It's a fantastically funny, heartfelt film for kids. I didn't believe for a second Chalamet was the same guy as Wilder, but I'm not judging the movie based on the previous one. I loved it.
Agreed! I honestly haven’t laughed (and cried) in one movie this hard in a while. It helps I saw it with my two boys and that enhances the magic a bit. But I totally loved it and look forward to seeing it again. Funny though, I did not know that it was written by the Paddington folks, and that was my first thought leaving. This is very Paddington like, lol. Great review though!
@@BAYoungbloodright?! I've seen it two times. First time it caught me totally by surprise but after like a week or two seeing it again with my son's class I thought I'm golden... Yeah, the kids still laughed at me cause I cried so much at the end 😂
The original movie already explained why he became the jaded man he is. This movie shows the optimistic young chocolate maker he started out as. Then after years and years of people stealing his ideas and formulas and other corporate dickheads battling him, he would become bitter and pessimistic
@@MPbmfm idk this one felt family friendly and good for kids. If they did a sequel about how he became bitter and jaded by the end, it would be kinda depressing. Theyd probably have him have another adventure in the sequel or something
In my opinion "the creator" was different. But that film didn't get much attention. This made me think: What was first? The settling for shallow movies or the mainstream film industry turning their movies into exactly that?
This movie was released this weekend in the UK. Having worked at the cinema chain over the weekend, every Wonka showtime we had was fully sold out and the reactions after the film per showtime was overwhelmingly positive and a lot of younger audiences wanted to see it again.
I'm looking for a movie I can take my young kids to. So "not dark and subversive enough" actually sounds pretty good. It would be nice to take them to a film that doesn't have me answering awkward questions afterwards.
I just saw it. I understand some of your criticisms, and you would need another movie to get to the Darkness of Gene Wilder's performance. But in the end, that didn't really matter to me - I found the movie incredibly charming and it had heart. I hope "A World of Our Own" gets a Best Song Nomination. One of my favorite movies of the year.
It's a lovely whimsical movie. Better than I expected. Just watched it last night (it premiered in Brazil this weekend) and thought Paul King gave it the right Paddington tone. A family film that's very sweet (pun intended), but not cheesy. It's not as great as Paddington 2 (a masterpiece!), but it's very good. Yes, they use the song, but I feel like this is a new Wonka for a new generation, they weren't trying to make him like the original. I don't have nostalgia for it, so I liked Chalamet in the role. Better than Depp, for sure.
This is probably like the prequel SW movies where, in another 20-25 years, we'll have a wave of people who are kids today that will have fond memories of this film.
Maybe I'm forgetting something but Wilder's Wonka never seemed obsessed with chocolate. He seemed like a quirky industrialist who stumbled into a market and made himself an expert in it, but still kept his options open. 90% of his factory wasn't even about chocolate at all So right off the bat the idea of a young Wonka with a defining ambition to surmount a chocolate cartel to open his own shop feels off. It's part of a tired conception of character prequels that make every aspect of a character -- down to their fashion and hairstyle -- an immutable property they've never swayed from their whole life
Agreed. As a writing mechanic, the concept of a "Chocolate Cartel" is just lazy. It immediately makes me suspend dis-belief just because of how ridiculous it is. Accessory ridiculousness is acceptable (costumes, accents, stylization, etc...). Core plot points, not so much. Immediately gives the audience the sense you think they're dumb.
@@SirTotallyAveragethe sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a whole book about them flying around in an elevator. Roald Dahl's stories are inherently ridiculous
@@cshaffrey3438 True enough. I just think if they go for ridiculous they should commit; not copy paste some rival business throughline just because its easier than actually adapting the source material in a smart way.
The chocolate cartel is mentioned in the 1970's movie. The weird knife salesman on the street tells Charlie about how all the other chocolatiers worked together to steal Wonka's secrets, which is why he closed everything down. What I don't like is how Wonka in the prequel can make antigrav chocolate when in the original movie he talks about not yet getting fizzy lifting drinks right.
I might be mistaken but the Gene Wilder Wonka with its dark tone was considered a box office fail though obviously became a beloved cult classic later, with that said maybe the studio decided to avoid the ambiguous danger part of Wonka just in case, a mistake in my book bc the dark comedy in the original is what makes it great but at the same time I can’t blame the makers of the prequel either
it's in the book. In fact it was taken out after the first printing, but he completely exploited the oompa loompas in an intentionally morally ambiguous way. HE's a weird and dangerous guy in the book and the previous adaptations. New hollywood movies have no edge.
You make a valid point. What most people, a lot of critics included, failed to understand is that the original movie and character, didn't resonate with many people. Most of the people that I know that love the original are "weirdos", in a positive way of course, imaginative people, artists, creators. The "normies" never really cared about the original movie, so if you're trying to cash on this season box office, you need it to go with something more family friendly, and if they went a little bit far in the direction of the weird and wonderful, in this age, where everyone is looking for motives to be offended by something, so they can post a video on TikTok and become internet famous, you could face a boycott of some sort.
family friendly movies are weird. Wizard of Oz is weird. Any great movie is weird. Wonka was written as a weirdo in they original book. If he isn;'t one the story is unfaithful and will lose its essence.@@rubendacostaesilva8442 Our culture is losing its imagination.
I'm not really a fan of the original, but I was surprised by how much I did actually liked the movie. A lot of it, especially the music, it done more like a Broadway musical. Which is different than the original. Dan is right about the character of Wonka. Wilder makes plays him a pretty sarcastic genius. The new one plays him as a whimsical magician. it is well made. So I think it is worth a look.
Wilder's Wonka was a little dangerous and sinister because for years he had been shutting himself away in his factory protecting his secrets and had become miss trusting of the outside world🙄, I can completely beleive that he might have been as soft and charming as this younger version. Just out of the cinema and loved it!!❤
Yeah I can see this Wonka taking the wrong message from his mother’s note at the end and becoming too trusting and letting the wrong people into his life resulting in him becoming Wilder Wonka, hell we already saw how naive he could be after he trusted Scrubbit and Bleacher
You can tell an embargo just lifted when 3 reviews of this come out from just my subscribed channels within a minute. But I'm watching yours first Dan!
It's number 1. In only its first weekend, Wonka earned $151 million at the box office, leaving many wondering what factors led to the prequel movie's incredible success... con't.
When I watch Gene’s Willy Wonka, I got the sense that this man had one real messed up past, or at least some messed up stories that brought this almost eerie demeanor to certain scenes he was in. I think the appeal of that Wonka was not knowing exactly what that was, which fed into not knowing exactly what Wonka was capable of. It gave the movie a bit of a thriller undertone which is just a sharp contrast to the happy go luckily look of Wonka’s factory from the outside looking in. The only way this movie could’ve really done anything for me is if they went much harder on the origins of that unsettling demeanor… because showing any backstory to begin with is already taking away from the lore we had with watching Gene’s Wonka… so commit to the story we love and the reason most people would go to see this in the first place
I liked some of Burton's take where Wonka's dad is a psychopath. It makes sense to me that there's a lot suppressed there. As well as fairy stuff, like in Peter Pan's background from The White Bird that never gets included. Unfortunately, its not whimsical enough and too covert with its implications. You might have needed the lore how humans were routinely kidnapped by faerie nobility and changed by their stays, and shown the connection between dead spirits and fae (without that, you have no hope of understanding Peter Pan). Also, you need to get into Roald Dahl's kind of awful head and maybe the awfulness of Victorians who created the whimsical children+fairyland multiverse as it were. It goes further than Alice and Wonderland.
Great point, but as someone already post it in the comments, the goal was not making a real origin story of the character, but to create a save family friendly movie, to cash up some of the Christmas box office.
@@rubendacostaesilva8442 and that’s on consumerism lol, but every piece of art that’s released regardless of the medium, is subject to criticism… so these are my critiques. They were better off claiming a reimagining because claiming a prequel leaves the door wide open for those who loved the classic
To be fair to the marketing team, I felt exactly the same way about the trailer as you did about the film! (Or maybe they would have done their job better if they had lied to me?)
I was a little kid in the 70s and Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka gave me nightmares. The movie absolutely terrified me and I truly thought the kids were being killed off. The Oompa Loompa song can still send a creepy shiver down my spine. Hated that movie for years. When I rewatched the movie as an adult, I finally was able to appreciate it. Gene Wilder was brilliant, but scary as hell to 6-year-old me. I actually liked the Depp version of Wonka, because he was quirky rather than scary… more like a spoiled child. I plan to check out the new Wonka movie, since it sounds like it won’t give me nightmares. That’s a win! 😉
Again, you nailed it Dan. I saw this film at a screening recently, and I felt the same as you. The film is too safe, Timothee Chalamet is weak, and the songs aren't even that good. It's not a bad film, but it's not a very good one either. I loved Olivia Coleman (as Miss Hannigan lol) and Hugh Grant as a snarky Oompa Loompa. That's about it. I'm an original 1971 Wonka film lover, so I was hoping for a better, and truer prequel.
You can't fake whimsical, you're either weird to your core or you're not. Both Gene and Johnny are weird in real life while Chalamet was just a direct pick from the executives with no casting required.
When you're a great actor (and Chalamet is), you can play a weirdo. You can be whatever you want, that's the true essence of acting. Besides, who among us is completely and utterly normal?
@@myytchanneldinakoha8498 But that is a chauvinist opinion. Do you think that Shalamet is only recognized for his beautiful face? Why do you think directors are racing to cast him next? No, he's just a good actor. And women aren't stupid either, do you think they're all that superficial? It seems to me that some men condemn Chalamet a priori, but when there is a pretty and capable actress, everyone praises her. It's a double standard. So keep the stupid talk to yourself.
I haven't seen the movie (I didn't even know it was coming out anytime soon), but wouldn't someone like Andrew Garfield be a much better fit for the Wonka role? He's a fantastic singer, can play quirky, silly, & weird, & he's an incredibly talented actor on top of that.
Not for this version. Garfield is already older than Wilder was in 1971, believe it ir not. 😊 This story needed a younger actor and Chalamet is actually very good in it.
Timothee Chalamet is an awesome actor but I don’t think this role was for him. I genuinely wanted someone like Elijah Wood or Daniel Radcliffe to play Wonka because they both have that gleeful energy with eyes full of wonder and a bit of uneasiness but sincere child-like excitement that Gene Wilder had.
I sat by the boxy television as a kid to pause and restart VHS recording when the Gene Wilder Wonka aired so I could have my own ad-free copy to rewatch a million times, so I was VERY skeptical of this movie. Felt like a Star Wars fanboy crouched protectively over my ancient VHS tape lol Thank you for the review, Dan, I'm thinking I'll pass this one. Especially when I just watched Godzilla Minus One, which was a wholly worthwhile addition to a storied franchise
I don't usually disagree with Dan on a lot, but I mostly disagree with this one. The one thing I do agree with however is Timothèe's vocals are not as strong as you'd expect for the lead in a musical. But then again, all due respect, neither were Gene Wilder's in the original.
I thought it was "fine". Wonka wasn't the worst part of it, the movie's emphasis on Noodle and her storyline was too much of a distraction made obvious by how badly the Noodle actor's performance was. She was flat, not animated in a movie full of animated characters, and her side story ended up going nowhere (ended with a hug with her mom). Hugh Grant stole the show and should have been in there more (taking the place of Noodle helping Wonka).
I watched this review after I saw the film and I totally agree that its missing the edge. However, about 20 mins in, I just started to look at the film as a charming story of a choclatier trying to make his way in the world. By separating it from the origin story side of it, I had a lot more fun. Maybe that won't work for anyone, but recognising that there was never a chance that this thing would be greenlit without a brand attached to it, it did help me out...
Great review Dan as always. You are my favorite person to watch for your critiques and charts. However… I disagree about the “How Willy became Wonka,” marketing. I see it as if Air had the quote, “How Michael became Jordan.” The last name is the brand and what the character is known as. Wonka is the brand. The idea. The personality. But maybe I’m wrong, it just worked for me.
I think so too. I doubt anyone will know who Willy Wonka is if they just prefer him as "Willy" but if anyone mentioned his last name, I'm sure tons of people know who he is
I don't have a problem, it's a great marketing slogan, the only problem is that the movie doesn't really tell the story. But of course, one doesn't know that until they watch it, and at that point, well... the advertisers did their job and got you to bite. It's a nice, sweet, entertaining, fun movie, but it doesn't really depict how "Willy became Wonka". They'll either have to make another sequel/prequel for that, or we'll have to use our imagination. Someone above actually wrote an interesting and plausible comment on how it could have happened, on how the Timothee Chalomet Willy Wonka we have in this movie became the Wilder Wonka we get in the '71 film, but if that's the case, we don't see it realized in this film.
Honestly though, how many of the general audiences remember Wilder’s Wonka? At least to the point where they feel a disconnect with Chalamet’s ‘safe’ version. I think very little parents, let alone kids. Not to offend big Wilder Wonka diehards.
Your thoughts on the approach to the character were my thoughts exactly. If it doesn't have a slightly mean-spirited edge to it, it ain't really Wonka.
I kind of look at this movie as the "good ending" version of Willy Wonka in another dimension. Timothee is so charming and lighthearted, it's really hard to believe that the Wilder Wonka and MUCH less Depp's cynical snarky Wonka could ever be pulled out of him. That being said, I LOVE "good ending" Wonka.
The only thing that saves this is if they turn it into a trilogy and in the final one, he fires everyone and gets hurt goes crazy and allows the town to live in poverty until High Grant tells him to give away golden tickets on his death bed
I haven't seen the film yet of course, but the notion of a prequel and my small glimpse through the trailer do not interest me. I like that Gene Wilder's version is mysterious... you don't know if he is friends or the enemy of the kids. Making him super whimsical and magical breaks what I enjoyed about the character. Great review as always, Dan.
Very insightful review. I understand exactly what you mean when you say that there is no sense of danger to this character. You want the vibes of Bugs Bunny and the Cat in the Hat.
I completely agree with your take on the Chalamet casting choice. I love Timothy, but he does deep heartfelt bittersweet, not warm cozy like this take on the role, or lovable showstopper unhinged like the Wilder version.
Do you plan on reviewing “The Hold Overs”? I loved it and was happy to see the Actor / Director team from “Sideways” return. I think I may even add it to my list of annual Christmas movies.
Just got back from the theatre and I must say that your view of the film is exactly what I felt just articulated more coherently and succinctly. I just wish the studio understood what made Wonka so compelling of a character before they made this version of the movie.
I think Chalamet was perfect..he absolutely plays whimsy correctly. I believe he was going for the young idealism that is to change into Wilder's version. And we loved his singing voice. Please don't buy this reviewer's take.
One of the few roles where Tom Holland was probably a better fit for a role that went to Chalamet (using them as contemporaries who are often compared).
Finally saw this movie yesterday and honestly.... it was fun! No, it doesnt really explain the Wonka of the Charlie book at all but I wasn't exactly invested in his backstory anyway 😅 I also never really enjoyed how creepy Gene Wilder was so I can't say I'm missing that either haha. I thought Chalamet sang nicely and the songs were pleasant, the whimsy was lovely and gave me Mary Poppins vibes and just, yeah A cute fun film that I'd watch again at christmas if it was ln
I read somewhere about Ezra Miller as Wonka. I don't like Miller as a person but he would have been a better choice because he has the right level of chaos to match the whimsy of Wonka's personality. Still, the film looks decent and I'd like to check it out!
I completely disagree with this reviewer's critique of Chalamet's singing voice. I ithought he delivered very strong vocals, as did the other cast members that sang. If you want to see what weak vocals look like in a movie musical, watch "La La Land".
Thank you for your review.. I was more eager to watch the movie.. It was not a disappointment but a wonderful wonka. Love Chalamet playing Wonka, he is the right choice as Willy Wonka. The movie was not like you described.. thank you. 😅
Rebecca: I don't want to be part of the Akufo League. Higgins: Oh, why? Because he's an emotionally erratic billionaire with the temperament of one of those kids in Willy Wonka that gets murdered at the chocolate factory? Rebecca: I don't think that's what happens, Leslie. Higgins: I hate to break it to you, Rebecca, but those children are dead.
The Wilder Wonka was actually scary as a kid and so much better for it. We've forgotten or denied a key characteristic inherent to all great works that capture our imagination: uncertainty.
I may be in the minority, but I did see brief flashes of Wilder in the performance. I'd quite like to see this hopeful, optimistic version of Wonka 'do an Anakin'.
Chalamet’s Wonka opens his factory as a cherry you by man… THEN he has to deal with many many instances of industrial espionage and theft which results in him firing all the human workers and bringing in only Oompa Loompas. Then he becomes Gene Wilder after man years!!!! “Leaves very little to remember it by!??” Uh?? Myself and my 15 & 16 year olds loved it, and talked about it all the way home!
I'm a big fan of the new Wonka film, at the same time, I'm interested to hear the thoughts of people that weren't so keen on the film and what aspects didn't work for them. While I am also a big fan of the soundtrack, I also admit that for my ears, several of the songs did feel a little simplistic in melodic nature, though what still won me over with such songs was the enthusiasm with which the cast performed them, and the arrangements done for the songs were very polished and crafty :-) I tried watching the Paddington films to see how they were in comparison to Wonka. For me, they were nice too, but felt like the team delivered their B-game there. For Wonka though, I get this sense of heightened enthusiasm from this team, like they had a lot of fun doing this, and they all brought their A-game to it, and put a lot of love and care into the project. I appreciated it :-)
Dahl hated Gene Wilder's Wonka ( rather like P.L.Travers hated Disney's Mary Poppins ). His original is an outsider, people-hater and all round sadist.
In an attempt to be a movie critic, you failed to watch this movie without reflecting on a past piece of work which may not be relevant. This movie was FANTASTIC! You missed the magic in its beautiful story that removes the creepy strange predecessor of Wilder that was so off-putting to a previous generation. This movie is a must-see.
I'm not attempting to be a movie critic, I am a movie critic. That's how I make my living. Setting that aside, I didn't fail to watch this movie any way. You are expressing your opinion (that Wilder's version was creepy and offputting) as if it was a fact. It's not. I'm happy that you enjoyed the film, but people who didn't like it as much didn't fail to see it the right way. It's just a difference of opinion. I liked the film, but didn't love it.
It’s the « Solo » effect where they focus on the feel of the character when they should have aimed for the essence. Wonka isn’t a pink coat and a hat, he’s maniac.
The new Young Willy Wonka seems more like a mixture of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonkas than just being a specific one of them. For example, Young Wonka’s outfit seems more like Gene Wilder’s Wonka with the hat and the bright uniquely patterned shirt but the general colour scheme of his outfit such as his coat looks more like Johnny Depp’s Wonka. Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka also has curly hair, an optimistic charming smile and energy similar to Gene Wilder’s Wonka.
Its a kids movie. Keep it within that context. Why the original was so beloved was because most of us were exposed to it as kids, and we didnt over think or dissect it to the degree obsessive old nerds seem to take it. In short, you are harshing the buzz for the kids.
I would never tell kids not to enjoy a movie, especially this one. My job is to review movies from my perspective, not from someone else's. I don't review Minions movies from a five-year-old's perspective - obviously, they would react differently from me. Me only mildly enjoying Wonka will have no effect on whether kids like it nor not, I assure you. Every generation has its own classics, and that's great. We don't have to share the same opinions of them.
We’ll Haven’t watched it yet but…Saying that this Willy Wonka is a very safe because he’s a nice man and the Willy Wonka in the 1971 is not, you forget that Willy Wonka in the original book is a nice weird man. Every time something bad happened to a kid he reacted accordingly. He’s more charming in the book and playful and childish, very creative a little bit sinister but overall a good man
I feel the same way about yourself about a Willy Wonka origin movie. I thought it was a dumb idea when it was announced too, because it gets rid of the audience identification figure of Charlie Bucket. Willy Wonka is a fun character, but his eccentricity makes him a more distant figure for viewers rather than a potentially relatable one. However, the trailers for this do look great and I like that they seem to be going for the underdog angle. As for your point about Timothy Chamalet not having the power in his voice for a musical, I would say the same about Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder was an excellent choice for Willy Wonka, but I don't think he really had a powerful singing voice either. Although there aren't really that many songs in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory anyway.
I saw on tumblr that someone described this movies as “a movie about a bunny when it needed to be a movie about a hare” and I haven’t gotten that description out of my mind. Also someone who suggested Aubrey Plaza as Wonka - she would have been absolutely perfect.
I watched the movie this week at the cinema. To me it was mixture of Wes Anderson and Disney. Looking at the plot/story and comparing it with " Wish" I have to say that this is the anniversary movie Disney should have done (instead of " Wish").
I'm mildly interested to see this one, but I just don't think it's worth spending an afternoon off or a babysitter night to go to the theater for. At almost 2 hours, I think it's too long to try to bring our 4-year old to, as well, so I guess this might be a streaming watch someday.
If you look hard enough, you can find it now, I watched it online a couple days ago. But if it's a WB title, I imagine it'll show up on Max in a few months.
It's a fantastically funny, heartfelt film for kids. I didn't believe for a second Chalamet was the same guy as Wilder, but I'm not judging the movie based on the previous one. I loved it.
Ok that’s exactly it! My kids LOVED IT
Agreed! I honestly haven’t laughed (and cried) in one movie this hard in a while. It helps I saw it with my two boys and that enhances the magic a bit. But I totally loved it and look forward to seeing it again. Funny though, I did not know that it was written by the Paddington folks, and that was my first thought leaving. This is very Paddington like, lol. Great review though!
When I accepted it as a surreal musical origin story instead of a direct sequel, I started to enjoy it.
The fact that this movie moved me to tears impressed me a lot
@@BAYoungbloodright?! I've seen it two times. First time it caught me totally by surprise but after like a week or two seeing it again with my son's class I thought I'm golden... Yeah, the kids still laughed at me cause I cried so much at the end 😂
It’s very pleasant and heartfelt. It’s a type of movie that makes you feel very homey which is perfect for the holiday season.
The original movie already explained why he became the jaded man he is. This movie shows the optimistic young chocolate maker he started out as. Then after years and years of people stealing his ideas and formulas and other corporate dickheads battling him, he would become bitter and pessimistic
The Wonka 2 movie
@@MPbmfm idk this one felt family friendly and good for kids. If they did a sequel about how he became bitter and jaded by the end, it would be kinda depressing. Theyd probably have him have another adventure in the sequel or something
@@jchandlersabeast You're right
I feel like this "doesn't get it right but doesn't get it completely wrong" is the epitome of films these days
I just want to be entertained and I hope this movie can make me feel good while watching it.
In my opinion "the creator" was different. But that film didn't get much attention. This made me think: What was first? The settling for shallow movies or the mainstream film industry turning their movies into exactly that?
It's often been the case, but there are some that pulled it off great like Top Gun imo
"Playing it safe" is the mantra of Hollywood these days.
I’ve seen a lot of mediocre movies since COVID hit. Whether in theaters or on streaming! Luckily for me, this wasn’t the case.
This movie was released this weekend in the UK. Having worked at the cinema chain over the weekend, every Wonka showtime we had was fully sold out and the reactions after the film per showtime was overwhelmingly positive and a lot of younger audiences wanted to see it again.
I'm looking for a movie I can take my young kids to. So "not dark and subversive enough" actually sounds pretty good. It would be nice to take them to a film that doesn't have me answering awkward questions afterwards.
This film is what you are looking for
They will love it!
Take them to this, and I can almost promise you they’ll ask you to take them again
Now I want to see the movie about how Dan became Murrell. You can't tease us like that, Dan! 😅
Does he find like a magical closet that has a baseball cap, plaid shirts, and tee shirts?
Also he loses hair by pulling it out watching, “Battlefield Earth”. Making John Travolta the main villain when he comes back to haunt Dan with Gotti!
The best thing to happen is for Dan to be played by Scoops McGee.
I hope this week's Charts with Dan is at least 3 hours long.
So many things to cover. I'm ready for a long show.
Bet.
Same
I had no idea what day of the week it was without it lmao
Dan, if you're listening, I will upgrade my Patreon if it's over an hour
I just saw it. I understand some of your criticisms, and you would need another movie to get to the Darkness of Gene Wilder's performance. But in the end, that didn't really matter to me - I found the movie incredibly charming and it had heart. I hope "A World of Our Own" gets a Best Song Nomination. One of my favorite movies of the year.
It's a lovely whimsical movie. Better than I expected. Just watched it last night (it premiered in Brazil this weekend) and thought Paul King gave it the right Paddington tone. A family film that's very sweet (pun intended), but not cheesy. It's not as great as Paddington 2 (a masterpiece!), but it's very good. Yes, they use the song, but I feel like this is a new Wonka for a new generation, they weren't trying to make him like the original. I don't have nostalgia for it, so I liked Chalamet in the role. Better than Depp, for sure.
Honestly, 'pleasant' was exactly what I was hoping for with this movie. Looking forward to seeing it this holiday season.
This is probably like the prequel SW movies where, in another 20-25 years, we'll have a wave of people who are kids today that will have fond memories of this film.
I’m thinking of putting the original on for my little boy… he loves weird and zany.
Honestly, that kinda makes me sad.
Maybe I'm forgetting something but Wilder's Wonka never seemed obsessed with chocolate. He seemed like a quirky industrialist who stumbled into a market and made himself an expert in it, but still kept his options open. 90% of his factory wasn't even about chocolate at all
So right off the bat the idea of a young Wonka with a defining ambition to surmount a chocolate cartel to open his own shop feels off. It's part of a tired conception of character prequels that make every aspect of a character -- down to their fashion and hairstyle -- an immutable property they've never swayed from their whole life
both previous actors played him with a creepy edge to them as well. In sth original book he had some creepy tendencies. it's part of thr character.
Agreed. As a writing mechanic, the concept of a "Chocolate Cartel" is just lazy. It immediately makes me suspend dis-belief just because of how ridiculous it is. Accessory ridiculousness is acceptable (costumes, accents, stylization, etc...). Core plot points, not so much. Immediately gives the audience the sense you think they're dumb.
@@SirTotallyAveragethe sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a whole book about them flying around in an elevator. Roald Dahl's stories are inherently ridiculous
@@cshaffrey3438 True enough. I just think if they go for ridiculous they should commit; not copy paste some rival business throughline just because its easier than actually adapting the source material in a smart way.
The chocolate cartel is mentioned in the 1970's movie. The weird knife salesman on the street tells Charlie about how all the other chocolatiers worked together to steal Wonka's secrets, which is why he closed everything down. What I don't like is how Wonka in the prequel can make antigrav chocolate when in the original movie he talks about not yet getting fizzy lifting drinks right.
I might be mistaken but the Gene Wilder Wonka with its dark tone was considered a box office fail though obviously became a beloved cult classic later, with that said maybe the studio decided to avoid the ambiguous danger part of Wonka just in case, a mistake in my book bc the dark comedy in the original is what makes it great but at the same time I can’t blame the makers of the prequel either
Yes!! I always think of Willy Wonka as slightly deranged/creepy
it's in the book. In fact it was taken out after the first printing, but he completely exploited the oompa loompas in an intentionally morally ambiguous way. HE's a weird and dangerous guy in the book and the previous adaptations. New hollywood movies have no edge.
You make a valid point. What most people, a lot of critics included, failed to understand is that the original movie and character, didn't resonate with many people. Most of the people that I know that love the original are "weirdos", in a positive way of course, imaginative people, artists, creators. The "normies" never really cared about the original movie, so if you're trying to cash on this season box office, you need it to go with something more family friendly, and if they went a little bit far in the direction of the weird and wonderful, in this age, where everyone is looking for motives to be offended by something, so they can post a video on TikTok and become internet famous, you could face a boycott of some sort.
Yes, it was flop
family friendly movies are weird. Wizard of Oz is weird. Any great movie is weird. Wonka was written as a weirdo in they original book. If he isn;'t one the story is unfaithful and will lose its essence.@@rubendacostaesilva8442 Our culture is losing its imagination.
I'm not really a fan of the original, but I was surprised by how much I did actually liked the movie. A lot of it, especially the music, it done more like a Broadway musical. Which is different than the original. Dan is right about the character of Wonka. Wilder makes plays him a pretty sarcastic genius. The new one plays him as a whimsical magician. it is well made. So I think it is worth a look.
Wilder's Wonka was a little dangerous and sinister because for years he had been shutting himself away in his factory protecting his secrets and had become miss trusting of the outside world🙄, I can completely beleive that he might have been as soft and charming as this younger version. Just out of the cinema and loved it!!❤
Yeah I can see this Wonka taking the wrong message from his mother’s note at the end and becoming too trusting and letting the wrong people into his life resulting in him becoming Wilder Wonka, hell we already saw how naive he could be after he trusted Scrubbit and Bleacher
You can tell an embargo just lifted when 3 reviews of this come out from just my subscribed channels within a minute. But I'm watching yours first Dan!
Hmm I wanna guess which they are. Is it Dans, Chris Stuckman and I wanna say Grace??
Who is grace?
@@bibek12332beyond the trailer
@@bibek12332Grace Randolph
@@hakeemsesay15It was those 3 for me haha
Brb. Working on my Charts with Dan prequel script: Murrell.
I guess having not seen the first movie was s blessing in disguise. I absolutely loved this movie.
“Too safe” isn’t going to put butts in seats these days
It's number 1. In only its first weekend, Wonka earned $151 million at the box office, leaving many wondering what factors led to the prequel movie's incredible success... con't.
How Dan became Murell? As in, the Murrel Metric?!
Love your cold opens! Good day sir!
When I watch Gene’s Willy Wonka, I got the sense that this man had one real messed up past, or at least some messed up stories that brought this almost eerie demeanor to certain scenes he was in. I think the appeal of that Wonka was not knowing exactly what that was, which fed into not knowing exactly what Wonka was capable of. It gave the movie a bit of a thriller undertone which is just a sharp contrast to the happy go luckily look of Wonka’s factory from the outside looking in. The only way this movie could’ve really done anything for me is if they went much harder on the origins of that unsettling demeanor… because showing any backstory to begin with is already taking away from the lore we had with watching Gene’s Wonka… so commit to the story we love and the reason most people would go to see this in the first place
I liked some of Burton's take where Wonka's dad is a psychopath. It makes sense to me that there's a lot suppressed there. As well as fairy stuff, like in Peter Pan's background from The White Bird that never gets included. Unfortunately, its not whimsical enough and too covert with its implications. You might have needed the lore how humans were routinely kidnapped by faerie nobility and changed by their stays, and shown the connection between dead spirits and fae (without that, you have no hope of understanding Peter Pan).
Also, you need to get into Roald Dahl's kind of awful head and maybe the awfulness of Victorians who created the whimsical children+fairyland multiverse as it were. It goes further than Alice and Wonderland.
Great point, but as someone already post it in the comments, the goal was not making a real origin story of the character, but to create a save family friendly movie, to cash up some of the Christmas box office.
@@rubendacostaesilva8442 and that’s on consumerism lol, but every piece of art that’s released regardless of the medium, is subject to criticism… so these are my critiques. They were better off claiming a reimagining because claiming a prequel leaves the door wide open for those who loved the classic
To be fair to the marketing team, I felt exactly the same way about the trailer as you did about the film! (Or maybe they would have done their job better if they had lied to me?)
Who would've thought that little Timmy C from Homeland S2 would go on to be in practically everything well before he even turned 30?!
I can see the ads now:
"Wonka is a movie" - Dan Murrell
I was a little kid in the 70s and Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka gave me nightmares. The movie absolutely terrified me and I truly thought the kids were being killed off. The Oompa Loompa song can still send a creepy shiver down my spine. Hated that movie for years. When I rewatched the movie as an adult, I finally was able to appreciate it. Gene Wilder was brilliant, but scary as hell to 6-year-old me. I actually liked the Depp version of Wonka, because he was quirky rather than scary… more like a spoiled child. I plan to check out the new Wonka movie, since it sounds like it won’t give me nightmares. That’s a win! 😉
So which Wonka do you like the most?
Again, you nailed it Dan. I saw this film at a screening recently, and I felt the same as you. The film is too safe, Timothee Chalamet is weak, and the songs aren't even that good. It's not a bad film, but it's not a very good one either. I loved Olivia Coleman (as Miss Hannigan lol) and Hugh Grant as a snarky Oompa Loompa. That's about it. I'm an original 1971 Wonka film lover, so I was hoping for a better, and truer prequel.
You can't fake whimsical, you're either weird to your core or you're not. Both Gene and Johnny are weird in real life while Chalamet was just a direct pick from the executives with no casting required.
When you're a great actor (and Chalamet is), you can play a weirdo. You can be whatever you want, that's the true essence of acting. Besides, who among us is completely and utterly normal?
@@myytchanneldinakoha8498 But that is a chauvinist opinion. Do you think that Shalamet is only recognized for his beautiful face? Why do you think directors are racing to cast him next? No, he's just a good actor. And women aren't stupid either, do you think they're all that superficial? It seems to me that some men condemn Chalamet a priori, but when there is a pretty and capable actress, everyone praises her. It's a double standard. So keep the stupid talk to yourself.
@@myytchanneldinakoha8498 I don’t see any
Why are people giving opinions on a movie they did not watch. That’s so annoying!
I haven't seen the movie (I didn't even know it was coming out anytime soon), but wouldn't someone like Andrew Garfield be a much better fit for the Wonka role?
He's a fantastic singer, can play quirky, silly, & weird, & he's an incredibly talented actor on top of that.
Not for this version. Garfield is already older than Wilder was in 1971, believe it ir not. 😊 This story needed a younger actor and Chalamet is actually very good in it.
Timothee Chalamet is an awesome actor but I don’t think this role was for him. I genuinely wanted someone like Elijah Wood or Daniel Radcliffe to play Wonka because they both have that gleeful energy with eyes full of wonder and a bit of uneasiness but sincere child-like excitement that Gene Wilder had.
Bone's and All / Wonka double feature for the kids 😝
I sat by the boxy television as a kid to pause and restart VHS recording when the Gene Wilder Wonka aired so I could have my own ad-free copy to rewatch a million times, so I was VERY skeptical of this movie. Felt like a Star Wars fanboy crouched protectively over my ancient VHS tape lol
Thank you for the review, Dan, I'm thinking I'll pass this one. Especially when I just watched Godzilla Minus One, which was a wholly worthwhile addition to a storied franchise
Maybe watch Cris Stuckman’s review! He seemed to like it quite a bit.
I love Timothee, but this would’ve been a perfect Tom Holland roll.
😂
The original Willy Wonka came out over 50 years ago... 1971. WOW!
I don't usually disagree with Dan on a lot, but I mostly disagree with this one. The one thing I do agree with however is Timothèe's vocals are not as strong as you'd expect for the lead in a musical. But then again, all due respect, neither were Gene Wilder's in the original.
I thought it was "fine". Wonka wasn't the worst part of it, the movie's emphasis on Noodle and her storyline was too much of a distraction made obvious by how badly the Noodle actor's performance was. She was flat, not animated in a movie full of animated characters, and her side story ended up going nowhere (ended with a hug with her mom). Hugh Grant stole the show and should have been in there more (taking the place of Noodle helping Wonka).
Respectfully Dan no matter what you say in this review nothing can convince me to skip a film starring Hugh Grant as a magical Oompa Loompa
I never said to skip it. It’s perfectly pleasant.
@@DanMurrellMoviesThat's good to hear
@@DanMurrellMoviesto be real I wrote this before watching and I’m glad to hear that my goat Paul king did not disappoint
I watched this review after I saw the film and I totally agree that its missing the edge. However, about 20 mins in, I just started to look at the film as a charming story of a choclatier trying to make his way in the world. By separating it from the origin story side of it, I had a lot more fun. Maybe that won't work for anyone, but recognising that there was never a chance that this thing would be greenlit without a brand attached to it, it did help me out...
Great review Dan as always. You are my favorite person to watch for your critiques and charts. However… I disagree about the “How Willy became Wonka,” marketing. I see it as if Air had the quote, “How Michael became Jordan.” The last name is the brand and what the character is known as. Wonka is the brand. The idea. The personality. But maybe I’m wrong, it just worked for me.
I think so too. I doubt anyone will know who Willy Wonka is if they just prefer him as "Willy" but if anyone mentioned his last name, I'm sure tons of people know who he is
I don't have a problem, it's a great marketing slogan, the only problem is that the movie doesn't really tell the story. But of course, one doesn't know that until they watch it, and at that point, well... the advertisers did their job and got you to bite. It's a nice, sweet, entertaining, fun movie, but it doesn't really depict how "Willy became Wonka". They'll either have to make another sequel/prequel for that, or we'll have to use our imagination. Someone above actually wrote an interesting and plausible comment on how it could have happened, on how the Timothee Chalomet Willy Wonka we have in this movie became the Wilder Wonka we get in the '71 film, but if that's the case, we don't see it realized in this film.
One of the problems with movies today is there’s no emotion, just alot of watercolors thrown up on the screen, just my opinion, thanks Dan!
There's emotion in this movie, I have seen other reviewers even say they shed a few tears watching it.
If Depp based his WONKA on Michael Jackson, then Chalamet's inspiration was Pauly Shore. Thank goodness for Hugh Grant!
Have a great year Dan❤💙. Much love to you and Mara. Thanks for all the good videos. They helped a lot
Honestly though, how many of the general audiences remember Wilder’s Wonka? At least to the point where they feel a disconnect with Chalamet’s ‘safe’ version. I think very little parents, let alone kids. Not to offend big Wilder Wonka diehards.
Your thoughts on the approach to the character were my thoughts exactly. If it doesn't have a slightly mean-spirited edge to it, it ain't really Wonka.
I kind of look at this movie as the "good ending" version of Willy Wonka in another dimension. Timothee is so charming and lighthearted, it's really hard to believe that the Wilder Wonka and MUCH less Depp's cynical snarky Wonka could ever be pulled out of him.
That being said, I LOVE "good ending" Wonka.
The only thing that saves this is if they turn it into a trilogy and in the final one, he fires everyone and gets hurt goes crazy and allows the town to live in poverty until High Grant tells him to give away golden tickets on his death bed
Timothee played it well!
The boat ride in the original still gives me nightmares
I always fast forward when I watch it
Bad story, bad music, bad acting (not bad actors, bad directing) bad filming. Not representative almost at all of the original movie.
I haven't seen the film yet of course, but the notion of a prequel and my small glimpse through the trailer do not interest me. I like that Gene Wilder's version is mysterious... you don't know if he is friends or the enemy of the kids. Making him super whimsical and magical breaks what I enjoyed about the character. Great review as always, Dan.
Very insightful review. I understand exactly what you mean when you say that there is no sense of danger to this character. You want the vibes of Bugs Bunny and the Cat in the Hat.
They did a pretty good job with the sequel "Snowpiercer" so I think I'll give this movie a chance.
2:49 and don't forget the film is produced by David Heyman who produced the Harry Potter films, the Paddington films, and most recently Barbie.
I loved the movie so much! Chalamet's portrayal makes a lot of sense and to me does feel like a younger version of Gene Wilder's character.
I completely agree with your take on the Chalamet casting choice. I love Timothy, but he does deep heartfelt bittersweet, not warm cozy like this take on the role, or lovable showstopper unhinged like the Wilder version.
I do like that King keeps trying to drown his characters whenever he can. He’s the real Wonka.
Do you plan on reviewing “The Hold Overs”? I loved it and was happy to see the Actor / Director team from “Sideways” return. I think I may even add it to my list of annual Christmas movies.
Just got back from the theatre and I must say that your view of the film is exactly what I felt just articulated more coherently and succinctly. I just wish the studio understood what made Wonka so compelling of a character before they made this version of the movie.
I think Chalamet was perfect..he absolutely plays whimsy correctly. I believe he was going for the young idealism that is to change into Wilder's version. And we loved his singing voice. Please don't buy this reviewer's take.
Film worked for me. Only one thing missing in it was Paddington :)
One of the few roles where Tom Holland was probably a better fit for a role that went to Chalamet (using them as contemporaries who are often compared).
No Timothee Chalamet was perfect for this role.
Absolutely not tom Holland Only knows to act as Spiderman
Finally saw this movie yesterday and honestly.... it was fun! No, it doesnt really explain the Wonka of the Charlie book at all but I wasn't exactly invested in his backstory anyway 😅
I also never really enjoyed how creepy Gene Wilder was so I can't say I'm missing that either haha. I thought Chalamet sang nicely and the songs were pleasant, the whimsy was lovely and gave me Mary Poppins vibes and just, yeah
A cute fun film that I'd watch again at christmas if it was ln
I read somewhere about Ezra Miller as Wonka. I don't like Miller as a person but he would have been a better choice because he has the right level of chaos to match the whimsy of Wonka's personality. Still, the film looks decent and I'd like to check it out!
Ezra would immediately kill this movie
I completely disagree with this reviewer's critique of Chalamet's singing voice. I ithought he delivered very strong vocals, as did the other cast members that sang. If you want to see what weak vocals look like in a movie musical, watch "La La Land".
Timothee was perfect to play a younger, naive, and more innocent version of Willy Wonka.
Gene Wilder's Willy was dark and crazy.... and therefore awesome....
Thank you for your review.. I was more eager to watch the movie.. It was not a disappointment but a wonderful wonka. Love Chalamet playing Wonka, he is the right choice as Willy Wonka. The movie was not like you described.. thank you. 😅
I’m skipping this one… plus I’m not a Chalamet fan. I think he’s way overrated thanks to social media
While I disagree with your opinion (I LOVED it), I always appreciate your articulate opinion.
Rebecca: I don't want to be part of the Akufo League.
Higgins: Oh, why? Because he's an emotionally erratic billionaire with the temperament of one of those kids in Willy Wonka that gets murdered at the chocolate factory?
Rebecca: I don't think that's what happens, Leslie.
Higgins: I hate to break it to you, Rebecca, but those children are dead.
"Not the worst case scenario you imagined" is about the best case scenario I imagined.
The Wilder Wonka was actually scary as a kid and so much better for it. We've forgotten or denied a key characteristic inherent to all great works that capture our imagination: uncertainty.
I may be in the minority, but I did see brief flashes of Wilder in the performance.
I'd quite like to see this hopeful, optimistic version of Wonka 'do an Anakin'.
I wish Jeremy Allen White would've played a younger Willy Wonka. He has the look and could've pulled off Wonka's darker side.
Well cynicism usually comes with age
Just like Denis Villeneuve in Dune, it was Paul King who specifically wanted Chalamet. Not some executive who scrolled on social media and saw "rizz"
Chalamet’s Wonka opens his factory as a cherry you by man…
THEN he has to deal with many many instances of industrial espionage and theft which results in him firing all the human workers and bringing in only Oompa Loompas. Then he becomes Gene Wilder after man years!!!!
“Leaves very little to remember it by!??” Uh?? Myself and my 15 & 16 year olds loved it, and talked about it all the way home!
And I'm happy to hear that! I never think my opinions should be shared by everyone, and I'm glad you had a great time at the movies.
I'm going to see it. The songs are written by Neil Hannon and I love Neil Hannon to pieces.
Damn... I was hoping to see how Willy Wonka got so messed up and slightly demented. Bummer.
It's actually Simon Farnaby... or, as he's randomly introduced in the Mighty Boosh, Simon McFarnaby
I'm a big fan of the new Wonka film, at the same time, I'm interested to hear the thoughts of people that weren't so keen on the film and what aspects didn't work for them.
While I am also a big fan of the soundtrack, I also admit that for my ears, several of the songs did feel a little simplistic in melodic nature, though what still won me over with such songs was the enthusiasm with which the cast performed them, and the arrangements done for the songs were very polished and crafty :-)
I tried watching the Paddington films to see how they were in comparison to Wonka. For me, they were nice too, but felt like the team delivered their B-game there. For Wonka though, I get this sense of heightened enthusiasm from this team, like they had a lot of fun doing this, and they all brought their A-game to it, and put a lot of love and care into the project. I appreciated it :-)
Dahl hated Gene Wilder's Wonka ( rather like P.L.Travers hated Disney's Mary Poppins ). His original is an outsider, people-hater and all round sadist.
In an attempt to be a movie critic, you failed to watch this movie without reflecting on a past piece of work which may not be relevant. This movie was FANTASTIC! You missed the magic in its beautiful story that removes the creepy strange predecessor of Wilder that was so off-putting to a previous generation. This movie is a must-see.
I'm not attempting to be a movie critic, I am a movie critic. That's how I make my living. Setting that aside, I didn't fail to watch this movie any way. You are expressing your opinion (that Wilder's version was creepy and offputting) as if it was a fact. It's not. I'm happy that you enjoyed the film, but people who didn't like it as much didn't fail to see it the right way. It's just a difference of opinion. I liked the film, but didn't love it.
It's been a long time since I watched a video of yours, Dan. Cool to see you still do the heart tap.
It’s the « Solo » effect where they focus on the feel of the character when they should have aimed for the essence. Wonka isn’t a pink coat and a hat, he’s maniac.
The new Young Willy Wonka seems more like a mixture of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonkas than just being a specific one of them.
For example, Young Wonka’s outfit seems more like Gene Wilder’s Wonka with the hat and the bright uniquely patterned shirt but the general colour scheme of his outfit such as his coat looks more like Johnny Depp’s Wonka.
Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka also has curly hair, an optimistic charming smile and energy similar to Gene Wilder’s Wonka.
Its a kids movie. Keep it within that context. Why the original was so beloved was because most of us were exposed to it as kids, and we didnt over think or dissect it to the degree obsessive old nerds seem to take it. In short, you are harshing the buzz for the kids.
I would never tell kids not to enjoy a movie, especially this one. My job is to review movies from my perspective, not from someone else's. I don't review Minions movies from a five-year-old's perspective - obviously, they would react differently from me. Me only mildly enjoying Wonka will have no effect on whether kids like it nor not, I assure you. Every generation has its own classics, and that's great. We don't have to share the same opinions of them.
We’ll Haven’t watched it yet but…Saying that this Willy Wonka is a very safe because he’s a nice man and the Willy Wonka in the 1971 is not, you forget that Willy Wonka in the original book is a nice weird man. Every time something bad happened to a kid he reacted accordingly. He’s more charming in the book and playful and childish, very creative a little bit sinister but overall a good man
I feel the same way about yourself about a Willy Wonka origin movie. I thought it was a dumb idea when it was announced too, because it gets rid of the audience identification figure of Charlie Bucket. Willy Wonka is a fun character, but his eccentricity makes him a more distant figure for viewers rather than a potentially relatable one. However, the trailers for this do look great and I like that they seem to be going for the underdog angle.
As for your point about Timothy Chamalet not having the power in his voice for a musical, I would say the same about Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder was an excellent choice for Willy Wonka, but I don't think he really had a powerful singing voice either. Although there aren't really that many songs in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory anyway.
Johnny Depp could certainly do a musical. In fact he did - Sweeney Todd
I can t wait to see this movie in IMAX
Good critique especially your take on Chalamet. Who might have been better in the role? Ben Platt?
Your review nailed yet again for me. It’s uncanny how you and I always seem to agree.
I saw on tumblr that someone described this movies as “a movie about a bunny when it needed to be a movie about a hare” and I haven’t gotten that description out of my mind. Also someone who suggested Aubrey Plaza as Wonka - she would have been absolutely perfect.
Wow, what a fantastic analogy!
No.
I watched the movie this week at the cinema. To me it was mixture of Wes Anderson and Disney. Looking at the plot/story and comparing it with " Wish" I have to say that this is the anniversary movie Disney should have done (instead of " Wish").
I never thought this film would be anything but catastrophe.
He says that now but wait until they make a Dan Murrell biopic in 2064 and the tag line will be “Discover how Dan became Murrell”
And somehow the movie will be about Dan breaking down box office charts 😂
Tomato Chalet is no Gene Wilder. I feel he's over-rated as an actor in general. His blank-to-shouty performance in "Dune" only reinforced that.
Sounds like some real Content!
I'm mildly interested to see this one, but I just don't think it's worth spending an afternoon off or a babysitter night to go to the theater for. At almost 2 hours, I think it's too long to try to bring our 4-year old to, as well, so I guess this might be a streaming watch someday.
If you look hard enough, you can find it now, I watched it online a couple days ago. But if it's a WB title, I imagine it'll show up on Max in a few months.