(PG) 116mins
FANCY stepping into a world of pure imagination?
Then this origin story of Roald Dahl’s classic confectionery character Willy Wonka is the place — if a little sickly-sweet sometimes.
Timothee Chalamet is charming and chaotic in the title role.
Yet this watered-down version leaves you craving more of the psychotic appeal of Gene Wilder in 1971’s Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.
It is written and directed by Paul King, who made the Paddington films.
And this singing and dancing dip into the chocolatier’s mind has a similar look, feel and cast to his bear movies, but lacks the humour.
A poverty-stricken Wonka dreams of opening a shop, but is imprisoned by a B&B owner from hell (Olivia Colman delivering the film’s best performance).
Willy also discovers the chocolate industry is run by a cartel, and must do battle against the gangs of greed.
The film is certainly a celebration of all things British with stars including Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Matt Lucas and Hugh Grant.
Sweet, but doesn’t give enough of a sugar rush.
