Wonka is a curious entry into the Willy Wonka disconnected universe. We had the books, then the original Gene Wilder film that everyone loves, a freak-on-leash Johnny Depp remake, but never a continuation based on the book’s sequel (Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator). And we don’t get that here… Instead, we get this curious prequel that’s inspired by the Gene Wilder film but not, as far as I can recall, the in-book canonical backstory of Willy Wonka.

The film is about the early days of travelling chocolatier Willy Wonka as he arrives (mostly) penniless at a new port and gets caught up in a chocolate conflict with the local chocolate cartel.

I was expecting something different but what they delivered had interesting potential. I’m not convinced it’s the perfect companion piece to the original Wilder film as I don’t see what it adds to it. But as a stand-along story, it mostly works. The costumes are great and Timothée Chalamet is clearly channeling Gene Wilder in some of his mannerisms and speech. Hugh Grant as the Oompa Loompa is cultured in a way that speaks to the curious history of the character(s).

The overall sense of humor and exaggerated imagery feels very Roald Dahl. There’s an appreciable amount of slightly off-kilter, cheerful mean-spiritedness to a lot of the characters and humor (and lyrics). The flick feels inspired by his writing.

There were, unfortunately, way too many musical numbers in the fist half that didn’t work for me… they weighed the film down and almost ruined it for me. There were a scattering of fun moments or decent lyrics though… enough to carry it through to the improved second half. I doubt my sourpuss opinion will be shared by many.

This film isn’t a huge success but its final act redeems it. I think my bah humbug-ness got in the way of enjoying what others will probably find perfectly enjoyable. But the movie generally holds up enough to earn a good rating.

Score: 80