Wonka will hit theaters this Christmas, just in time for family outings, and I think it’s a wonderful movie for all ages. This is the third film about the classic Roald Dahl character Willy Wonka, and instead of an adaptation of the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this movie tells the Willy Wonka origin story.
How could someone become “Willy Wonka”? Well, it turns out – with a dream, some mad chocolate making skills, and the ability to sing and dance, too!
Willy Wonka’s Story
Wonka shows us the beginnings of Willy Wonka, the start of his building his chocolate empire, and tells us how he became the man behind the magic.
This film uses music and song to tell his story, and it’s sprinkled with some magic as well. Although to be clear, it’s not all smooth sailing for Willy Wonka; in fact he faces many hurdles and challenges along the way, including some very serious and dangerous ones.
But he faces all those challenges head on and with great gusto. This Will Wonka is enjoying life. And who can blame him – he creates the world’s best chocolate, after all.
Throughout the film, we see Willy Wonka’s passion and drive – and above all, he keeps his dream alive. A great lesson for all of us!
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The Team Who Made the Movie
Wonka was made by a skilled team of artists. Writer/Director Paul King was the writer/director of the “Paddington” films as well, and he’s cast some of the Paddington stars here, too. Producer David Heyman, who also produced “Harry Potter,” “Gravity,” “Fantastic Beasts” and “Paddington,” and producers Alexandra Derbyshire (the “Paddington” films, “Jurassic World: Dominion”) and Luke Kelly (“Roald Dahl’s The Witches”), all help bring this delightful film to life.
Wonka stars Timothée Chalamet in the title role, and starring alongside him are Calah Lane (“The Day Shall Come”) as Noodle, Emmy and Peabody Award winner Keegan-Michael Key (“The Prom,” “Schmigadoon”), Paterson Joseph (“Vigil,” “Noughts + Crosses”), Matt Lucas (“Paddington,” “Little Britain”), Mathew Baynton (“The Wrong Mans,” “Ghosts”), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water,” the “Paddington” films, “Spencer”), Rowan Atkinson (the “Johnny English” and “Mr. Bean” films, “Love Actually”), Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”), with Oscar winner Olivia Colman (“The Favourite,” “The Lost Daughter”) and Hugh Grant (“Paddington 2,” “A Very English Scandal”).
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The Story of Wonka
As the movie begins, Willy Wonka arrives by boat in an unnamed city where he’s wanted to come his whole life. Why? Because this City is where the best chocolate is made and sold, and he knows this is where he needs to be, so he can sell his chocolate to the world.
With his dream in his heart, and his spirits high, but without a lot of money or practical ideas for how to get started, Willy has to learn the hard way that there are some people in the world whose motives are not pure. But he doesn’t let that stop him.
Relying on his charm and wit, and driven by his dreams, Willy manages to figure out the way out of bad situations, all while singing and dancing and generally being delightful.
For younger kids: while there are situations where Willy and his friends are taken advantage of in the film, it doesn’t ever quite get to the level of peril that might make kids afraid. There’s an overall lightness in tone to the film, even though there is a scene where it seems like Willy may drown in a vat of chocolate. Luckily, he’s saved in the nick of time!
The Music and Sets
Wonka is big screen spectacle, ideal for a holiday family viewing, and will probably stand up to many repeat viewings over time.
The songs are all new to us, with the exception of the final one, which is from the 1971 film, and which ties together the mythology of the beginning of Willy Wonka’s story, and the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which is also the book these films are all based on.
The dance scenes are choreography are fanciful and elaborate, and you’re sure to wonder more than once – how did they do that?
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Official Trailer and Description
“Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.”
Screening
MomsLA was invited to an advanced screening of the film in IMAX, which is a terrific format to see Wonka, if you have an IMAX theater near you. The film is well-suited to a giant screen and theatrical format, making it well worth the price of admission.
