With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 3 wins & 44 nominations total
Summary
Reviewers say 'Wonka' is a whimsical prequel with Timothée Chalamet's performance receiving mixed reactions compared to Gene Wilder. Hugh Grant's Oompa Loompa cameo is praised for humor. Musical numbers are divisive, with some finding them nostalgic and others forgettable. Vibrant visuals and production design are lauded. Themes of resilience and creativity are central, though darker elements from Dahl's work are missing. The film's age suitability is debated, and comparisons to previous Wonka films yield mixed opinions.
Featured reviews
How are the graphics for the new movie worse than the old movie ?
It literally makes no sense why the graphics are so bad You could of made the flying chocolate look more real
Too much singing And not enough catchy songs They should of spent more time on developing this and not having unneeded songs
I liked the oompa loompa I'm not sure why everyone was giving him a hard time
The ending was very endearing But, it's not what I wanted Focus on wonka Not noodles family situation
I wanted to give this a higher score The graphics ruined it for me There was definitely some funny parts The movie was entertaining Just the execution wasn't there.
It literally makes no sense why the graphics are so bad You could of made the flying chocolate look more real
Too much singing And not enough catchy songs They should of spent more time on developing this and not having unneeded songs
I liked the oompa loompa I'm not sure why everyone was giving him a hard time
The ending was very endearing But, it's not what I wanted Focus on wonka Not noodles family situation
I wanted to give this a higher score The graphics ruined it for me There was definitely some funny parts The movie was entertaining Just the execution wasn't there.
The beginning of the movie was promising, but then it became quite ridiculous and silly.
None of the songs in the movie were to my liking, with the exception of the opening song which was passable.
The acting was great, and Timothée Chalamet gave a very good performance.
I wouldn't say that I hated the movie, but it didn't do much for me either.
I think it would appeal to children more than adults.
I think the movie would have been better if more effort had been put into the screenplay and story.
I was so happy to see Charlotte Ritchie in the movie, even if it was just for a short time .
None of the songs in the movie were to my liking, with the exception of the opening song which was passable.
The acting was great, and Timothée Chalamet gave a very good performance.
I wouldn't say that I hated the movie, but it didn't do much for me either.
I think it would appeal to children more than adults.
I think the movie would have been better if more effort had been put into the screenplay and story.
I was so happy to see Charlotte Ritchie in the movie, even if it was just for a short time .
On paper, Wonka is a cynical cash grab of an idea but in the hands of the extremely talented duo of Paul King and Simon Farnaby it becomes another heartwarming story of a kind person who just wants to make the world a better place. Even if it feels its run time more than King and Faranby's previous work it still remains thoroughly entertaining and emotionally investing.
Timothée Chalamet lacks the darker edge with this interpretation of Willy Wonka and that really doesn't matter considering what the film is going for. His Wonka is innocent to a fault, morally pure with a high level of quirk that Chalamet is able to communicate in his enunciation and movement. It's a nice change of pace compared to his usual roles.
The supporting cast is full of comedians who take it in turns stealing scenes. Hugh Grant's Oompa Loompa is an uncanny highlight who takes a while to appear and is absolutely worth the wait. Paterson Joseph excels at playing a full on pantomime villain complimented by Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton to make for a delightfully evil trio.
Paul King's direction brings the expected whimsy with a nice level of energy to the musical numbers. The songs by Neil Hannon are generally fine, suitably entertaining in the moment without staying power so it successfully goes back to Pure Imagination a few times, with Joby Talbot's score happily sprinkling it in throughout.
Timothée Chalamet lacks the darker edge with this interpretation of Willy Wonka and that really doesn't matter considering what the film is going for. His Wonka is innocent to a fault, morally pure with a high level of quirk that Chalamet is able to communicate in his enunciation and movement. It's a nice change of pace compared to his usual roles.
The supporting cast is full of comedians who take it in turns stealing scenes. Hugh Grant's Oompa Loompa is an uncanny highlight who takes a while to appear and is absolutely worth the wait. Paterson Joseph excels at playing a full on pantomime villain complimented by Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton to make for a delightfully evil trio.
Paul King's direction brings the expected whimsy with a nice level of energy to the musical numbers. The songs by Neil Hannon are generally fine, suitably entertaining in the moment without staying power so it successfully goes back to Pure Imagination a few times, with Joby Talbot's score happily sprinkling it in throughout.
Paul King, the director behind the enchanting Paddington films entered the fold to direct a prequel to Gene Wilder's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately, this outing is overproduced and overdone. And just like chocolate; some things are best had in moderation. Roald Dahl's work in recent times has regrettably been tampered with to remove language related to race, gender, weight, and mental health that today's readers might deem offensive. This film feels like a continuation of that craven desire to be inoffensive. The result is a slightly safe and garden variety end-product which isn't much of a tribute to Dahl, if it even wanted to be.
For me, all things Willy Wonka should be almost like an experiential hallucination; self-contained, a bit mysterious, and open to interpretation, without the need for any elaborate backstory spelling things out. Wonka should be an experience, not a storyboard. He ought be unpredictable, a one-off. In the book he is innovative, flamboyant, stubborn, arrogant, and authoritarian. We saw the innovative and the flamboyant, but none of the rest. Or how those latter qualities might have taken, or were taking, shape. Timothee Chalamet's portrayal, for all its innocent charms and trinkets, simply did not have the comedic and deliciously unpredictable edge of either Wilder or Depp's Wonkas; the dimensionality just wasn't there. That "edge" would have bounced off the sassiness of the stubborn Oompa Loompa perfectly, helping the audience to see how Wonka wins them over (besides just a paltry supposed bribe of chocolate tasting). Here, it's Hugh Grant outsmarting, outshining, and outwitting a bumbling wide-smiling, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Wonka in most of the scenes they share. The musical genre of this film wasn't a bad call, given the iconic hit of Wilder's "Pure Imagination," why not try out a musical style? The original songs here could have a little more oomph, though, lyrically and musically. The trio of main villains were excellently cast, with Matt Lucas, Paterson Joseph (stealing the show), and Mathew Baynton. All three were a treat to see on-screen.
Overall this film is relatively unchallenging for children compared to Wilder's 1971 work under the original source material, or Tim Burton's satirical 2005 outing. Imagining Willy Wonka as sweet, cloying and one-toned as he's shown here with Chalamet doesn't quite hit the sweet spot.
6.8/10.
For me, all things Willy Wonka should be almost like an experiential hallucination; self-contained, a bit mysterious, and open to interpretation, without the need for any elaborate backstory spelling things out. Wonka should be an experience, not a storyboard. He ought be unpredictable, a one-off. In the book he is innovative, flamboyant, stubborn, arrogant, and authoritarian. We saw the innovative and the flamboyant, but none of the rest. Or how those latter qualities might have taken, or were taking, shape. Timothee Chalamet's portrayal, for all its innocent charms and trinkets, simply did not have the comedic and deliciously unpredictable edge of either Wilder or Depp's Wonkas; the dimensionality just wasn't there. That "edge" would have bounced off the sassiness of the stubborn Oompa Loompa perfectly, helping the audience to see how Wonka wins them over (besides just a paltry supposed bribe of chocolate tasting). Here, it's Hugh Grant outsmarting, outshining, and outwitting a bumbling wide-smiling, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Wonka in most of the scenes they share. The musical genre of this film wasn't a bad call, given the iconic hit of Wilder's "Pure Imagination," why not try out a musical style? The original songs here could have a little more oomph, though, lyrically and musically. The trio of main villains were excellently cast, with Matt Lucas, Paterson Joseph (stealing the show), and Mathew Baynton. All three were a treat to see on-screen.
Overall this film is relatively unchallenging for children compared to Wilder's 1971 work under the original source material, or Tim Burton's satirical 2005 outing. Imagining Willy Wonka as sweet, cloying and one-toned as he's shown here with Chalamet doesn't quite hit the sweet spot.
6.8/10.
I loved the original, hated the remake, this one sits in the middle somewhere. It's definitely a mixed bag. I googled Timothée Chalamet to see how old he was because had he been in his early twenties, I would have given him a pass for a very uninspired performance. As it is, he is 28. Old enough, with enough films under his small belt, to be better than he is.
I got the feeling he watched more Depp than Wilder, unfortunately. You could see it in the smile. Wilder was crazy good and there is no expectation for anyone to equal him, it would still be nice to be more imaginative with the role.
The storyline was a mish-mash of unfocused stereotypes and had a lack of real artistic heart. Someone sat with the script and tried to come up with what they thought an audience would want rather than what these characters and storylines demand. The story skipped around like a ball in a pinball machine. We get that it's fantasy, but at least create a world that functions on the basis of a well thought out set of rules. There was no world building here...just a snap of the fingers.
The music was the most disappointing of all, especially compared to the original songs utilized. When you have great songs like Pure Imagination, you gotta be at least good enough to sit in the same room...these new songs weren't good enough to sit outside in the hallway.
With all that said, this movie was charming in it's own way. Better than the typical superhero repeats, that's for sure.
I got the feeling he watched more Depp than Wilder, unfortunately. You could see it in the smile. Wilder was crazy good and there is no expectation for anyone to equal him, it would still be nice to be more imaginative with the role.
The storyline was a mish-mash of unfocused stereotypes and had a lack of real artistic heart. Someone sat with the script and tried to come up with what they thought an audience would want rather than what these characters and storylines demand. The story skipped around like a ball in a pinball machine. We get that it's fantasy, but at least create a world that functions on the basis of a well thought out set of rules. There was no world building here...just a snap of the fingers.
The music was the most disappointing of all, especially compared to the original songs utilized. When you have great songs like Pure Imagination, you gotta be at least good enough to sit in the same room...these new songs weren't good enough to sit outside in the hallway.
With all that said, this movie was charming in it's own way. Better than the typical superhero repeats, that's for sure.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the opening number, Willy Wonka drops a coin down a storm grate. In Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), Charlie Bucket finds a coin in the storm drain which allows him to get his golden ticket.
- GoofsWonka and the Oompa Loompa discuss Wonka's theft of four cocoa beans, when in fact what he stole were four cocoa pods, each of which contains many cocoa beans.
- Quotes
Willy Wonka: May I present, Willy Wonka's wild and wonderful wishy-washy Wonka walker! Please, don't make me say that again.
- Crazy creditsThe end credits feature one more Oompa Loompa song (summarizing what happened to several main characters after the film's end) followed by one more short scene with Mrs. Scrubitt & Bleacher.
- ConnectionsFeatured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Little Orange Nathan Lanes (2021)
- SoundtracksPure Imagination
Written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Arranged by Neil Hannon
Performed by Timothée Chalamet
- How long is Wonka?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Вонка
- Filming locations
- Bath, Somerset, England, UK(October 2021)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $125,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $218,402,312
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $39,005,800
- Dec 17, 2023
- Gross worldwide
- $634,502,312
- Runtime1 hour 56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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