‘Wonka’ Review: Timothée Chalamet Brings Charm And Musical Talent To Delightful Origin Story Of Roald Dahl’s Famous Candy Man
deadline.comYou might not be able to tell it from the trailers but Wonka, the latest movie inspired by Roald Dahl‘s classic 1964 children’s story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is, make no mistake about it, a full-on movie musical that I found to be more in the tradition of ’60s-era films like Oliver, Dr.
Dolittle, Albert Finney’s Scrooge — basically a throwback to that kind of feel-good musical confection designed to be released during the year’s end.
Unlike 1971’s beloved (but not a hit initially) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder, or Tim Burton’s darker 2005 take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, this version directed Paul King and co-written by King and Simon Farnaby is an origin story of how Willy Wonka came to be Wonka, the magician, inventor and chocolate maker extraordinaire.
Both previous films certainly have their legions of fans, but King’s creation actually feels original, taking the spirit of Dahl and his wickedly funny world and giving it a whole new spin.
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