Wonka

As someone who last saw Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) in the early 1980s and preferred the book back then, and as a film lover who never saw Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation, it’s safe to say I was not looking for a franchise reboot. That is, until I saw that the director of the two Paddington movies, Paul King, was involved. I’m sure glad I gave it a chance.

Wonka is an unexpectedly sweet delight. King has delivered an unapologetically, old-fashioned musical treat that may be too sugary for those expecting the cynical and edgy devilishness of Johnny Depp’s recent take.

In a word, it’s charming.

Willy, a young man and chocolate maker now played by Timothee Chalamet in all his boyish sweetness, arrives in London with hopes that his confectionary treats will be discovered so that he can open his own shop. His hat is full of tricks and imaginations that come to life filling the first hour or more of the film with visual wonder, dazzling ensemble numbers and the spirit of limitless imagination.

The movie’s songs, written by Neil Hannon, move the plot along but you won’t remember any of them after this. Ironically, the film utilizes two original film songs “Pure Imagination” and the “Oompa Loompa”, which are both earworms.

I can only find criticism in that Wonka is challenged to provide more depth than an escape, and that the final half hour spends more focus on wrapping up a silly good-guy bad-guy plot.

Chalamet is a warm and winning Willy Wonka and this film surprised me. I’m not sure if this Ted Lasso-inspired goodness is a wholesome new trend or if the makers of the film have a surely dreadful trilogy planned where he starts out saintly before landing on the dark side, but I choose to think that King wanted to make a fully delightful film and succeeded.

In a nutshell: Surprisingly sweet and just the right dose of fun for a film released around the holidays. It’s this season’s golden ticket for the whole family.

Where to find it: In theaters. Opens Friday, December 15.

Would it be better with Olivia Colman: Surprise. Surprise. She’s in it (in a Miss Hannigan-type role) as is Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson), Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), Sally Hawkins, Keegan Michael Key— and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa.

Award potential: It has the best shot at the Golden Globes which awards comedy/musical.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.