Wonka (PG)

Dir: Paul King

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant

Timothee Chalamet shines as a young Willy Wonka in this charming and whimsical origin story of the famous chocolatier

Over the course of the past decade or so, we have seen the number of original titles produced on the big screen dwindle to worrying numbers. We live in an age where the box office is dominated by superhero movies, sequels, remakes and even the more recently termed, requels. The most egregious and usually tainted attempts to squeeze beloved classics for every penny, are the unwarranted origin stories. Hence my scepticism when I first caught wind that an origin tale of Roald Dahl‘s oddball chocolatier, Willy Wonka, was in the works.

For generations, audiences have been captivated by the charm and whimsy of the eccentric chocolate maker, thanks to the celebrated performance by Gene Wilder in the classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. For over 50 years, children have come to know and love the songs and characters that made the original film so iconic. Then in 2005, Tim Burton produced his take on the Roald Dahl tale, and whilst it was more true to the original source material, it failed to recapture the warmth of the original movie. Now, 52 years after the original’s release, we have been treated to an original adventure, depicting how a young and upbeat Wonka came to be the world renown chocolate maker we all grew up with.

With the latest Wonka adaptation, audiences find them self in save hands of writer-director duo, Paul King and Simon Farnaby. The pair have previously worked their magic with their fantastic reimaging of another British children’s classic, Paddington. They have proved with both Paddington movies, that they can deliver a sweet-natured and imaginative film full of laughs, that the whole family can enjoy.

We are introduced to a young and aspiring Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet), as he arrives by boat at an unnamed and vaguely European city, where architecture is Parisian, the people are English and the law enforcement bare a striking resemblance to that what once served under Mussolini. It is here, that the optimistic Willy wishes to open his very own chocolate shop, with nothing but twelve silver sovereigns and a “hatful of dreams” – cue the first of many catchy musical numbers.

Despite warnings from a young orphan named Noodle (Calah Lane), Willy decides to stay a laundromat owned by the devious Scrubbit and Bleacher, portrayed as a deliciously devilish double-act by Olivia Colman and Tom Davis. Due to his illiteracy, Willy fails to read the small print of his contract and soon becomes indebted to his villainous landlords. To pay off his debt, he is forced to work down in the laundrette with others trapped by Scrubbit: accountant Abacus (Jim Carter); plumber Piper (Natasha Rothwell); failed comedian Larry (Rich Fulcher); telephone operator Lottie (Rakhee Thakrar) and Noodle.

Determined to fulfil his lifelong dream, Willy sets out to sell his chocolate to the masses despite constant interference from rival chocolate makers: Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Fickelgruber (Matthew Baynton), along with their chocolate-loving lapdog, Chief of Police (Keegan Michael Key).

From the very first musical number, I was completely reassured that King and Farnaby had managed to recapture the family-friendly charm and sense of fun from the two Paddington movies. I was immediately emersed in this magical world, where chocolate is more of a currency than a commodity. The snow covered streets and feel good spirit make it the perfect Christmas movie despite its lack of a festive setting, and it will serve as a great film to watch in front of a fire together for years to come.

There was question marks surrounding Chalamet’s casting as Wonka but the young Canadian star has proved his doubters wrong with another star turn. The 27-year-old has only seen his stock rise ever since his big screen debut in Christopher Nolan‘s Interstellar (2014), and nine years and an Oscar nomination later, he finds himself one of the most sought after talents in the industry. I am a huge fan of Chalamet, but even I was surprised by his ability to be a song and dance man, as he captures the innocence and naivety of a young Wonka without ever becoming insufferable. He makes the character his own and provides a stark contrast to Wilder’s more cynical and bitter middle-aged Wonka.

As a family film, it is perfect, and you would have to go far to find any child who will not like this magically marvellous musical. My sole criticism of the film is hardly a negative, which is that it is almost too childish in parts. I am very much aware that as a childless 30-year-old, I am not the target demographic but all the great family films manage to appeal to all ages. For the most part, ‘Wonka’ manages this, but there are a few too many childish jokes clearly aimed towards the younger viewers, which is understandable. If I was twenty years younger, there is no doubt that this would be my favourite film of the year but with a few years under my belt, I do enjoy the extra bit of cynicism.

With toe-tapping songs from The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon and a hilarious acting ensemble, ‘Wonka’ is undoubtably the feel-good, family event of the year and will surely become a modern festive classic.

Wonka is now showing in UK Cinemas