Review: "Wonka"

Hey all! This is my first movie review for my blog Good Morning My Confidants. Future reviews probably won't have this kind of intro, but I couldn't help but say something for those of you who have been a part of my first week of posts. Here's hoping you like this review, future ones, and that I didn't say something so sacrilegious in this review that you refuse to read any others! Please remember this.... I was eleven years old with I saw the classic movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and I had read the book before seeing the movie. I meant what I am saying back then, I mean it now. And with that dark and ominous start, here we go...!

What a delightful movie. I absolutely loved it! Oure movie magic! A delight to the eyes and ears. I loved this movie!

My husband Noah liked it too. He was not expecting to like Timothée Chalamet, who he considers a "serious" actor, as much as he did. And I, who think Mr. Chalamet is brilliant, was surprised that he did as well as he did. I think he did both Roald Dahl and Gene Wilder more than proud, I think both would have loved both him and this prequel.

The story is a little absurd, and perhaps convoluted, but the more I thought about it, this movie was no less so than Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

I loved the music and Timothée has a really nice voice. In fact, I thought every singer, every dance, was spot on and couldn't have bit better.

And now a comment that might get me stoned in the street....

I don't think Gene Wilder had a very good singing voice and there has always been a spot or three where I winced, even as a child. Diana Sowle as Mrs. Bucke makes me cringe to this day on the song Cheer Up Charlie. I don't think that either Jack Albertson as Grandpa or Joe Peter Ostrum as Charlie could sing worth a darn, certainly not dance, and I thought so in 1971 when I was eleven and sitting in the movie theater, even though I absolutely love the song (I've Got A) Golden Ticket, I didn't hate any of the songs, but to this day I wonder why they didn't pick actors and actresses that could sing and dance. Isn't that what you do in a musical? And I never ever thought Aubrey Woods, who played to proprietor of the candy shop, (gasp) could carry a tune in a bucket (no pun intended). Especially in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory singing The Candy Man.

(Am I still alive? Are you sending out the hit men on me? I hope not. It's simply my opinion.)

So! That said....

I really did like the new songs and thought they were every bit as good as those in Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory!

And I think the only reason you might leave the theater with Pure Imagination on your mind and lips instead of any of the new songs (especially the wonderful You've Never Had Chocolate Like This and A World of Your Own) is that we have known Pure Imagination for 50+ years! It's iconic! And totally magical.

I enjoyed the entire cast, especially Olivia Colman as the evil Mrs. Scrubitt, Tom Davis as her henchman Bleacher (who just wants a little love), Hugh Grant as the an Oompa-Loompa (he can sing!), Rowan Atkinson as the not-so-pious Father Julius (delightful) and Jim Carter as Abacus Crunch. Delightful all!

Visually the movie is gorgeous. The colors bright and clear as 1970s television shows, and barely missing by an inch being too colorful. It was, as the say, "a feast for the eyes."

Since I don't want to spoil the movie I will stop and simply give you my advice....

SEE THIS MOVIE ON THE BIG SCREEN!

Do not be tempted to wait. It's an absolutely lovely, and I don't think the small screen will do it justice, and I'm so glad we saw it today. I will be sure to buy this when the DVD comes out!

Wonka was budgeted at $125 million dollars and at this writing, and according to Box Office Mojo, it has made $55,792,064 in the United Kingdom, $154,524,302 Domestically, and $398,924,302 Worldwide. Thank goodness it is considered a hit. Interesting that its third week was better than its second. I think word of mouth might be getting around!

Wonka

Directed by Paul King

Screenplay by Simon Farnaby and Paul King

Story by Paul King

Based on the characters created by Roald Dahl

Stars Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant.