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Charming, Witty, and Brilliant Family Fun.
4.5/5
By Isabella Poderico
Despite being a long time coming, Paul King’s prequel take on the wacky Willy Wonka has certainly not disappointed. I must admit I have a particular attachment to this film, as I watched most of the filming occur in Oxford about two years ago now, since then I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release day to arrive. Fortunately I was lucky enough to be able to attend the cast and crew screening, and my goodness you could sense the excitement, the sense of anticipation and accomplishment in the air. Despite the movie mostly being filmed during COVID, the cast and crew have done a marvelous job at creating a fresh take on an old tale, creating a satisfyingly sweet world filled with bold and brilliant characters, outstanding performances, and of course lots and lots of chocolate. Wonka isn't explicitly a festive film, but it certainly feels like this year's best Christmas film with its whimsical, mellow and indulgent atmosphere, which beckons you in for more.
The first thing I will mention is that the trailer absolutely does not do the film justice. I was concerned that Wonka would be a little too cringe worthy, obnoxiously wild and absolutely unhinged, but it most certainly is not. It’s brilliantly funny and creative while also telling a tale about love, friendship, and big dreams, which you would expect from a family film. The story is told in a fabulously comedic and compassionate way, filled with charm leaving the viewers with an aching sweet tooth, but still indulging further in the story. Every character is fully developed and relevant to the plot in one way or another, each being totally individual and unique. The most stand out performances were those from Coleman, Chalamet and Lane.
This film is most certainly fantastic for families and one of the best family friendly films to come out in recent years, but will appeal to mature watchers too. In times as turbulent as these, everyone needs a tale of perseverance and accomplishment as a source of inspiration, which wonka certainly achieves. The narrative is fast paced and entertaining as to not bore little ones, yet still is capable of captivating the masses (although I sense a lot was cut from the movie and I would love to see an extended cut). It’s a tricky game juggling multiple plot points and attaining the attention of younger audiences. Regardless, Wonka succeeds in this through its delightful alluring visuals and charismatic comedy.
Wonka lovingly pays tribute in numerous ways to the original Gene Wilder version, with both striking visual and musical references, creating a unique nod to the original, whilst exploring something new. Multiple catchy musical numbers appear in the film yet they are not overbearing, suitably fitting the scenes they are woven into, without being excessively cheesy or random. Most surprisingly is the genuinely impressive singing performances by all cast members, as none are renowned for their singing. Perhaps other than Bayton who is known for his appearance in Horrible Histories “Charles II King of Bling”. The musical numbers are not too imposing or distracting, rather being perfectly whimsical and enjoyable. Chalamet takes the lead singing most songs, which is obscenely different from his previous roles whereby he has played cannibals, kings and summer lovers. However, his singing voice is perfectly pleasant, with the songs obviously being carefully crafted around his vocal range.
Despite having American leads, the rest of the cast is made up almost exclusively of British 00s icons, with not-so-subtle nods to television shows such as Peep Show, having both Olivia Coleman and Isy Suttie in, as well as Horrible Histories stars Mathew Bayton and Simon Farnaby appearing in the movie. Even comedian Phil Wang makes a musical debut for a scene, reeling in not just fans of Roald Dahl but fans of comedy. The casting is exceptionally done, with each perfectly fitting the role they play, enhancing the characters to their full eccentric potential, effectively constructing a world filled with notable protagonists and antagonists. Although Chalamet frequently takes on more serious and hard hitting roles, Wonka allows him to take on this role of a lifetime, portraying the much loved chocolatier. Being a big budget family film, his portrayal of Wonka allows him to display an emotional spectrum, as the film notes the highs, and lows of Willy Wonka's early life, with this portrayal done radiantly. Chalamet has not allowed himself to become type-cast into any particular role style, showing off his ability to act in any film from Blockbuster to small budget. Unlike other cast members such as Atkinson, who frequently portray similar characters.
Overall I expect this film to exceed the majority's expectation, as it certainly surpassed mine. I will be adventuring back to the cinema in order to re-watch this remarkable remake of a classic and much loved tale. Wonka is definitely one to watch on its cinematic release on the 8th of December.
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