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Wonka film, disappointing!

211 replies

cheeseisthebest · 08/12/2023 22:31

Just been to see the new Wonka film. Interested in others views if anyone's seen it yet? I know it only came out today!

I was really disappointed with it. Songs were dreadful, Timothy Chalamet can't sing, the little girl was annoying. Hugh Grant was great but not in it enough.
Massive plot holes and stupid storyline.
I expected more cos I loved Mary Poppins returns and both Paddington films and think it's same director?

OP posts:
Zonder · 21/12/2023 15:43

We loved it. Had low expectations and it massively surpassed them. TC is gorgeous as WW - sweet, smart, quirky and I loved his voice. Really enjoyed spotting all the famous actors in it.

I don't remember any of the songs - a pp said it lacked a banger of a song. Maybe - or perhaps it was good that the songs are more kind of background.

TC is huge right now - my DD and her friends are all crushing on him and mostly want to see Wonka just for him!

SaturdayGiraffe · 21/12/2023 17:14

I don’t think there are any under-30 male actors who can open a film like Tim C at the moment.

TheMarzipanDildo · 21/12/2023 18:02

I think the songs are growers. I particularly liked A Hatful of Dreams (opening song) and the villain one with the allegedly homoerotic feather dance. But think my enjoyment was greater because I’d already heard the soundtrack.

Loved TC in it, which I wasn’t expecting to!

nutelia · 22/12/2023 22:47

I liked TC as Wonka, a million miles better than the creepy Johnny Depp one- just awful.

Trainstrike · 23/12/2023 16:50

Update for those with younger children - our 5 year old loved it, primarily because of the songs and Hugh Grant (agree his appearance was too short!)

About 90 minutes in I started getting asked when it would finish, but overall she was absolutely fine sitting for the two hours.

fairydust11 · 24/12/2023 17:15

Just watched it yesterday - we loved it!
A real feel-good fun family film with a lovely ending!

VenusStarr · 24/12/2023 17:32

I went today with my niece and nephew (12 and 7). I didn't know anything about the story really. I thought it was fab and really enjoyed it. The kids did too. It was good fun.

BringItOnxxx · 26/12/2023 18:15

I agree with your analysis. Something unsatisfying about how it all hung together.

Donteventhinkofcallingmecis · 27/12/2023 20:24

Agree - shockingly bad. Hugely disappointing.

ChristmasTreeMagic · 28/12/2023 00:36

Wow! Some people are hard to please! We've just seen it and loved it!
I'm in my 50s & a life long Willie Wonka fan since first seeing it in the 70s as a kid. I loved the idea of a secret chocolate factory but I always found gene wilder's wonka disturbing.

I absolutely adored TC as young wonka! And loved that he had an Irish mother!

I, too, saw echoes of other characters in it - fantastic Mr fox but also the horrible Inn keepers in les miserables & the mother / child house boat from chocolat.

It was so sweet & funny in parts. Gene Wilder as wonka had an American accent so I don't understand that criticism plus the setting was very European but without being identifiable- shades of Prague & Paris for sure

Having seen TC in Call me by your name, ladybug, little women, dune etc he made a fantastic Wonka!

Loubelle70 · 28/12/2023 00:40

I was going to watch it..it looked magical in trailer..
I love johnny depp one and oc gene wilder..but this is Willy in younger years so different..i will give it a go

EliosBackPack · 28/12/2023 18:49

Just back from seeing it and thought it was great. Great, spectacular production and a fun family film.

Abracadabra12345 · 28/12/2023 18:58

ExpensiveDecorations · 11/12/2023 23:25

We loved it, great casting, beautiful visuals, enjoyed the running jokes, Timothee was excellent as the young Wonka, the storyline with his mother was touching. I've never seen the other films but read the book over and over as a child and it was great to see the three rival factory owners brought to life.

I think my view is closest to yours. We've just come back from seeing it and thought it excellent. There were some great actors - I loved spotting the famous faces - and some real laugh-out-loud moments. Friends who had seen it the day before waxed lyrical about it. I think it was much better than Mary Poppins Returns which I disliked, and I think Wonka will stand the test of time.

I'd be very happy to see it again. I didn't find it overlong either. There were lots of young children in the audience and they didn't move or speak throughout!

Hugh Grant's footage after the film was great too

It's funny how you see a bad review and wonder if they've seen the same film

fourelementary · 28/12/2023 19:23

We went for our Xmas Eve cinema trip and I was a bit worried after reading some of the negative reviews here. But I loved it- as did dd14 and ds11. DH did not… he didn’t like the Barbie film either though 🤣
Well worth a watch!

FeltCarrot · 28/12/2023 19:28

Just got back from seeing it with our adult children! Loved it. Thought it was much better than Hamilton which we saw last week!

Theoldwoman · 29/12/2023 15:38

Absolutely loved it!

Have seen it twice! It’s very well done.

attercop · 29/12/2023 16:13

Floogal · 09/12/2023 20:37

Is grandpa Joe still a conniving lazy git in this one?

Grin

That made me laugh. You probably know there are large online groups dedicated to Uncle Joe hate. I had no idea!

Floogal · 29/12/2023 18:21

@attercop of course hahahaha. No way could anyone be bedridden for that many years. Deconditioning syndrome

blackfluffycat · 30/12/2023 13:28

We are seeing it later. I told my dds 11 and 13 I wasn't sure who was in it and they both said the lead characters name twice. Like that helped. He must be all over TikTok?

I've googled and I see I recognise a few names and they are all English. Why is the main actor and the little girl American?

Hated the re-make of Mary Poppins.

Chasingsquirrels · 30/12/2023 14:01

Went last night and both I and DP loved it, would happily watch it again.

Ds's (21 & 17) went before Christmas and both said it was a good film, but that musicals aren't their thing.

toomanyleggings · 30/12/2023 15:13

Just been to see it. I thought it was lovely. Made me smile at lots of points. Thought the music was good too and I don’t like musicals normally

ArchetypalBusyMum · 30/12/2023 18:47

Just got back from seeing it.
Was curious after reading this thread how it would go, seems to be a mixed bag of opinions. But for me it was perfectly charming and amusing, quite nostalgic (in a good way) in the humour, visuals and characters.. and with a quality cast it was really good fun.
I felt as a fabricated prequel it did the original justice really well. A hit for 3 generations here (kids 11&13 with parents and gp's). 👍

HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/12/2023 18:52

Saw Wonka yesterday with 13 yo DD, both absolutely loved it.

LubaLuca · 31/12/2023 16:32

My husband and I saw it this afternoon and we both really liked it. I loved the music and lyrics (I'm a big Neil Hannon fan and enjoyed that it was recognisably his), and thought the casting was really good. I loved TC - I've never seen him in anything before but I now want to see him again! He was charming and beautiful, and he played a magical character really well. Fabulous scenery and visuals. The only part we didn't like was Matt Lucas, who is not funny or likeable enough to earn his place.

Yuja · 31/12/2023 16:40

Just got back from this with 11 and 8 year old DCs - we all loved it. Thought it was really fun

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