The new film, Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic character Willy Wonka, has received mixed reviews from critics.
Several critics have praised the film, with The Telegraph describing it as “the most fun you’ll have in a cinema all year” and giving it a five-star review. The film is directed and written by Paul King and co-written by Simon Farnaby, the same team behind the successful Paddington 2.
Chalamet’s performance has been a point of contention, with some critics feeling that he may have been miscast in the role. The Times awarded the film just two stars, describing it as “as hollow as a chocolate egg”.
Some critics have noted that the film lacks the darker elements of previous versions of the Willy Wonka character. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described the film as “sickly sweet and hopelessly twee”, and Variety’s Owen Gleiberman agreed, saying that the film could have benefited from tapping more into the “Roald Dahlness” of the story.
Overall, while some critics have praised the film’s nostalgia and charm, others have criticized its lack of depth and the casting of Chalamet in the lead role. The film is set to be released in the UK on Friday and in the US a week later.