If this was a separate, original movie about a young chocolatier, I believe I would have enjoyed this. However, as an origin story for Willy Wonka's character, it just does not hold up.
Firstly, in my opinion, the music was mediocre at best. None of the songs were emotional, uplifting, memorable...they all felt very empty to me. On top of that, which didn't help, the vocals were average at best. I've said this before in other reviews, but I'm tired of people who aren't strong singers being cast in musicals. Especially, when there are so many people who have theater backgrounds that could play these roles 10x as well! But of course they want someone with the fame rather than someone with talent.
As for the talent, Timothee's Willy Wonka does not capture the mad scientist essence of Gene Wilder's. Timothee portrayed a kooky/eccentric Wonka who was, however, still very adored by all those around him. Whereas Gene Wilder's Wonka was often not wholeheartedly trusted nor liked by people, nearly everyone was unsure about him. And the more time they spent with him the less likable he became.
Beyond that, there were a lot of continuity issues.
For one, the chocolate capabilities in this movie were far beyond where OG Wonka is. And because of that, it felt as if Wonka had magic as opposed to being an inventor of sweet treats. The OG story, while Wonka had his factory, the chocolate sold in stores was still normal chocolate. And as for his lab, his experiments are on flavor... making gum that changes to different dinners and so. While this version was making people fly, feel "as tall as a giraffe" or having them be able to think more complexly than they naturally could. How does that possibly make sense? And pulling stuff out of his hat... again... they made him a magician instead of a flavor scientist if you will. By doing this, it took away the part of him that makes him a genius!
Personally, I really wanted this movie to delve into Willy Wonka's character and show us how he becomes a cynic, a recluse, a villain. What happened that made him become so unhinged? This origin was far too lighthearted and wholesome for how Wonka inevitably ends up.
Firstly, in my opinion, the music was mediocre at best. None of the songs were emotional, uplifting, memorable...they all felt very empty to me. On top of that, which didn't help, the vocals were average at best. I've said this before in other reviews, but I'm tired of people who aren't strong singers being cast in musicals. Especially, when there are so many people who have theater backgrounds that could play these roles 10x as well! But of course they want someone with the fame rather than someone with talent.
As for the talent, Timothee's Willy Wonka does not capture the mad scientist essence of Gene Wilder's. Timothee portrayed a kooky/eccentric Wonka who was, however, still very adored by all those around him. Whereas Gene Wilder's Wonka was often not wholeheartedly trusted nor liked by people, nearly everyone was unsure about him. And the more time they spent with him the less likable he became.
Beyond that, there were a lot of continuity issues.
For one, the chocolate capabilities in this movie were far beyond where OG Wonka is. And because of that, it felt as if Wonka had magic as opposed to being an inventor of sweet treats. The OG story, while Wonka had his factory, the chocolate sold in stores was still normal chocolate. And as for his lab, his experiments are on flavor... making gum that changes to different dinners and so. While this version was making people fly, feel "as tall as a giraffe" or having them be able to think more complexly than they naturally could. How does that possibly make sense? And pulling stuff out of his hat... again... they made him a magician instead of a flavor scientist if you will. By doing this, it took away the part of him that makes him a genius!
Personally, I really wanted this movie to delve into Willy Wonka's character and show us how he becomes a cynic, a recluse, a villain. What happened that made him become so unhinged? This origin was far too lighthearted and wholesome for how Wonka inevitably ends up.
