Wonka 2023
There were high expectations for this movie and, based on reviews, they maybe weren't quite met, though it is still getting solid reviews, with many comparisons to the previous Wonka movies. I liked the first one of course, but have always had a few issues with it, though nothing against Gene Wilder's portrayal. Johnny Depp's version was a little too weird. This movie is a prequel, with Timothée Chalamet as a younger, more optimistic version of Wonka. The director is Paul King, who also did the incredibly highly acclaimed Paddington movies, and this movie definitely has a similar vibe, so if you liked those, then you should like this. There is a large cast and, while not everyone is a familiar face at all, there are some nice cameos. There were a surprising number of songs, which are generally good, though not outstanding. Even "Pure Imagination" from the original isn't a blockbuster song, though its return is welcome. The story has a lot going on and everything ties together nicely. The production design is very good, with that same kind of look from Paddington, with kind of a comicly Dickensian England and kind of ridiculous side characters. I worried that it wouldn't be able to sustain the cleverness and promise, but it just kept chugging along, maybe a little anticlimactic ultimately. Definitely a fun family movie.
Written: 27 Dec 2023