Rating: 4/5

The new “Wonka” film, starring Timothée Chalamet as the whimsical Willy Wonka, has proved to be a box office success. After racking up $151 million during its first weekend, “Wonka” has since surpassed $500 million in international ticket sales. But the movie’s instant fame is no accident. In addition to its star-studded cast, the riveting script by Paul King and Simon Farnaby delivers a heartfelt yet surprisingly comical experience for the audience. The movie, set as a prequel to Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” unveils Wonka’s troubled past and how his passion for chocolate-making was ignited. With the help of his ragtag team, Wonka eradicates the corrupt chocolate monopoly led by the “Chocolate Cartel,” formed by three rival chocolate companies, opening up the chocolate business to smaller chocolatiers.

With Chalamet’s charismatic take on the iconic Willy Wonka and the catchy musical interludes, the film isn’t meant to make the audience reminisce about beloved Wonkas of the past. Instead, it has developed its own unique personality, untethered from previous Willy Wonka films. This is done by the directors and screenwriters not producing a film with the same sing-songy atmosphere as before but tackling more heavy problems and having more of a dimmed ambiance.

Personally, my favorite part of the film is Keegan-Michael Key’s hilarious portrayal as the nefarious chief of police. The battle between his deep craving for chocolate and his moral duties as the chief is laughable. Not to mention, the slow progression of his body as he indulges more and more in his chocolate obsession, culminating in the hilarious car scene when he just could not squish himself out of the car.

Yet, just as there is bitterness in dark chocolate before the sweetness comes, after the announcement of the “Wonka” film, people did not hesitate to share their pessimistic opinions. As per the tradition of remakes or prequels/sequels, many were unenthused by the thought of another film added to the Willy Wonka franchise, anticipating just another chocolate-filled repeat. Others were more concerned with the casting of Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka. The reason is that Chalamet’s demeanor in his previous films was more solemn rather than less witty and flamboyant, which is a staple for the Wonka character. After the movie’s release, “Wonka” defied all odds, from the audience’s expectations to the box office predictions.

As the film industry is constantly pumping out money-grabbing remakes, which all predominantly turn up short and half as good as the original, it is refreshing to see a movie like “Wonka” break the mold. Ultimately, “Wonka” is a glowing masterpiece and will truly bring you to a world of pure imagination.