Is director Paul King the new, well, king of family movies? He's already delivered two classics in the form of Paddington and Paddington 2. Now, he may have scored a hat-trick of successes with the release of his new adventure Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet as the world's most famous chocolatier, Willy Wonka.
Chalamet plays the younger Wonka in an affectionate Roald Dahl-centric origin story that shows us how Wonka first met up with the Oompa Loompas and established his magical chocolate factory. With Chalamet delivering an all-singing, all-dancing central performance, the glittering supporting cast includes Hugh Grant (as said Oompa Loompa), Olivia Colman and Rowan Atkinson.
For Wonka, King reunites with his Paddington 2 scribe Simon Farnaby, and early word is very positive indeed. Besides the calibre of the filmmakers and cast, the music comes from composer Joby Talbot and The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. Plenty of reasons to be cheerful, then, and here are some of the enthusiastic early reactions.
Saw @WonkaMovie last week & it is a delicious treat that has all the ingredients for a perfect experience. Do not miss this #film, as #Wonka is an absolutely scrumptious delight! More soon on @ExpressFM & @NeedABiggerPod. Thanks to @WarnerBrosUK & @Cameo_Oddyo. Wonka Out 8th Dec! pic.twitter.com/N401j5zPb5
— Jon Brown (@jonbrowntv) November 28, 2023
#Wonka is absolutely, positively delightful! Brimming with magic, music, warmth & humour, it's choc-ed to rafters fuelled by Timothèe Chalamet's brilliant turn and a scene-stealing Hugh Grant. Paul King and Simon Farnaby create world of pure imagination - a huge surprise! pic.twitter.com/hTJsI8IsUM
— Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) November 28, 2023
If I’m being honest: I wasn’t expecting much when I walked into #Wonka.
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) November 29, 2023
But I fell in love with a charming, heartfelt and pretty spectacular musical that is a loving tribute to everything we love about the ‘71 original.
Chalamet is unbelievably fun and charismatic as Wonka. pic.twitter.com/Ywuej5Wg5Y
#Wonka/ #WonkaMovie is a winning confection, filled with perfect amounts of charm, whimsy & poignancy, powered by pure imagination & bright, nimble musical numbers. Timothée Chalamet is a charisma factory. His full committal is intoxicating. Hugh Grant in exceptional IDGAF mode. pic.twitter.com/vjKJqqY6ll
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) November 28, 2023
What I love about #Wonka is how sweet & sincere it is w/ a tone similar to the #Paddington films. It also reminded me of #Annie in ways (Olivia Colman's character is very much sending Miss Hannigan vibes throughout). Cute, crafty, wholesome & perfect for the whole family.… pic.twitter.com/csHkgIIJhE
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 28, 2023
Paul King's #Wonka is a deliciously flavored treat of pure imagination. An impeccably crafted & charming family film that's sure to fill all cinephiles' taste buds. Timothée Chalamet evokes a charm & endearing presence that's not to be missed while Hugh Grant's Oompa Loompa is an… pic.twitter.com/UVqtcRNsNx
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) November 28, 2023
#Wonka is a delicious confection, at times salty, at times sweet, but always visually dazzling and emotionally rich. Paul King once again proves that he is one of our most exciting filmmakers, creating a world unafraid to go to the dark, strange places that Roald Dahl would. 🍫 pic.twitter.com/KaCRXiGTj4
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) November 28, 2023
#Wonka is a super charming delight powered by an exceptional & pitch-perfect performance from Timothée Chalamet. It can get quite silly and there’s a few plot points that are a tad on the thin side, but that couldn’t stop such an impossibly sweet film with a hefty & very… pic.twitter.com/1SLMmRPSGY
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 28, 2023
#wonka is an instant holiday classic & a truly magical time at the movies 🥰 paul king’s whimsical style works as well here as it did in paddington, every musical number enchants, & the entire ensemble takes turns stealing the show, led by an endlessly charming timothée chalamet. pic.twitter.com/O887KYp4CY
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) November 28, 2023
No doubt those reactions have got you hungry for a brand-new family classic in the making. Click the link below to book your tickets for Wonka. It opens on December 8th.
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