Wonka

The original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was an iconic, engaging, and exciting film with horror and comedic elements. However, the film leaves the audience questioning Willy Wonka’s backstory and how he began his career. This prequel helps to answer some of these questions in a humorous and heartwarming manner. This musical comedy tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, a poor young man who has dreams of opening a chocolate factory. 

Some viewers believe Chalamet nailed the role of Willy Wonka, but some others think that his performance did not feel like the Willy Wonka they saw on the screen and loved as kids. This is because Timothée Chalamet had a different take on the character of Willy Wonka, making it his own. Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder were more peculiar, sinister, and sly as Wonka, while Timothée was a very innocent and trusting  Wonka with a  mischievous side. This could be a choice based on the innocence of the character at the time.  Chalamet shares the spotlight with his fellow cast members: Hugh Grant, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, and Olivia Colman. 

Wonka started off 2024 as number 1 in  box offices across the world, reaching approximately $510 million in ticket sales. It is a colorful film with a mix of adventure, fantasy, and comedy, with an entertaining amount of singing and dancing. It has an 83% critic and 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes which leads many people to believe that it is worthwhile. Some people hold the opinion that Wonka is a little too much and leaves you feeling “more worked over” than energized. Nevertheless, it is a whimsical, entertaining, and wonderful addition to the iconic world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. Overall it was an enjoyable film; it was family-friendly, funny, and imaginative.  Wonka is now streaming on various channels including Max, Youtube and Amazon Prime.