Wonka (2023) Movie Review
Taking on a remake or even a re-imagining of the classic movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) is a tall task. But writer and director Paul King, who is most well-known for the Paddington movies, tackles it handily with this breezy and fun iteration of the classic Roald Dahl story.
We meet Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) as he’s entering town by boat. He’s looking to take on the well-established chocolatiers with his new candy creations. But he runs into trouble when he’s swindled by Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman), while looking for a place to stay. He unknowingly signs her scammy contract that makes it impossible for him to ever leave the hotel as he incurs debts for every action he takes–including walking up the stairs to his room.
In order to pay off his debts he must work in the basement laundry facility with others who have suffered a similar fate. He makes friends with Noodle (Calah Lane), who helps him escape the basement so he can pursue his dream of selling candy.
The premise is a kind of prequel, where we get to witness the beginning of Wonka as a candy maker. And the plot is helped along by songs that are enjoyable if not entirely memorable. The whimsical feel of the original movie is still here and Wonka is nothing if not a fun time.
King injects a certain level of political play into the story as the top chocolatiers have a monopoly and bribe the cops, namely a very hilarious and memorable Keegan-Michael Key, with chocolate to keep their stranglehold on the candy scene. The overarching theme is that money and greed has warped these candy makers and eliminated their love for their craft. And Wonka’s purity is the antidote to their gluttony. It’s not exactly hard hitting stuff, but this isn’t trying to be a commentary on the woes of capitalism and those in power. It’s for the kids, okay\
Chalamet does his best with this mammoth role but struggles to find his groove. His voice is adequate but nothing particularly special and he seems to oscillate between being over the top and then more diluted. He’s not as unpredictable as Wilder’s Wonka and he’s certainly less creepy than Depp’s version. Overall he is very enjoyable on screen and his mischeivaous face is easy to root for. He is overshadowed a bit by the hilarious performance from Hugh Grant as an Oompa-loompa. His biting wit and cheeky “I know this is ridiculous but I’m doing it anyway” looks are the few times in the movie where one might laugh aloud.
Wonka is a fun and creative movie that’s perfect for the whole family. It stands on it’s own as a separate entity to the 1971 original and provides a bit of fun back story for Willy as an individual. King’s now trademark sentimentality shines through each scene lending a sweetness fitting for a movie about chocolate. It’ll make adults feel like kids again. After all, what’s better than watching someone pursue their hatful of dreams?
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like the story of Willy Wonka
2. You like musicals
3. You want to watch something whimsical and silly
