The latest chapter of the Willy Wonka story hits screens on 8 December. A prequel to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Wonka looks at the young and eccentric chocolatier's backstory and first foray into the chocolate world.
Set in a wintery unnamed city in what appears to be the early 1900s, the poor and down-on-his-luck protagonist embarks on his dream of opening a chocolate shop.
He quickly draws the ire of the cartel of three greedy chocolatiers who hate competition – Slugworth, Fickelgruber and Prodnose - played superbly by Paterson Joseph, Mathew Baynton and Matt Lucas.
The relentlessly optimistic Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet, ensnares himself in further misery when tricked by villainous innkeeper Mrs. Scrubbit, played by Olivia Colman. She traps him and a motely crew of others in her laundry, forcing them to work to pay off debt she fooled them into incurring.
Wonka is delightful and delectable, full of heart, charm and is brilliantly funny, with silly beats throughout.
Striking a comforting balance between heartwarming and humour, the film will undoubtedly draw strong comparisons with the much-loved Paddington movies, with that franchise's writer and director, Paul King, also at the helm here.
This, combined with a heavy sprinkle of Harry Potter-inspired magic as well as the emotional punch of A Christmas Carol completes the formula for the perfect escapist Christmas movie.
Music comes courtesy of Irishman Neil Hannon, who was commissioned to write the film's original songs, and they’re every bit as charming and clever as you’d expect from the talented Divine Comedy frontman.
In particular, the duet between Wonka and his young protégé Noodle is original and moving, as the characters embark on a magical journey, flying high above the city zoo and dancing on the rooftops.
The classic Wonka songs - Pure Imagination and Oompa Loompa are used to brilliant effect, at the perfect moments, and are goosebump-inducing.
Huge Grant as an Oompa Loompa is a total comedy hit here, as is Keegan-Michael Key as the hapless police chief who is in cahoots with the chocolate cartel.
The evil trio, who are prepared to go to any means to eliminate their competition, bribe him with copious amounts of chocolate in order to bring a halt to Wonka’s ambitions. He becomes larger and larger as the film goes on as his addiction spirals out of control.
Timothée Chalamet's interpretation of the famous chocolate maker is fresh and endearing – not nearly as over-the-top as trailers for the film suggested – and it never feels like an impression of Gene Wilder.
Another highly-accomplished performance comes from 14-year-old US actress Calah Lane, who plays Noodle, an apparent orphan who is also trapped in Mrs. Scrubbit’s laundry. Wonka takes her under his wing - helping her to feel hope again, despite her miserable predicament.
The film is thankfully never afraid to lean into the ridiculous and a gag about a huge vat of chocolate under the city’s cathedral being guarded by "500 chocoholic monks" is typical of the shenanigans that will have you laughing out loud.
Visually, the deliciously delectable world of Wonka leaps off the screen throughout, not least at the midway point as the chocolatier unveils his chocolate shop, complete with gushing chocolate river, candied boat, towering cherry blossom tree, candy floss clouds and edible flowers, reminiscent of the magic of the chocolate factory that we are all so familiar with from Roald Dahl's book.
Costume design, cinematography and sound are all on point as key messages about kindness, friendship and family are subtly weaved in.
If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas family film – this is it.
Wonka is in cinemas from 8 December.
