As is the case with many people closing in on middle age, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has always held a special place in my heart. Though a bit dated now, with less-than-perfect messaging, I still get goosebumps as the cast walks into the magical factory, full of stunning, colourful, practical effects. This holiday, Wonka was released, and although they tried very hard to capture that same whimsical quirkiness that is the original, many attempts fell flat, not completely spoiling the experience but definitely leaving viewers wanting more.
Wonka is a prequel to the 1971 classic film, giving insight into how Willy Wonka himself became a chocolatier and a bit more about his competition. The story itself was bittersweet, with sad moments that led to overcoming the odds and creating a sense of family. Oftentimes, with a story quite literally full of magic, there are plenty of plotholes viewers need to overcome, and Wonka is certainly full of them, but none that really spoil the film.
Toward the beginning of Wonka, we are introduced to the cast of unfortunate characters who are under the control of Mrs. Scrubitt (Olivia Coleman) and Bleacher (Tom Davis). It feels like the roles these people are given are extremely laid out as tough, funny, smart, quiet, etc., making it feel very one-dimensional. I believe it was supposed to align with the film’s quirkiness; however, rather than letting us see who the characters were through their actions, they spelled it out for the viewers, which felt unnatural and forced.
Music was always a major part of Willy Wonka’s world, whether it be setting the tone for the scene, like the creepy tunnel song in the original, or being playful and instructional like the Oompa Loompa songs. In Wonka, for the first half of the film, the songs felt like they had nothing deeper behind them. Melodies were in a constant loop. The lyrics weren’t catchy. The numbers were forgettable. By the second half of Wonka, though, they seemed to break through and become more lively and enjoyable.
“There are many shared beats in Wonka and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and to a lifelong fan, it shows.”
One thing I really do want to emphasize in Wonka is the incredible work of the design team. Everything from costumes to set dressings was impeccable and truly brought the world to life. Of course, I would have loved more practical effects, much like the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, but in the digital world we live in, Wonka did just fine. When Willy’s first shop came to life, I got the same chills that I still do when I watch the original. The rooms were full of magic, and you could see it on the patrons’ faces, too.
I just wish we could see the same magic on Timothée Chalamet’s face as the chocolatier himself. Chalamet is an excellent dramatic actor; I have no doubt about that. At any moment of seriousness, he is able to pull you in and break your heart if need be. However, any touch of strangeness that Willy should portray felt extremely forced and unnatural coming from Chalamet. Throughout Wonka, it very much felt like “insert silly face here” came up in his script, and none of it ever felt organic.
Despite many of these issues, Wonka is still going to be an amazing film for the family this holiday season. Younger family members likely won’t notice the issues above, and any of the older generations will still find nods to the original Willy Wonka throughout the film. Whether it be the goosebumps as you see rooms full of candy, a tear when you hear Chalamet’s Pure Imagination, or laughter as Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa starts doing “the dance” while blatantly making fun of it, there will be smiles in the audience that can’t be ignored.
Going deeper, there are other moments that pay homage to the original film as well. The story’s main baddies, Slugworth (a nod in itself), Prodnose and Fickelgruber, are three chocolatiers who want Willy stopped at all costs. The first thing I noticed was their likeness to the children in the original film, though I could be grasping at straws.
“For fans of the original or those that still have magic in their hearts, Wonka will have your heart full by the end.”
Fickelgruber was high-class and snooty, much like Veruca Salt. Prodnose was goofy and oblivious, similar to Augustus Gloop. And then Slugworth himself was selfish and demanding, like Violet Beauregarde, even dressed head to toe in blue like she was (well, violet). Even Keegan-Michael Key’s Chief of Police expands at a rapid rate like Violet did when she was too greedy. There are many shared beats in Wonka and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and to a lifelong fan, it shows.
The film can be dissected into something less than amazing, but it truly does capture your heart by the end. Chalamet may not be funny or quirky like Gene Wilder was, but his take on the character is truly endearing. Coleman’s Scrubitt is disturbing the way she should be. The plot might have some holes, but you have to believe in magic to believe in Wonka. For fans of the original or those that still have magic in their hearts, Wonka will have your heart full by the end.
