British author Roald Dahl’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was published in the US in 1964 to instant success. The book caught the attention of filmmaker Mel Stuart and producer David Wolper, who decided to adapt it to film. Released in 1971, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory received critical acclaim but wasn’t a huge financial hit. Over time, the film found its audience through repeated television viewings and home video, becoming a beloved classic. In 2005, Tim Burton directed the remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which stuck closer to the original novel. While the film remains divisive, it was a massive financial success, grossing $475 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. In 2016, Warner Bros. reacquired the rights to Willy Wonka and announced the development of a new prequel film. After years of production and marketing, Wonka premiered in October 2023 before its worldwide December release.
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Synopsis
Since childhood, Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) has dreamed of opening a chocolate shop at the Galeries Gourmet. Unfortunately, through a series of circumstances, he’s forced to work for the devious Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Colman). To try to pay off the overwhelming debt he owes, Wonka goes out to Galeries Gourmet to sell his chocolate. However, he’s stopped by rival chocolatiers Mr. Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Mr. Prodnose (Matt Lucas), and Mr. Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). Known as The Chocolate Cartel, they control all candy production, bribing a priest (Rowan Atkinson) and the chief-of-police (Keegan-Michael Key). With help from other people forced into Mrs. Scrubitt’s servitude, Wonka vows to make his dreams a reality. Along the way, he contends with the police, Mrs. Scrubitt’s assistant, Bleacher (Tom Davis), and an Oompa Loompa (Hugh Grant). As Wonka’s mother told him, “Every good thing in this world started with a dream.”
Review
Like many people, I was immediately skeptical about this movie when I first heard about it. The original is such a timeless classic, and the 2005 version, while not great, stuck closer to the source material. It seemed pointless to revisit this material for a third time, let alone make a prequel to the original film. Thankfully, I’m happy that Wonka exceeded my expectations, living up to the 1971 classic while working on its merits. First off, Timothée Chalamet does a great job as the youthful Willy Wonka, whose unbreakable optimism is contagious. He gives the role a ton of charisma and wit that honors Gene Wilder without appearing as an imitation. You genuinely want to see him succeed and overcome the odds, even as things seem more dire. It helps that he has a solid singing voice, and the songs are incredibly catchy.
The rest of the cast does a commendable job, mostly playing it up for laughs and mugging for the camera. The one exception is Calah Lane as the orphan girl, Noodle, who becomes fast friends with Wonka. She plays her part straight and works as an anchor for Chalamet’s unbridled positivity that keeps the film grounded. Hugh Grant also stands out as Lofty, an Oompa-Loompa pursuing Wonka and stealing his chocolate to compensate for his failures. The production design is on another level, with fantastic sets and elaborate effects, justifying the film’s $125 million budget. Paul King does a great job keeping the pacing moving without rushing or dragging things out. The movie breezes at barely two hours long and never feels bogged down by unnecessary filler scenes. It’s a fun experience that the whole family can enjoy and get something out of.
If I had any complaints, I’d say that while the first two acts are solid, the third somewhat falls apart. The movie goes from a heartwarming journey of making one’s dreams come true to a heist film. Granted, it’s not enough to ruin the movie as it is overall enjoyable, but it is worth pointing out. Also, as whimsical as the film is, it’s not afraid to tackle some darker subject matter. It’s nothing challenging or life-altering but more than what you’d expect from a lighthearted family film. While I wouldn’t say it’s better than the Mel Stuart original, this makes for a good companion piece. But you’ll find something to enjoy whether you’ve seen the other two movies or haven’t heard of the source material. Overall, Wonka is an enjoyable, wholesome movie that reminds us to pursue our dreams and see the magic around us.
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