On Dec. 15, 2023, Wonka, the prequel to the iconic film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, premiered in theaters and highlighted chocolatier Willy Wonka’s rags to riches story in crafting his empire.
Based on the Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a childhood classic revolving around an impoverished child, Charlie Bucket, receiving one of the five coveted golden tickets from Wonka chocolate bars. Bucket and the other four winners—Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee—acquire a lifetime supply of chocolate and a tour of the Wonka chocolate factory. The chocolate factory tour tested the children’s discipline as only one child eventually obtained the chocolate factory as an additional prize. The 1971 timeless classic starred Gene Wilder. In contrast, in the 2005 version, directed by Tim Burton and with Johnny Depp portraying the title role, there was a darker interpretation of the storyline.
The movie musical displayed singing and choreography and included songs such as “A Hatful of Dreams” and “You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This.” Directed by Paul King, noted for Paddington, it featured a star-studded cast of Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Keegan-Michael Key, rising star Calah Lane and more.
In Wonka, viewers gain insight beyond their initial perceptions of Wonka, understanding more about his background and relationship with his late mother. Wonka’s mother instilled a love for chocolate in him, and after her death, he strived to debut his chocolate business. “I think the new movie definitely changed the way I think about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because Wonka is completely redefined as a character and is not portrayed as reclusive and eccentric, as much as he was in the original,” Bethesda Chevy Chase sophomore Dylan Zimmerman said.
Wonka struggled to share his chocolate with the world after inadvertently striking an unfortunate deal with con artist Mrs. Scrubbit. As he could not afford the astronomical price of a one-night stay, the repercussions included lifelong labor in the basement laundry beside an orphan named Noodle and incautious peers. “With a new actor [Chalamet] playing Wonka, I think we were able to clearly see a new perspective on Wonka himself,” Zimmerman said.
Alongside Noodle, Wonka strives for the success of his chocolate regardless of the rival chocolate company’s pursuit to prevent it. Wonka encounters his long-time nemesis, the idiosyncratic Oompa Loompa, Lofty, who steals his chocolate. It later is disclosed that Lofty was merely reclaiming what was already his, as the cacao beans used in the chocolate were from Loompaland and taken on his watch. This storyline sheds light on the backstory of the exploitation of Oompa Loompas.
“I think the best part of Wonka was when the Oompa Loompa saved Wonka and Noodle from the chocolate. After struggling with a good relationship for the majority of the movie, this was a turning point for them and the beginning of their creation of the factory together,” Zimmerman said.
According to Variety, although Wonka has grossed more than $600 million globally, it struggled at the Oscars this year, receiving no nominations. “The movie was being compared to the original Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Zimmerman said.
The almost two-hour long Warner Bros film also included references to the original. For instance, at the end of the new version, Wonka unwraps the sentimental chocolate bar from his late mother to find a golden message from her.
Article Written by Hayley Gottesman of Thomas S Wootton High School
Photo Courtesy of NPR