Directed by Paul King

There are a lot of moments in this movie that feel magical. The effects are good, making it impossible not to wonder what the 1971 Gene Wilder version could have been like with this level of CG and effects. Better than this, no doubt.

Wonka shows us a younger Willy, unconvincingly portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, and introduces new characters unfamiliar to the Wonka-verse. We meet Hugh Grant as the OG Oompa-Loompa (at least he hated making this movie as much as we hated watching him in it), and the mishmash crew of heavy handed, stereotyped characterizations from the laundry room.

Besides the special effects, comparing this movie to its predecessor in any regard will leave viewers wanting at every turn. Throughout the story, we see iterations of Wonka’s magical sweets and get introduced to an early version of his candy garden. But, although there were some visually gorgeous sequences, this plot is thematically weak and honestly, a little boring.

Those of us who know the devilishly creative and stubbornly self-centered Willy Wonka of lore have no choice but to be disappointed by the generic attempt at re-creation. At least Johnny Depp got weird with it.

Final thoughts

There’s no use denying that this a pretty movie (or that “Pure Imagination” is one of the best movie songs of all time) but this is a disappointing execution of what had every opportunity to be a phenomenal origin story.

The script feels like it was plucked straight from the halls of the 2000s Disney Channel and the acting isn’t far behind. Why did Keegan Michael-Key agree to this?

My rating: 2/5

This movie is bad.