Review: “Wonka” has Holiday Magic in Chocolate and Music

 

Written by Yongma Lee

Seen at Lacey Regal Cinemas on December 15, 2023

 

             Before the Factory and his name made well-known to the world, Willy Wonka is a man with a simple dream. That kind of feeling would also present an infectious any dreamer who dares to dream big. When I first saw the trailer for the film, I was simply at awestruck and am looking forward to such a wonderful musical fantasy film, which I also feel like it fits right in for the holidays. I would tip my hat off to the Director to the Paddington film, Paul King, for his own spin on the adaptation of one of Roald Dahl’s most memorable books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The movie has an interesting way of presenting some real holiday magic for film viewers young and old for a magical adventure.

             It’s time for us to come with Wonka into a world of endless imagination filled with magical delight in music and in all the chocolate that the candy man comes up with.

Plot Spoilers

             With Dreams of opening a shop in a city well-known for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers. Willy wound up in a serious situation when he run into some very mean villains, but gets some assistance from the most unexpected sources. With the help of his newfound friends and an unlikely ally, Willy would make possible in his endeavors in making the most extraordinary chocolate shop the world has ever known.

Music and Wonders

              Among musicals, Wonka presented a colorful soundtrack filled with wonderful songs you would like to sing and dance too, along with a couple of memorable songs from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” The Oompa Loompa song and Pure Imagination. Each of these songs brings out the Holiday Magic from the film and it’s not just the chocolate. “For a moment” has a nice yet heartwarming Ballad that signifies the beginning of friendship between Wonka and Noodle. The songs transition very smoothly with the story through each and every moment through different situations from the Chocolate Cartel bribing the Police chief with chocolate all the way to the wonderful introduction of Wonka’s shop.

             The Special effects in the film are as amazing as the songs themselves. For example when it comes to Wonka’s back-story for his passion for chocolate, it started out as flipbook then it slowly transitioned to an old projector as Willy’s memory of him and his mother continuously progress with the First Wonka chocolate bar being the framing point with the main focus for his passion for chocolate making. I also noticed the chalk drawn traditional animation when it comes to Noodle’s dream what it would be when she reunites with her family. I find that juxtaposition a nice touch for Noodle’s imagination. The CGI Work for the setting and the giraffe are also wonderful and very charming along with the transition for the ending where the abandoned castle magically transformed into a chocolate factory with Willy and the Oompa Loompa waltzing around inside the chocolate factory. I also like how the film’s title appears in both opening and ending of the film with the transition in a spectacular manner as if it is writing it out in golden ink.

Chocolaty Charms in the Film

             Timothee Chalamet happened to be spot on when it comes to his acting and musical performance as the young chocolatier with a dream, Willy Wonka. There is not a single misstep in his portrayal, especially in his development where he can’t be able to read as he devoted his entire life to making chocolate. The film also filled with a good deal of memorable cast members, including Keegan Michael-Key, Calah Lane, and Hugh Grant. Each of these actors has blended into their roles marvelously in an effort of progress in the story. I also tip my hat to Ms. Lindy Hemming for her marvelous work in the costumes for the film.

             So far, I haven’t seen any missteps in the film as far as I’m concerned, though I wish the film’s transition would’ve gone a bit smoother if it were longer.

Final Thoughts

             Among the live action musical films I ever run into before, I simply have never seen such a wonderful and magical film like Wonka. As I stated before, Willy’s positive attitude as he fights for his dreams is purely infectious and inspiring to dreamers at the same time. His sense of creativity has truly opened our hearts and minds to pure imagination like no other. I love this musical so much that I would like to see it for another time or two. This movie will give audience young and old the roller coaster ride of a lifetime in laughs, music and lots of heartwarming chocolate.

             The movie has presented so much in child-like sense of wonder and all the charms in the music that I highly recommend seeing this as many times with family in theaters. Through Wonka’s Music and very extraordinary candy and chocolate, the movie deserves 8.9 out of 10 stars. Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.