. Noodle is played by young actress Calah Lane from “Kidding” and is a big help in Willy making his dreams come true.

Sadly, I don’t remember one song from the film. They were good while listening, but they didn’t grab me and stay with me as the songs in Willy Wonka from fifty-two years ago… which we all still remember. Am I wrong? There were FUN visual effects to keep a child’s interest and not tire the adult watching.

The scene where Wonka wanders into a barber shop full of men who are losing their hair is priceless. He attempts to sell his Chocolate Hair Repair Éclair. It’s truly magnificent. The hairless cat who had a nibble suddenly looks like the Persian type of kitty. Hysterical. The kids will enjoy some of those flashes. Still, sadly, neither you nor they will remember one song from the film, which was such merriment that went along with, I’ll repeat it, the original.

What I recall more than anything is my fun little “shorty pants” Oompa-Loompa, played with precision by Hugh Grant (Notting Hill). The movie is worth a look just for his scenes. They are stupendous! Olivia Coleman is fabulous as the mean keeper of the Inn, where she has kept people locked away for decades. If three chocolate salesmen can rig the jury and pay off judges to keep breaking the law, so can she.

I’ll leave you to discover what else the movie entails but do take the family to see it. It’s not the best family movie of the year, but you all will have a good time. Before entering the theater, stop at the concession stand to get chocolate. It’ll be all you can think of when you exit. Don’t get up too fast! Oompa-Loompa, Wonka’s new “taster,” has a bonus, telling you to “Sit down in your seat!” You better do as you’re told, or you never know…