Moviegoers are raving about “Wonka,” the big-screen origin story of Roald Dahl’s chocolatier.
The embargo on reviews and reactions was lifted on Tuesday night as the world premiere took place in London, prompting a flood of positive tweets from fans.
Those lucky enough to see a preview of the film, which hits theaters on December 8 in Europe and December 15 in the US, praised lead actor Timothée Chalamet as “quirky” and “charming.”
“I’m not a film critic and so many others do it at such an eloquent level, so I’m just saying this about Wonka.” Wonka. GOOD! Very good. Of course I cried. “Give everyone the golden tickets,” one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Moviegoers are raving about Wonka, the big-screen origin story of Roald Dahl’s chocolatier, as the embargo on reviews and reactions is lifted
“#WonkaMovie was so cute!! I really enjoyed it and would definitely watch it again. Timothée Chalamet was quirky as Willy Wonka and Calah Lane as Noodle was great! Don’t go in expecting Charlie or golden tickets. This film is about Willy and how he became a famous chocolatier!’ added another.
“I loved #Wonka – so did everyone else, right?” It’s so gentle and entertaining, with Colman a great villain and Chalamet proving he can sing too. Plus great songs and visuals. “Take all your children with you.”
Another posted that it was “absolutely authoritative.”
Others felt justified in their initial hopes for the film, despite criticism of trailers and promotional materials.
“People are surprised that Wonka is good… I never doubted Paul King, the director of Paddington! “Not for a second!!’ posted a fan.
“It should be shouted from the rooftops that WONKA was written by the same team that wrote/directed PADDINGTON and PADDINGTON 2: Paul King and Simon Farnaby.” It’s real, not saccharine, and yes, I cried. It features quick, Billy Wilder-style comedic dialogue.”
Other moviegoers allayed any fears that the film wouldn’t live up to the 1971 adaptation of Dahl’s novel starring Gene Wilder.
“Okay, I can finally say it.” The embargo is lifted @RealChalamet is Woknalicious in #Wonka I’m old, so I love the original film, but this is a new story with an amazing energy and happiness and it’s just as delightful. “It made me laugh and smile and I can’t wait to see it again,” posted one excited fan.
Those lucky enough to see a preview of the film, which opens on December 8th in Europe and December 15th in the US, welcomed lead actor Timothée Chalamet
Critics also praised the film: Collider executive producer Perri Nemiroff wrote, “#Wonka is a super charming delight, powered by an extraordinary and pitch-perfect performance from Timothée Chalamet.”
“It can get pretty silly and there are a few plot lines that are a bit flimsy, but that couldn’t stop such an incredibly sweet film from warming my heart with a powerful and very effective dose of sincerity.”
Variety/The AV Club film critic Courtney Howard called Wonka “a winning confection of charm, whimsy and poignancy, driven by pure imagination and bright, upbeat musical numbers.”
“Timothée Chalamet is a charisma factory.” “His total commitment is intoxicating,” said Howard added.
‘Hugh Grant [as an Oompa-Loompa] in extraordinary IDGAF mode.’
IndieWire chief film critic David Ehrlich simply wrote: “Wonka good. Paul King, King.’
Roger Ebert’s co-editor Robert Daniels “surprisingly enjoyed most of WONKA” and called Timothée “a truly gifted comedic actor who cleverly uses his star persona for laughs.”
“The production is good and there is a lot of heart and humor.” However, I didn’t like the flood of fat jokes. Bad form in a delightful film,” Daniels scoffed.
Critics also praised the film: Collider executive producer Perri Nemiroff wrote: “#Wonka is a super charming delight (pictured: Olivia Colman)”
Variety/The AV Club film critic Courtney Howard called Wonka “a winning confection of charm, whimsy and urgency” (pictured: Sally Hawkins)
The film celebrated its world premiere in London on Tuesday evening, with leading actor Timothee Chalamet on the red carpet
The origin story of Willy Wonka – based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – hits UK cinemas on December 8th and US cinemas on December 15th.
Wonka also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and newcomer Calah Lane.
Chalamet earned $9 million for portraying the title character after beating out Tom Holland, Donald Glover, Ezra Miller and Ryan Gosling for the role.
The eccentric genius who delighted in punishing naughty children was memorably created by Gene Wilder in Mel Stuart’s beloved 1971 classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.