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| Images courtesy of Warner Bros. |
No one was ever going to live up to Gene Wilder's version of Willy Wonka. And luckily we're far beyond Tim Burton's whacked out and undeniably creepy take on the character.
For this holiday season, audiences will be treated to a prequel to the classic movie that sees actor Timothée Chalamet take up the eccentric role of candy genius Wonka in his early years as he attempts to open his chocolate factory despite a trio of candy barons that have staked claim to the city. Fans of the original 1971 film will have plenty to chew on here with Chalamet as an absolute delight to watch, switching up from his darker roles to a much leaner and comedic one that shows his growth as a shining star with dynamism and a certain youthful glow.
Trepidation should be set aside around this movie. Many have feared for the worst, expecting another off-putting rendition that could harm the legacy of Wilder's turn as the character. This is a true prequel of sorts that does nothing to walk on its predecessor. Instead, this Wonka adds new luster to the Wonka story, showing his passions for sweet treats and wondrous musical numbers that are infused in magical dance routines and one grinning Hugh Grant as the hilarious original Oompa Loompa. This origin tale expands on what we already know and gives Willy an endearing back story as he challenges the establishment and sets up shop despite the odds.
Wonka subverts all expectations by becoming a prequel that actually adds to the sheen of the first movie, never stealing or borrowing, but offering a highly original spin that lets Chalamet shine throughout. He's splendidly supported by an amazing cast that uses Keegan-Michael Key to his fullest comedic talents. Wonka is very much like 2018's Mary Poppins Returns, making fair use of callbacks and situations that continually add to the mythology of this chocolate wonder while feeling just familiar enough.
Chalamet's performance continually nods to Wilder and adds a careful amount of detail to his younger years. He has the physicality and comedic timing down pat making this feel even more like a direct connection to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. There is a core story here about friends and family that is mostly missing these days from cinema. Paddington director Paul King directs the film with a sleight of hand that feels like a return to a more innocent time in movies that doesn't drown us in sappiness or melodrama.
Wonka is a tasty morsel of goodness that really does want to be from a lost time in film when characters could be goofy, silly, or innocent with zero time spent on anything brooding or dark. Tim Burton be damned. This take on Wonka is a refreshing one that makes great use of visual effects, music and a sense of wonderment that we could all use a little more of. It's too bad that the marketing hasn't put a spotlight on the music of this movie because that's one of the best parts of this long awaited and oft dismissed prequel.
-CG