Film Review #029 - Wonka (2023)

Wonka (2023) is a movie directed by Paul King, written by Simon Farnaby and Paul King, and based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Timothée Chalamet plays Willy Wonka in the movie. 

The movie is a vibrant addition to the musical genre, and stands out for its engaging storytelling and strong character development. The film offers a colorful and memorable narrative, effectively balancing fun and drama.

The soundtrack is a highlight, featuring a blend of joyful cover songs with a vibe reminiscent of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" (2023) covey songs but with more positive lyrics and typical Disney musical tunes. The music, especially the piano pieces, are well made and add to the film's charm. Certain songs in the movie, e.g., the tango vibe soundtracks in the movie, are very memorable and well-performed, making a strong impact. I would watch this movie again just because of the strong base of music for this movie.

The characters in "Wonka" are well-adapted and memorable, showing significant growth throughout the film. Wonka himself is portrayed as an empathetic character, adding depth to the story. Rowan Atkinson, the man who played Mr. Bean, in the movie was a surprising addition. The pace of this movie is really reasonable and it flows very well

The pacing of the movie is well-managed, ensuring the story flows smoothly. The use of photo flip book shots as a storytelling device adds a unique touch.

Visually, the film is stunning. The fantasy elements, like characters floating in the air, are executed impressively. Cinematographically, the film employs a variety of shots, including dutch tilts which were used a lot, overhead shots, which are particularly effective in dance scenes. The integration of "old-movie" style scenes and creative transitions adds to the film's visual appeal. Additionally, the film showcases beautiful landscapes.

The costumes in "Wonka" are noteworthy for their authenticity and quality, earning a perfect score for design. Location-wise, the film features familiar settings, such as Milan, which enhance the narrative's authenticity.

In my opinion, the primary challenge of this movie lies in its storytelling. While the scenes were humorous and the jokes well-adapted, there was a sense of incompleteness, as if certain narrative gaps remained unfilled. The storyline, though entertaining, felt somewhat simplistic and lacked the depth that could have made it more engaging and substantial.

In sum, Wonka (2023) was enjoyable to watch particularly on the big cinema screen I went to in my local cinema with Dolby Atmos audio which was amazing but I watched it in German which I still loved it. Despite of its flaws, it was a great choice for a Christmas movie outing; parents with their children enjoyed the movie. I personally would watch this film second time just because of the soundtrack alone. The film succeeds in being emotionally touching and intimate in its genre, making it a worthwhile watch, especially watching it 2nd time.

Rating: 7/10