We heard a little while back that they were making a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It will tell the story of how Willy Wonka became the man he was. The movie isn’t due out until Dec but there is a trailer now online.
Two things from this trailer. Firstly, it’s nice to see Timothée Chalamet play someone a bit more upbeat. In most of the movies I’ve seen him in, he plays a miserable, quiet sulking kid. As Wonka, he actually looks like he’s making an effort.
Secondly, though, this looks awful. It looks like Chalamet is playing the Gene Wilder Wonka, not the Jonny Depp version. This is a good thing, but still confusing. It just looks like another milking of a cash cow from another IP we all know and love.
One of the main issues for me is that it is directed by Paul King, who is known for directing Paddington 1 & 2. I make no apologies for saying I hate both of those movies. They are dull, generic and seemed to be filmed like a TV movie. I have seen both, and I wouldn’t ever see them again.
It looks like Wonka is in that same style. Very formulaic and just dull. Sure, they have bright colours, but the overall style looks boring. Please correct me if I’m wrong. I will still give the movie a chance, I’m not a monster.
The other thing about being formulaic is the cast, joining Chalamet is Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Matt Lucas, Jim Carter and a few other people King has worked with before.Why is Grant an Oompa-loompa? Are they from darkest Africa or something? Oh like it matters.
To end on a better note, it looks like Neil Hannon, of the band The Divine Comedy, has written some original songs for the movie. This does intrigue me since his writing is fun and catchy. For those of you who don’t know him, he was his entry for the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland a few years back. Clip was taken from one of the funniest comedies ever, Father Ted.
Wonka will be out 15th Dec 2023.
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