The 2023 fun – filled musical pays homage to late author Roald Dahl’s iconic, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’.
Director, Paul King adds a sweet ingredient to this already popular movie, creating his own twist on the tale of character Willy Wonka. With the help of an all-star cast, this movie served happiness to all. After its release on Friday December 15, it has already earned an 83% rating on rotten tomatoes.
Timothee Chalamet plays a young ‘Wonka’ attempting to seek a sweet fortune by selling quirky chocolates and tasty treats, with the chocolate cartel, an oompa Loompa, and musical numbers getting in the way of his success. Chalamet’s whimsical and childlike ways make his character so loveable to viewers, with them rooting for his chocolate creations to succeed, almost forgetting Willy Wonka did in fact make it as a world – class chocolatier. King’s twist to the original movie adds enchantment and bewilderment. Along with the magical musical scenes, it feels like a whole new movie: “Take the cruelty out of one element of a Dahl story, and it’s apt to pop up elsewhere, whac – a – mole style.” (The Guardian,2023)
Chalamet is not the only star – studded cast member. Hugh Grant’s performance of a ‘little orange man with green hair’ had movie theatres in fits of laughter as he perfectly encapsulated Dahl’s oompa Loompas by adding his own authentic British – esque twist.
After the success from Paul King’s Paddington Bear movie series (2014-2017), we understand why his portrayal of Willy Wonka was so loveable - he embodied the same qualities as the Peruvian bear. Adding a sense of childlike innocence mixed with the sweetness of Chalamet’s flamboyant chocolatier act, it is the perfect family movie for the festivities.
“I was finishing up Paddington 2, angling for work as you do and asked producer David Heyman if he had anything else cooking that he thought might be interesting for me. He went, ‘I’ve got 2 words, its young Wonka”. (Paul King,2023)
Hopefully in the near future King and Heyman mix their extravagant ideas together for another tasteful Wonka sequel – and hopefully a lot more performances from an orange Hugh Grant.
/Niamh McLaughlin
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