DAVID ADAMS finds ‘Wonka’ an uplifting and whimsical delight…
Wonka (AU – PG/UK – PG/US – PG)
In a word: Delectable
Timothée Chalamet stars as chocolatier Willy Wonka in ‘Wonka’. PICTURE: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
A prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Paul King-directed Wonka is a delightful, uplifting musical with plenty of the quirks and oddities for which the character of Willy Wonka is known.
“Timothée Chalamet puts in a stellar performance as the whimsical Willy Wonka, a young man driven by his dream of opening a chocolate shop where he sells the greatest chocolate ever made (the secret for which was handed down by his sadly deceased mother).”
Timothée Chalamet puts in a stellar performance as the whimsical Willy Wonka, a poor and somewhat naive young man driven by his dream of opening a chocolate shop where he sells the greatest chocolate ever made (the secret for which was handed down by his sadly deceased mother).
But to do so, he must overcome the villainous Mrs Scrubbit (Olivia Coleman) and her offsider Bleacher (Tom Davis) as well as face down the evil ‘chocolate cartel’ – Messers Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton) and Prodnose (Matt Lucas) – who use their chocolate to ensure the co-operation of the local police chief (Keegan-Michael Key) and respected cleric (Rowan Atkinson) in bringing about what they hope will be Wonka’s downfall.
Wonka introduces a panoply of new characters – including Wonka supporters such as Noodle (Calah Lane) and Abacus Crunch (Jim Carter) – but there’s a few that will be familiar to those who have watched previous Willy Wonka movies including ever-fascinating Oompa-Loompas – in this case represented by a decidedly diminuative Hugh Grant.
With an engaging storyline and exceptional cast, Wonka is a triumph of imaginative story-telling, successfully capturing and then extending the story of Roald Dahl’s beloved (and a little feared) chocolate-maker.
An effervescent treat for the senses, Wonka comes packed with humour, clever repartee and visual delights as well as moments of pathos and insight. It brings to the screen strong messages surrounding the value of friendship, overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Sweet without being overly confected, it’s one film well worth sinking your teeth into.
