FILM REVIEW: WONKA (PG) ESP RATING: 3.5/5

While this may split the room with its reliance on musical numbers – there’s no doubting Timothee Chalamet shines as the lead star.

The youngster – who came to prominence with such films as Call Me by Your Name, Beautiful Boy and Dune – is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s hottest talents, and gives the junior version of Willy Wonka, an undeniably infectious charm.

Chalamet stars as said aspiring magician, inventor and chocolatier Wonka, who arrives by boat to an unnamed European city locale, to fulfil his dream of opening a chocolate shop at the local shopping precinct.

Not wanting to ‘freeze’ in the cold, he gets coaxed into staying at a laundromat-based hotel owned by Olivia Colman’s devious Mrs Scrubbit – and henchman Bleacher (Tom Davis) – despite warnings from young orphan Noodle (Calah Lane) to read the ‘fine print’. Sadly, the illiterate Wonka, does not, which forces him into excessive charges during his stay – primarily working in the basement pressing clothes.

But this doesn’t deter the chocolatier, and when he sneaks out with the help of Noodle, he ends up impressing potential customers with his ‘hoverchocs’ – which can make people fly while they eat them.

Unfortunately, this garners the ‘jealous’ attention of the local ‘Chocolate Cartel’ –

Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton) – who bribe local Chief of Police (Keegan-Michael Key) to make sure Wonka leaves town, after being threatened by the potential competition.

But if these two problems weren’t already enough, a third is added with some of Wonka’s chocolate creations being stolen by a mysterious ‘orange man’ known as an Oompa Loompa. This time it comes in the form of Hugh Grant’s Lofty – who entertains in a fairly short cameo – which will lead to the movie’s most famous song no doubt ringing in your ears for days.

And while there’s also no denying the production values from acclaimed Paddington director Paul King, there is undoubtedly an over reliance on songs – with mixed results. If musical fantasies aren’t your thing, this may not be for you.

The storyline also isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking – sometimes bordering on ‘panto’ by some of the cast – but amiable turns from Chalamet and Grant, always keeps it comfortably the right side of entertaining.

Which for a family film over the festive period is more than enough – as Wonka sends you down a quality street.

Oompa Loompa doompety doo . . .

ESP Rating: 3.5/5

Gavin & Joshua Miller (Gavin’s nine-year-old son who added his own input into this review)

Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Paterson Joseph, Olivia Colman, Matt Lucas, Keegan-Michael Key, Mathew Baynton, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis & Sally Hawkins

Running Time: 1 Hr 56 Mins

Director: Paul King

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