The Reel Review
Willie Wonka moves to the big city to pursue his dream of becoming a chocolatier, only to learn that the industry is being controlled by a secret cartel of corrupt confectioners. So Wonka decides to use his wit and a bit of magic to make his dream a reality. Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins star in this musical prequel to 1971’s Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Helmed by the team behind the two Paddington films, Wonka is a nostalgic delight, chocked full of throwbacks to the original classic, including a couple of songs – “Pure Imagination” and “Oompa Loompa” – the latter with some updated lyrics. Some not-so-great singing aside, the angelic-faced Chalamet impressively channels the late Gene Wilder in his exuberant performance. Olivia Colman is, as always, terrific, this time as a crooked innkeeper with Sally Hawkins giving us all the feels as Wonka’s kindhearted late mother, also a chocolatier. It is Hugh Grant, however, who steals the show as Lofty, a very grumpy Oompa Loompa.
The weakest part of Wonka is the songs, serviceable yet forgettable except for the two from the original film. But with its vibrant sets and costumes and clever storytelling, director Paul King’s whimsical fantasy relishes in all its visual glory, capped by a sweet, heartfelt finalé.
REEL FACTS
• Timothée Chalamet and Tom Holland were the two finalists for the lead role in Wonka.
• Initially director Paul King wanted to add a character from the original 1971 classic, tapping British comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor, but Brooke-Taylor died of COVID-19 during the 2020 pandemic, prompting King to abandon the idea.
• Director Paul King says he gained about 50 pounds from all the chocolate he ate on set. Timothée Chalamet got sick several times during filming from eating too much chocolate.
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