WONKA

A prequel to Roald Dahls childhood classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka sees a young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) travel to Europe to make his fortune. With twelve silver sovereigns in his pocket he finds himself met with unexpected opposition in the chocolate Cartel (Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Mathew Baynton).

It is a prequel that not many will have expected, but with the news that Paddington director Paul King was going to be at the helm of it, expectations slowly began to rise.

And it is a pleasure to say that these expectations were absolutely justified, as Wonka takes all of the warmth, humour and love for the source material of the Paddington films, and add sure fire favourite songs to the mix to make it one of the most purely enjoyable cinema experiences of the year.

Before we get into things, however, I think it is important to say that while this is, nominally, a sequel to the 1971 Gene Wilder version, you will get the most enjoyment out of this Wonka, if you try to forget about that. Take Chalamets Wonka as his own - exceedingly enjoyable - interpretation of the character, without any of the baggage of trying to fill Wilders boots.

Chalamets Wonka is one full of innocence, and misplaced trust. One who believes in the goodness of everyone, despite how often he is shown it doesn’t always exist. It perhaps isn’t a character that I could see growing into Wilder or Depps version, but is one that totally makes sense in the context of this film. 

Because Wonka is lighter than either of the interpretations that have come before. The wonder, the nonsense remains, but it is the aforementioned innocence that sets it apart. I have seen elsewhere some criticisms that the darkness of Wilders version especially is missing here, but it would, to me, have felt misplaced if it had been included. 

This is 100% a family feel good film, and writer director King, as well as co-writer Simon Farnaby, deserve credit for making something that is so entirely them. This may be, in name, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel, but in reality it is far more a spiritual successor to Paddington.

Alongside Chalamet is a whose who of British comedy. Olivia Colman, Tom Davis, Charlotte Ritchie, Rakhee Thakrar and Rowan Atkinson to name but a few. Not forgetting Phil Wang who has one of the films most laugh out loud funny moments.

But it is relative newcomer Calah Lane that really shines. Playing Noodle, and orphan who befriends Willy and helps him in his chocolate enterprise, and she is a true standout of the film. She manages to convey the characters pain and sorrow of her past, but also the hope that Willy affords her, with the ease of a seasoned professional.

Her performance of the song For a Moment, a show stopping turn in what is already a spectacular movie.

Hugh Grant is also here as an Oompa Loompa, and while not in a huge number of scenes his presence brought me an obscene amount of joy whenever he was.

The songs, written by The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon, are as witty and charming as you would expect them to be from the man behind The National Express and The Gin Soaked Boy, harbouring real emotion behind a facade of silliness and nonsense. Hannon contributed seven original songs to the film and not a single one of them lets the side down.

From A Hatful of Dreams, showing Wonkas optimism as well as his vulnerability - to For a Moment, A beautifully poignant ballad, mixed with Willy’s trademark wackiness - to You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This, a big booming show tune, each song becomes instantly recognisable, and the soundtrack a guaranteed favourite in households up and down the country.

Another thing that Wonka gets absolutely right is the design and look of the chocolate and confectionaries themselves. It is absolutely believable, when just looking at them on the screen, that the public would go wild for these sweets. Even without the mystical and magical powers that some of them possess, Wonka makes you want to try them for yourself.

It is a film that looks incredible from start to finish. The set design, the costumes, everything fits within this world. It is an exaggerated, nonsensical version of Europe, but the look and feel of it still manage to make perfect sense in the context of the film.

Wonka is an infinitely charming, fun filled, theatrical delight that has shot straight into my top few films of 2023. So buy a ticket, then settle up and listen down.

Nope, scratch that. Reverse it!