What’s It About
The story will focus specifically on a young Willy Wonka and how he met the Oompa-Loompas on one of his earliest adventures.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Set in an unnamed island city in England, Wonka is an unexpected musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic 1964 children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This is a 2024 theatrical family film; therefore, it features a diverse cast, predominantly white, with some Black and Asian characters representing various social classes. Targeting fans of Dahl and previous adaptations, Wonka obviously caters to fans of Timothée Chalamet. Wonka opens with a cartoonish musical, offering an adoring origin story of chocolate maestro Willy Wonka. However, one of Wonka’s downfalls is that there are too many villains, including Mrs. Scrubitt, a cartel trio, and a corrupt cleric named Father Julius. A subplot involving an adorable giraffe named Abigail adds to the narrative complexity and the alliance that four of Mrs. Scrubitt’s employees formed. One of those employees, Noodle, offers a strong foundation, but the film quickly moves the story away from taking significant narrative risks. Instead, Willy’s illiteracy, an unconventional and utterly unnecessary twist, is overshadowed by predictability in other aspects. One highlight is Hugh Grant’s scene-stealing portrayal of an Oompa Loompa, injecting amusing saltiness into the green-haired character. The limited screen time for Grant’s Oompa Loompa character is a missed opportunity, leaving viewers to ponder the potential impact of a different dynamic with Willy. The musical numbers, though good, lack a mind-blowing quality. Chalamet’s stage-like performance, occasionally bordering on overacting, might be divisive among audiences. Lane’s portrayal of Noodle stands out, but supporting characters are written broadly and lean towards generic stereotypes. The film’s standout feature is its production design, creating a vibrant and imaginative world reminiscent of a candy-coated playground. As the story unfolds, a nostalgic nod to the iconic song “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film pays homage to its influence while emphasizing “Wonka’s” distinct place in cinematic history. Despite its strengths, the film falls short of reaching the cinematic heights of its predecessor. When will Hollywood learn to leave the classics alone?
OUR RATING – A DREAM FILLED 6
MEDIA
- Genre – Fantasy
- Street date
- Digital – January 30, 2024
- DVD/Blu-Ray/4K – February 27, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 2.39:1
- Sound – English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
- Subtitles – English SDH, French, Spanish
Extras
- Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King’s Vision
- Revered director Paul King takes you on a deep dive into his experience adapting the beloved story of Wonka.
- The Whimsical Music of Wonka?
- composer Joby Talbot and songwriter Neil Hannon take you into the studio to illuminate the craft behind the wondrous songs of the film.
- Welcome to Wonka Land?
- Production designer Nathan Crowley and the rest of the “Wonka” crew discuss creating the magical sets that transport audiences to the worlds of the film.
- Hats Off to Wonka
- Costume designer Lindy Hemming breaks down the inspiration and intention behind each of the character’s wonderful costumes.
- Wonka’s Chocolatier?
Chocolatier Gabriella Cugno provides an in-depth look at the creation of the beautiful chocolates seen in “Wonka.”