Well, everyone, here we are at last! Today, we review a musical, and prequel to the classic 1971 musical film, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. So now, let’s review the prequel, simply known as Wonka, and starring Timothee Chalamet as the title character.
Plot: When an illiterate, but aspiring magician, inventor, and chocolatier named Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet) arrives in Europe by boat, he aspires to use his love for chocolate to make his own chocolate factory. But trouble brews, as corrupts members of a Chocolate Cartel try to prevent Willy Wonka from achieving his dream. With the help of an orphaned girl named Noodle (Calah Lane), and a few other friends from a launderette that he becomes part of, will Willy Wonka still be able to achieve his dream in the end?
Now, as some of us probably know already, Wonka has performed really well at the box office, between $150-200 million domestically thus far. So, after seeing this movie recently, are those numbers justified? Surprisingly, very much so! First of all, while watching Wonka, I found myself having a lot of fun with this film. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised if many other people that saw this movie felt the same way. To begin, if you go into this film expecting a generic, and typical Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory type of story, let’s just say that you’re most definitely in for a surprise. To begin, the storyline is one that, let’s just say you may, or may not expect for a Willy Wonka type of film. It is a film that incorporates some very valuable lessons, including learning to not give up, any struggles, and obstacles that come when a person tries to achieve his/her dreams, especially the right ones, learning when to trust the right people, and when you need to be careful not to trust the wrong ones, and, most importantly, the people that you share your dreams, and your life with. It is a film with both heroes, and villains, both character sides of which are written really well, thanks to the good pacing of the story, and some really fun songs, a couple of which were taken from the original film, and used for this film, while the others were original songs that were written for this prequel. Speaking of the songs, much like recent musicals like The Greatest Showman, one of Wonka’s greatest strengths comes from its beautiful, and well-crafted musical numbers. Granted, unlike with films like The Color Purple, Wonka didn’t have to have numbers to be more enjoyable. Not to mention that Wonka, though it had some heavy subjects here, and there, they weren’t as dark, or heavy-handed like with the newer version of the musical, The Color Purple. As a result, Wonka didn’t have to rely on the songs in order to have a partial light-hearted tone. Even so, having musical numbers in Wonka makes this film more fun, more upbeat, have more emotion, and heart to the story, and many other elements that help make for a good musical film, and good film period. As far as the numbers go, it was good to have songs like “Pure Imagination”, and “Oompa Loompa” included in this film, as they were the only songs from the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory movie. It was also great to have more additional original songs that were never in the original film as well. Oh, and did I forget to mention some of the really great choreography for this film? Yeah, this film has really great dancing moves, and even really cool tap dancing at one point, included in this movie. I’m not sure how long it took for the dancers, included the people that played the main characters, to get these moves down. What I will say is that it makes this film all the more enjoyable. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if, after watching this film, people would be interested in wanting to practice some of the dance moves, or even try out tap dancing afterwards. Heck, it also wouldn’t be surprising if some people wished that they were in the movie dancing with the characters at different points when some of the musical numbers occur. So, because of reasons like these, and more, it was probably for the best that this particular film was released during a time like Christmas last year. There was also really great character development involved with Wonka. Again, the songs most definitely helped make the characters shine. That went not only for Wonka himself, but also for characters like Noodle, most of the supporting cast, and, even the villains for this film. Man, were the villains even great characters as well. Not only do you love to hate them, but even they provide some rather comedic moments, including in their musical villain number, “Sweet Tooth”. Honestly, even if you might not find yourself loving all the musical numbers in Wonka, there will probably at least be a few that will stand out, and you’ll probably find yourself humming to. One other thing to mention about the numbers is that Wonka is one of those musicals that almost feels like it could have easily been made decades ago. I mean the songs almost, in a sense, seem to make a sort of callback to decades like the 1950s, 1960s, or probably even 1970s in particular. The reason being is that the songs almost have a feel of songs from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, it also has a feel of songs from musicals like Newsies, West Side Story, Fiddler On The Roof, and musicals like those. Now, for the other aspects of Wonka. There is also the directing by film director Paul King. Now, for those of you who are familiar with him, and the fact that he directed Wonka, you may also know him as the one who directed films like both Paddington, and it’s sequel, Paddington 2, some time ago, yes? Well, if you saw both of those movies, you may know that the cinematography, and lighting seemed very different, and unique from those of other films. It’s almost like in both of those movies, nearly every scene seemed symbolic in one sense, or another. Well, Wonka is no exception. When it comes to the backgrounds, be it in the daytime, or even at nighttime, Paul King, and the team seem to really capture when things are going well for our heroes, and shown by the lighter colors in a particular scene, as well as when they are either having sad, and depressing moments, or are even in perilous situations in the navy blue dark colors showing more somber, and tragic ones. And what more can I say? I suppose, in a shorter way, I could mention how this film does well with developing friendships, along with a romantic one between two of the film’s characters, how there are some funny characters, including the villains, and a character that is played by Rowan Atkinson, a hilarious mythical Oompa Loompa creature that is played by Hugh Grant, the score by Joby Talbot, along with Neil Hankon being the one to write the songs for this film, and a good amount of comedy that goes with Wonka, the bright, and colorful colors of shops, the chocolates, and more. In all honesty, if there were any flaws that could be found with the movie, it would be that some of the ending felt a little rushed in some aspects. I mean yes, for reasons that I won’t mention, you’ll probably find yourself enjoying how things come full circle by the end. However, in other ways, you’ll probably find yourself wishing that there ending was extended to a degree, and that things were to be slightly different by the end. Granted, not by much, but still. Nevertheless, for what the beginning, middle, and even ending are, you’ll still find yourself having a lot of fun while watching Wonka, and leave with a smile on your face.
And that’s my review for Wonka. Wonka is one of those musicals, and films overall, that, after seeing it, you’ll find yourself glad that you did in the end. Truly, with musical films like this one, along with other more recent ones like In The Heights, Mary Poppins Returns, and especially The Greatest Showman, we are truly in an age where musical films seem to be well accepted once again, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Wonka serves as proof that even prequels can have a good storyline when given to the right directors that know how to make a really good story. Wonka has some really fun music, excellent choreography, well-thought out characters that are both well-written, and funny, beautiful cinematography, scenes that are very symbolic, great action at times, and even more than one can ask for. After seeing this film around the beginning of January, I can most definitely see why Wonka has been as popular as it’s been in the end. It is truly a fun film in which you’ll see it, and enjoy it for the music, and memorable characters, and leave with a smile on your face, despite most likely feeling ambivalent about some aspects of the ending. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see Wonka yet, please make a point to! It is truly one that you’ll want to see it in the theater for, especially if you like musicals, or have enjoyed either Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, or even Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. So, again, go see it, and see what you think!
Final Grade: A
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 