‘Wonka’ Wins the Golden Ticket Opening Weekend
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Many experienced a world of pure imagination over the weekend when they saw Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” in theaters, a prequel film set in the years prior to Willy Wonka opening his famous chocolate factory. Opening to the no. 1 slot both domestically and worldwide, the film has grossed a total of $151 million thus far.
Directed by Paul King, the director responsible for the extremely popular “Paddington” and “Paddington 2” films, this PG-rated movie follows Willy as he attempts to open a chocolate business with the help of a ragtag group of friends.
Originating from Roald Dahl’s 1964 book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Gene Wilder was the first to portray Willy Wonka on the big screen for the 1971 live-action adaptation of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Next, Johnny Depp donned the top hat for the 2005 film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” This go around, Timothée Chalamet stars as the titular character.
Detroit News wrote, “[Chalamet] is his own Wonka, endearing and pure, in a movie that's as joyful as one of Wonka's heavenly little concoctions,” while the Los Angeles Times writes: “Chalamet’s Wonka is innocent and deeply earnest. He is mischievous, like Depp’s and Wilder’s depictions, but while Depp was quirky and fey, and Wilder was sly and sarcastic, Chalamet’ doesn’t have an ounce of guile.”
The positive reviews don’t end there. As a whole, the film received an “A-“ CinemaScore and currently holds an 84 percent critical and 91 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. NPR called it an “entertaining, upbeat, imaginative film” while Entertainment Weekly said: “In addition to committing to its sense of fun, ‘Wonka’ reminds us that life is made sweetest by the people we share it with. If that’s not particularly novel, it’s still as comforting and scrumptious a notion as a chocolate bar.”
In addition to Chalamet, the whimsical film feature’s a star-studded cast made up of Keegan Michael-Key, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Calah Lane, Paterson Joseph, Rowan Atkinson and Matt Lucas.
“Wonka” is playing in theaters now, and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.