‘Wonka’ Review : Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka Is One Of The Squarest Movie Musicals In Decades

Every fan of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971) cherishes the scene where Gene Wilder, as the whimsical candy maker, guides his guests on a trippy tunnel ride through the Chocolate Factory. Chanting a quirky verse and growing increasingly hysterical, Wilder's Wonka reveals a sweet yet hidden maniacal side.

In Tim Burton's 2005 remake, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Johnny Depp, at the peak of his stardom, fully embraced his eccentric style, portraying Wonka as a peculiar blend of Anna Wintour and Michael Jackson. The 2005 version added its own distinct touch to the beloved tale.

In the 2023 film 'Wonka,' Timothée Chalamet plays the main character with a heart full of goodness and a passion for chocolate. Willy, now around 25, returns to London after sailing the world for seven years in search of unique ingredients for his extraordinary candies. With whimsical recipes like the hoverchoc, a chocolate egg that makes you levitate, and a distinctive purple-coat ensemble, Willy's dream is simple: to share the joy of his magical candies and bring wonder to people all over the world.

To Willy, chocolate is more than just a sweet treat - it's a belief that can brighten one’s entire day, mood, and life. Timothée Chalamet's performance captures this infectious enthusiasm remarkably. Playing a character so genuinely keen and innocent requires a special charm, and Chalamet effortlessly exudes star charisma. 

As Willy, he expressed his boyish sweetness with a touch of sadness, a longing for his late mother (portrayed in flashbacks by Sally Hawkins), who passed on her love for chocolate-making. 

While Chalamet's expressive dark-eyed gaze hints at his thoughts, his heartfelt baritone singing and lines like "Get yourself some Wonka chocolate!" add to the wholesome charm. In the world of Hollywood musicals, "Wonka" stands out as the most traditional in years.

According to its plot, Willy arrives in London to open his first chocolate shop in the Galleries Gourmet, a grand mall housing the city's corrupt chocolatiers: Slugworth, the scheming ringleader; the snobbish Fickelgruber, disgusted by the poor; and the pompous Prodnose. With only 12 silver sovereigns, Willy spends it all, confident that once people taste his chocolate, he'll have funds for his dream shop. However, the villains, tasting his chocolate, plot to shut him down by manipulating the Chief of Police, a chocoholic doofus controlled by their underground sweet payoff. 

Some "Wonka" viewers felt it could have been a bigger hit with a touch more Roald Dahl essence and less child-friendly polishing. Neil Hannon's songs, while energetic, lack the enchantment until the iconic "Pure Imagination" reprisal from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," beautifully invoking nostalgia's sweet tooth.

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