Anushka Halve
There are many references to writer Roald Dahl’s original work. This may not be how Roald Dahl imagined the troubling and troublesome chocolatier. Wonka exudes the buoyant simplicity of musicals intended for young audiences.
Chalamet's portrayal of Wonka is a breath of fresh air, free from the shadows of his predecessors. It helps that King’s Willy Wonka is very much his own person. Chalamet's Willy is sweet, kind, brilliant and has both an enviable jawline as well as oodles of charm.
Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius, a chocoholic who says, "One day we'll be judged for our sins, but it's not going to be today," before he downs one piece of chocolate after another.
The moments between Willy and Noodle (Calah Lane), who become friends and business partners. Willy helps Noodle see the silver lining, and Noodle helps set up Willy’s business.
Dahl's fiction has faced criticism for political incorrectness in recent years, but Wonka avoids these issues by imagining a version of Wonka’s fantastical world that is more aligned to our contemporary values. He is no longer forcing the Oompa-Loompa to partake in unpaid labour.
Wonka is refreshing for being a standalone film, with no dangling promise of a sequel at the end. It's a heartwarming family holiday film, brimming with hope, joy, and magic.