Wonka

Cruella and Maleficent got an origin story. So did Mike & Sulley with Monsters University. Buzz Lightyear, too. Disney’s penchant for taking an iconic character and fashioning a prequel has rubbed off on Warner Bros Pictures. Wonka is a musical fantasy that recounts the early history of a young Willy Wonka before he became a chocolate maker. This is the third picture based on the Roald Dahl book. I’m a big fan of the 1971 adaptation and Gene Wilder’s misanthropic portrayal. I was guarded and set my expectations low. The good news? I didn’t hate it.

If I were to describe the latest in three words, it would be: colorful, pleasant, and safe. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but it could’ve been a lot worse. This is not a disaster. The production values are vibrant and fun. Paddington director Paul King co-wrote the screenplay. He has created a confection squarely aimed at children. Adult fans who grew up watching and re-watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (guilty) should “Wonka-vision” their preconceived notions — that is — shrink them. He is an entirely different individual here. Wonka dresses like the man he would become, but his personality bears absolutely no resemblance to Gene Wilder’s interpretation who wanted to teach misbehaving kids a lesson.

Timothée Chalamet is a sweet, happy-go-lucky chap. The adventure has the aspiring candy maker arriving in some unspecified European city that resembles a mixture of London and Paris. The chocolatier dreams of opening his candy shop in the city center. However, he’ll have to contend with three other celebrated chocolate shops run by Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Gerald Prodnose (Matt Lucas), and Felix Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton). The trio form an evil cartel that doesn’t want him to succeed. They have the full support of the chief of police (Keegan-Michael Key) and a corrupt priest (Rowan Atkinson). That sounds like the basis for a seditious account on paper, but it is much happier and upbeat, as presented here.

Wonka is a tame affair. Roald Dahl had a provocative wit. The legendary author infused his subversive take when Dahl adapted his novel for the 1971 film. It was a welcome tonic to the antiseptic goody-goody moppets in conventional children’s entertainment. His children were surprisingly nasty, and Willy Wonka had no reservations about calling them out on it. However, this version of Willy Wonka is a complete 180. He’s “sugar and spice, and everything nice.” Not a hint of sarcasm or snark. He has a warm camaraderie with an orphan girl named Noodle (Calah Lane), who becomes his assistant. Wonka’s cheerful demeanor must have endured some dark developments later. Perhaps that will be in the inevitable sequel.

Despite the lack of connective tissue to the classic movie, there are a few nods to its creativity. Hugh Grant is hilariously cast as the first Oompa Loompa. He sings the signature song with the same melody. The ditty “Pure Imagination” pops up, too. The rest of the tunes aren’t as memorable, but kids will enjoy them. “A World of Your Own” has a certain Beatlesque quality that suggests “Penny Lane.” It became an earworm after my repeated listens on Spotify. When this flick is streamed constantly by kids at home, parents will likely grow to love the music. I found Wonka to be an enjoyable experience but a distant second to the original.

12-14-23