The perfect film to give you those warm holiday feelings, ‘Wonka’ delivers on charm, whimsy and the importance of dreams.

When the first trailer dropped for Wonka, I was very nervous.  Did I think we needed another version of Roald Dahl’s most famous characters? Not necessarily, but I was cautiously optimistic with the project.  After that first trailer, however, any type of hope faded from me.  Thankfully, the movie more than exceeded my expectations.

Based before the creation of his famous chocolate factory, Willy Wonka travels to Europe in hopes of bringing his magical chocolates to sell and officially become a chocolatier.  We are immediately greeted by Timothée Chalamet as the titular Wonka.  Just like the previous installments, this film is a musical.  While Chalamet’s vocals are not my favorite, his presence and charm on screen eliminates any fear that he was not fit for this character.  He brings life to the film that makes you feel like you are in a dreamland.  While he may not have brought some of the darker components to the character that Wonka is known for, seeing a happy and caring version of him was a breath of fresh air.  Chalamet is used to playing more sad characters so it was nice to see him be care-free and whimsical.  No one else could have pulled off this role like Chalamet did.

During his time in the new city, things do not really go Wonka’s way.  The “Chocolate Cartel” do not want any type of competition so they bribe the Chief of Police to get rid of him.  That, along with being trapped to work 10,000 days in a laundromat thanks to not reading the fine print, Wonka’s dream seems to be fading quickly.  All of the characters we meet bring just as much charm to the film that Chalamet does.  Olivia Colman and Tom Davis as the cartoonish villains that trap Wonka and his peers are such a delight and bring a great amount of comedic moments to the screen.  The “Chocolate Cartel” consisting of Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton are the main antagonists trying to take down Wonka.  This trio is as humorous as they are conniving that makes you nervous on what they may do next, perfect for this film.

The absolute standout is Calah Lane as Noodle, a young girl adopted by Colman’s character, who becomes Wonka’s right-hand girl in his schemes to sneak out of the laundromat to sell his chocolate.  She is a realist opposite to his dreamy nature and they work together so well.  She has a lot of sadness in her life and Wonka helps her to see the magic that it has to offer.  Chalamet and Lane bounce off of each other so well that some of the best scenes are when they are together.  Their scene in the zoo makes your heart swoon and you wish nothing but the best for both of their characters.

When you have a musical, the songs are either going to make or break your film.  Songwriter Neil Hannon and composer Joby Talbot create absolute magic together with their fantastical soundtrack.  You are immediately brought into their world of pure imagination.  It brings together that feeling of childhood wonder that reminds you of why it is so easy to have limitless dreams as a kid.  There are also a lot of homages to the original film ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ that also play perfectly with the nostalgic feel the film is going for without trying to bombard you with it.  Unfortunately, Talbot’s score does not qualify for Best Original Score due to using previous works, but it still deserves nothing but love and praise for how magical it is.  Hannon’s musical numbers are also perfectly woven into the story while enhancing the characters along the way.  Every song has some way of putting a smile on your face, making the film even greater.

Paul King, known for the Paddington movies, exceeded expectations when it came to his direction of Wonka.  Giving the perfect mix of family fun with fantasy to entertain anyone of any age, this is a timeless story and perfect holiday film without focusing on a holiday specifically.  While the plot is easy to follow and can be predictable at times, King’s direction keeps a smile on your face the whole time.

Everything surrounding the film also looks stunning.  The costuming brings out the personalities of each of the characters and matches with the time period perfectly.  Nothing felt out of place, giving that feeling of whimsy that elevates the film.  The same can be said about the production design, especially with the main square and Wonka’s store where a lot of chocolatiering business takes place.  The visual effects are a little hit or miss, with some scenes looking absolutely magical and others very obvious that it is fake.  At times the bad CGI can stand out but not enough to pull you out of the experience.

While another Willy Wonka musical may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it still works on so many levels.  With an enjoyable cast to beautiful craft components, Wonka makes a great film to lift your spirits and make you feel warm and fuzzy.

Grade: A-

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: Best Costume Design
Should be Considered: Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Where to Watch: In Theaters