Many promising individuals travel abroad with money and time in their pockets, searching for opportunities. In the case of one down-on-his-luck entrepreneur, however, the absurd and wondrous capabilities of creativity pave a path towards success. But this is no ordinary inventor, either. Yes, he is a character born of none other than renowned author Roald Dahl’s mind, one that has become beloved by millions across the globe: Willy Wonka. Enter a world of your imagination with Warner Bros.’s new original film, Wonka, directed by Paul King!
The movie delves into the backstory of this eccentric chocolatier, and how an unlikely group of oddballs allowed him to construct the chocolate factory we know and love today. King’s heartwarming original story not only succeeds in entertaining audiences, but weaves in seamlessly with the works of Dahl.
Starting in the mid-20th century, a young Wonka arrives in England carrying nothing but his trusty briefcase, a comically spacious hat, and a grand total of 12 silver sovereigns to his name, although this money is quickly lost to scams and sheer misfortune. With no coins to even afford a place to stay, he is manipulated by two inn owners by the ridiculous names of Bleacher and Mrs. Scrubbit into a debt of thousands of sovereigns he must pay through hard labor at a launderette. To make matters worse, after presenting his bizarre and delicious product to the public, he attracts the attention of three rival chocolatiers known as “The Chocolate Cartel,” who become intent on bringing about his downfall. However, it doesn’t stop him from assembling other miserable laundry workers to achieve his dream of opening a chocolate shop.
Wonka traverses through several unusual ordeals in this quest, from collecting a giraffe’s milk for creating his sweet treats to exposing the cartel by infiltrating their underground vault. But he never fails to keep an infectiously positive attitude, which, combined with his brilliant mind, becomes an unstoppable force against the greatest of odds.
With vibrant displays throughout the entire movie, it is no wonder Wonka has earned itself a solid 4.0/5 rating from critics, along with a nomination for the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor (in celebration of Timothée Chalamet’s outstanding performance as the chocolatier himself) and a Hollywood Music in Media Award.
With every scene, colorful and whimsical fun presents itself for audiences to experience. But despite the film’s positive reviews for stunning visual effects, excellent acting, and of course, music, some flaws prevented it from obtaining a perfect reception. Some viewers have expressed that the vivid elements introduced in the movie are almost too flamboyant and too much to grasp, distracting them from the actual story.
As for my opinion, the film was certainly a dazzling show filled with both charm and comedic moments. However, the feel-good attitude made events extremely easy to predict, failing to capitalize on novel ideas that would have made the movie more exciting. The story matched almost every cliché imaginable, be it Wonka encountering obstacles by sheer coincidence or somehow creating solutions in an instant without struggle, making even plot twists somewhat disappointing. But that’s not to say that this weakness should completely prevent people from enjoying it! Overall, Wonka is an amazing success in acting and visual appearance, appealing to curious moviegoers and fans of Roald Dahl alike.
Photo courtesy of JOBBA
