Wonka: The Prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – A Review

2023-12-16 08:20:24

After “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Tim Burton, it’s time for “Wonka” by Paul King. This prequel released on December 13, also inspired by the world of Roald Dahl, reveals the youth of Willy Wonka, inventor and chocolatier of genius. Except that by exaggerating everything, the film loses its flavor.

While everyone knows the story of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, the past of chocolatier Willy Wonka is a mystery. A mystery revealed with the release of the film “Wonka” on December 13. In it, actor Timothée Chalamet plays a poor young man, but brimming with ideas, determined to change the world.

Writer and director of the children’s films “Paddington”, Paul King created for “Wonka” a mixture of magic, music, chaos and emotion. An overdosed mixture which did not convince the two film critics of the Vertigo show on December 13.

>> To see: the trailer for the film “Wonka”

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Too big strings

Willy Wonka arrives in town with a promise to his late mother: to one day open a chocolate factory. Except that the path to get there won’t be easy for the orphan, because of a lobby of nasty chocolatiers.

This somewhat basic plot left RTS film critic Philippe Congiusti perplexed: “The strings of this film are enormous, there are too many songs and dance parts, it gives a syrupy side. In the end, I I wondered who this film was for. Only the character of little Oompa Loompa played by British actor Hugh Grant finds favor in his eyes: “He’s the only one who brings pep to the film, unfortunately he arrives too late in the plot.”

Too much magic

A mixed opinion, also shared by Judith Beauvallet: “The magic is so total that it makes the issues disappear, regrets the journalist and cinema specialist. As Willy Wonka is already a genius chocolatier, we don’t see him learning or growing” .

Beyond the weakness of the scenario, Judith Beauvallet also notes that for a film centered on a chocolatier, there is no staging around chocolate. “At no point do we see Wonka working chocolate, we are presented with already made treats. Ultimately, this film misses the opportunity to make us hungry.”

Sarah Clement

“Wonka” by Paul King, with Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Calah Lane, Rowan Atkinson. To be seen in French-speaking cinemas since December 13, 2023.

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