Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor
Content warning: this article contains spoilers
Just in time for the holiday season, a sweet prequel, based on a beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, arrived in theaters in the United Kingdom Dec. 8 and the United States Dec. 15. French-American actor Timothée Chalamet stars as a younger version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s” chocolatier, Willy Wonka. “So quiet up, and listen down. Nope, scratch that, reverse it,” as Wonka says.
The movie features talented actors, such as Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Keegan-Michael Key. Timothée Chalamet has acquired a fan base of young women from his roles in movies such as “Call Me By Your Name,” “Lady Bird” and “Little Women.” Word of Chalamet playing a familiar favorite spread quickly. However, some movie-goers had mixed feelings about the new take on the classic.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ” has already seen two adaptations, starring Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp as Wonka. Additionally, the original book has a sequel, and some fans were wondering why a prequel made it to the screen before an adaptation of the sequel did.
Lili Minato, a sophomore at Western, is a film fanatic and meticulously selects her movies. She proposed a thoughtful question in regards to the new addition to the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” universe — “I think (prequels) can be done well… but if you want to make a prequel, is it needed?”
Perhaps the initial audience reaction to “Wonka” was due to its misleading advertising. “I thought it was weird that they didn’t (advertise) Wonka as a musical. People went and saw it, and were like, wait, why are they singing?” Minato said.
Minato also commented that marketing the movie as a musical would have brought in more theater fans. “For some people, that sounds like the total package.”
The movie has an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and it has many qualities that make for a great movie. With its vibrant costumes, catchy music and elaborate sets, it’s hard to look away. Elements incorporated from older movies such as “Annie” and “Mary Poppins” make “Wonka” all the more charming. For many musical fans, a new timeless classic has just been born.
8/10.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
