Wonka – Budget of $125 million – 1 hour and 56 minutes
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Willy Wonka dreamed of being a magician while his mother worked by the river. She would bring him a cocoa bean every night and make him a personalized chocolate bar on his birthday. He thinks it’s the best chocolate in the world, but his mother says the best chocolate is at the Galeries Gourmet. Willy wishes they could open a shop there and sell his mother’s chocolates. His mother encourages him to hold on to that dream.
Willy sails into town with his travel chocolate factory, tattered clothes, 12 silver sovereigns, and dream of owning a chocolate store in Galeries Gourmet. It doesn’t take long for Willy to spend and lose all his money. He sets up camp on a park bench and prepares hot cocoa for the night. Then, Bleacher approaches to pull his dog away from Willy. He warns Willy that it’s too cold to be sleeping outside. He knows a place Willy can stay that’s affordable. Mrs. Scrubitt owns a laundry and boarding house. She will let Willy stay one night if he pays one silver sovereign by 6 pm tomorrow. Mrs. Scrubitt pulls out a contract for Willy to sign. However, a girl pops out of the backroom and warns Willy to read the fine print. Willy writes his name on the dotted line.
Willy travels to the Galeries Gourmet and introduces his hover chocolates to the crowd for one silver sovereign. Before anyone can try a piece, chocolatiers Authur Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelguber slink to Willy and grab a candy. They taste it and get hints of other wonderful flavors. But they hate it because they believe chocolate should be simple and for the rich. Slugworth calls the Chief of Police to remove Willy for selling chocolate without a store. Then, Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelguber float because they ate chocolates. Everyone wants a piece of his candy and pays for it. The Chief of Police takes Willy’s earnings and escorts him out of the market.
Willy returns to Mrs. Scrubitt to pay his tab because he has one silver sovereign left. However, she tells him that he owes a lot more. She charged him for using the soap, stairs, and fireplace. His current bill is 10,000 silver sovereign. Willy admits he can’t pay it. So, he will have to work it off, making one silver sovereign a day. It will take over 27 years to clear his debt. Bleacher takes Willy to the launderette. Willy meets Mrs. Scrubitt’s indentured servants – accountant Abacus, plumber Piper, comedian Larry, telephone operator Lottie, and the little girl Noodle. Noddle asks Willy why he didn’t heed her warning. Then, she realizes Willy can’t read.
After a day of scrubbing, Noddles takes Willy to his sleeping quarters. Willy wants to leave to sell his chocolates but can’t figure out how. She gives him an idea, but he must return before Mrs. Scrubitt does her nightly roll call. Willy agrees and offers to pay Noodle in chocolate. She volunteers to teach Willy how to read. Willy believes he will have the money to pay Mrs. Scrubitt and buy a shop soon. However, Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelguber, also known as the Chocolate Cartel, conspire against Willy. They have the Chief of Police in their pocket and will end Willy’s reign before it starts. Willy will need more than his dream and friends to survive. He will need an Oompa-Loompa.
Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this musical prequel is a delight for the eyes and ears (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The vibrant colors are for the most massive screen possible, and the music will spark your imagination. The plot provides long-time fans with Willy’s background and pays homage to the original story. Willy morphed his dream of becoming a magician and mixed it with his mother’s. Willy does everything with the hope of seeing her again. He keeps her last chocolate bar with her secret in his pocket. When Willy reveals it, you will smile. This musical is hilarious with a humous seduction, a thieving Oompa-Loompa, and a growing Chief of Police. Along the way, Willy makes fruitful and loving connections. These bonds will bring a tear to your eye. And don’t leave immediately, because Lofty will update the audience on everyone’s whereabouts. This film is worth its weight in chocolate.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
The greedy beat the needy, Willy. That’s the way of the world – Noodle
You want to make her sigh, show a little thigh – Willy
I’ve come to make a confession – Chief of Police
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