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Why I didn't like the Wonka movie

Ingrid

Released in December 2023, the Wonka movie won over spectators. All ? Not me anyway. Let me explain you why.


Timothée Chalamet plays the main role in the Wonka movie

I was born at the end of the 90s, so I grew up with Roald Dahl's book and the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Tim Burton (2005). The eccentricity of the character and this fantastic chocolate factory have always fascinated me. So, when I learned of the upcoming release of a new film on the subject, I couldn't wait. Unfortunately for me, the result was not as expected...

 

What is the movie Wonka about?

 

Discover the youth of Willy Wonka, the extraordinary inventor, magician and chocolatier from the magical world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, in the film WONKA. Timothée Chalamet plays this young man brimming with ideas and determined to change the world... with gusto! This colorful work, mixing emotion and humor, proves that, in life, dreams can come true – especially if you are lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka.

Why didn't I like the Wonka movie ?

 

The WONKA movie is based on the original 1971 film. My first mistake was this : I had never seen it. Certainly, I wasn't expecting a copy of Tim Burton's 2005 work (what would be the point in that?), but I still had it as a reference.

 

The director, Paul King, also enjoyed total creative freedom, a freedom that he exploited little to my taste. Here's why :

 

  • I found the film too Manichean, in a style very similar to the old Disney films, making a clear division between good and evil. The bad guys are very mean and very ugly, the good guys are very nice and very naive. We will come back for the depth of the characters.

  • I was disappointed by the special effects. I found that there were few, which is a shame for a fantastic film with so many resources.

  • With marketing focused almost exclusively on Hugh Grant and Timothée Chalamet, I expected to see the character of Oompa Loompa have a bigger role. I think he doesn't add anything to the storyline, which is a shame because there was something  !

  • I saw a lot of positive feedback on Timothée Chalamet. For my part, I don't find him whimsical enough for the role.

  • There is a real musical comedies fashion this last few years, WONKA has not escaped it. None of the music stayed in my head or in my heart (while those in Tim Burton's film are incredible in English or in French in my opinion).


On the other hand, if you have the soul of a child (or you are one), I think the film is well thought out. It is colorful, you never get bored and the decorations are beautiful.

 

However, I recommend either seeing the 1971 film or reading the book by Roald Dahl to get into the bath. Above all, be aware that there is no link with Tim Burton's 2005 film. All the negative reviews I read criticized WONKA for not being a carbon copy of its predecessor, this is not the goal !

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