Okay, you’re lying if you say you watched Johnny Depp’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and didn’t like it. Sorry, but I don’t make the rules. Now, consider this movie as a prequel to the classic, and step into the sugary wonderland of “Wonka,” where Timothée Chalamet rocks the purple coat as the youthful Willy Wonka. Oh and trust me, it isn’t just a trip down memory lane. Wonka has a fresh origin as the film unfolds a chocolatey adventure that balances nostalgia with a modern twist. Had gone to the theatres just for two reasons- nostalgia and Chalamet. And legit both the factors cooked, ate, and left no crumbs.
Plot
So Willy Wonka arrives in a chocolate-centric town, and just like any other enthusiastic fresher (he doesn’t work 70 hours a week btw), he hopes to amaze everyone with his candy creations. But itna easily kaise? His dreams are quickly crushed by a cartel led by Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelgruber, who control the chocolate trade. Bro I just realized Wonka is just Breaking Bad, but for children(!?!?). Anyway, humare naive Wonka also finds himself indebted to the biggest fckers in town, the Scrubbit couple, and is forced to work in a laundry run by Mrs. Scrubbit. But apne Wonka bhai ke aage koi kuch bol sakta hai kya??? From levitating chocolates to watchdogs doing laundry duty, our hero teams up with a quirky crew to outsmart the bad guys. It’s a tale of misadventures, laughs, and a whole lot of heart – just what you’d expect from the chocolate factory.
Performances
Timothée Chalamet is clearly the golden ticket in this candy-coated extravaganza. He brings a young and ambitious Willy Wonka to life with such charm mannnn. Also, this is prolly the most I’ve seen him smile in a movie *crying*. Olivia Colman is the wicked Mrs. Scrubbit and plays it so well that you can’t help but hate her. The supporting cast, from Rowan Atkinson to Keegan-Michael Key, also does their job well, but I wish they had more screen time. But, but, but special shoutout to Hugh Grant, who steals the show as the pint-sized Oompa-Loompa, Lofty. Hugh Grant playing a quirky-ass character JUST CAN’T MISS. Overall, it’s a chocolatey ensemble that’s as sweet as a Wonka bar.
Direction and Writing
Paul King, the captain of this chocolate ship, tries his best to capture the essence of Dahl’s world. The pacing is very smooth and I really liked the balance between between fantasy and reality. The film is essentially a musical, and honestly, the trailer had got me worried in that aspect. But, mujhe Neil Hannon ke songs kaafi achhe lage cuz they bring that nostalgic Willy Wonka vibe. But where’s that dark aspect of Dahl’s classic??? Like, I’m sure all of you remember Depp wali movie mein sabki kitni phati thi at one point. I really wish that dark vibe was present here, ngl.
Screenplay and Cinematography
To begin with, everything from the set designs to the costumes and the choreography is top-notch. The screenplay is vvv engaging and filled with adventure, friendship, and dreams as big as a giant gummy bear. Puri childhood re-live karli by god. Neil Hannon’s tunes are catchy, but “Pure Imagination” steals the spotlight in a cutu nod to the original song from “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory”. The cinematography is simply a feast for the eyes. It captures the vibrant colors of the chocolate factory and the town, creating a visually appealing experience. Agar koi chhota bhai ya behen hai toh please leke jaooo. Maza aayega, trust me.
All in all, “Wonka” is your pretty cozy Christmas movie for a lazy watch. Timothée Chalamet is the Willy Wonka of our dreams, and the supporting cast adds the perfect sprinkle of magic. Yes, I really wish there was that dark side to the movie to make it more authentic, but it still remains to be a good watch. Life may be a box of chocolates, but “Wonka” is the golden ticket that takes you on an adventurous journey through candy-coated nostalgia. With that note, I wish you a chocolatey Christmas!
