A hilariously funny musical fantasy comedy film directed by Paul King telling the origin story of the memorable character Willy Wonka from the 1964 children’s book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl. The film stars Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka and the ensemble cast features many more star names such as Olivia Coleman, Hugh Jackman, Mathew Bayton, Matt Lucas, and Sally Hawkins. As the film features a variety of talented actors known for their versatility in comedy and drama suggests Wonka is a film full of wonder, heart and spectacle. The film features many original musical numbers adding a lively and whimsical flair to the film, furthermore, adding a mix of light-hearted and heartfelt moments that keep up with the magical feeling created by the Wonka film. The tone and style help further integrate the fantastical elements of the world of Willy Wonka and his comedic and heart-warming journey. The inspiration drawn from the world of Roald Dahl paired with the skilled direction of Paul King and furthermore, the fresh take given to the character by Timothée Chalamet.

As Wonka is a musical and the soundtrack is one of the key elements, with a number of the musical numbers being written to complement the whimsical and wonderful nature of the story created. As they are created in order to showcase the magic and imagination Willy Wonka is known for, alongside providing insight into his early adventures before opening his famous chocolate factory. One of the most notable songs within Wonka is ‘A Hatful of Dreams’ although it is sung at the very beginning of the film it gives the audience insight into Wonka’s aspirations, hopes, and dreams making it a standout moment in the film. The song captures his youthful ambition and the wonder he feels as he sets off on his journey to build something truly amazing. The song is written by Neil Hannon and helps beautifully evoke a sense of wonder that is echoed in the themes of the film.  Part of the whimsical nature of the song can be credited to Timothée Chalamet’s performance whilst singing. As Chalamet is known for his musical talent he is able to bring a unique charm and expressiveness to the role of Willy Wonka. This song allows him to show off his vocal range to the audience alongside showcasing the character’s expressive, enthusiastic and eccentric personality. His portrayal of Wonka within the number is both playful and heartfelt, offering a clear window into Wonka’s inner world.

The visual elements of Wonka are integral to the storytelling, adding the perfect whimsical and fantastical elements that come together to create the world created by Roald Dahl for Willy Wonka to inhabit. The visual elements immerse the audience in a world filled with colour, wonder, and charm. King is able to draw inspiration from Dahl’s original book alongside other adaptations, such as the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory directed by Tim Burton. The visual style embodied here places an emphasis on imagination, creativity, and magic. The cleverly constructed use of vibrant colour palette, with use of colours like deep blues, oranges, yellows, and pinks helps successfully evoke a sense of playfulness and wonderment. Overall, the colour help contribute to the world Wonka is creating. The whimsical appearance of the colours helps create a contrast between the reality of Victorian London and the dreamlike aspects of Wonka’s chocolate adventures. As the early part of the film is set in Victorian London, the detailed and beautiful sets help accomplish a vison that successfully transports the audience to the time period. The cobblestone streets and old-fashioned shops create a wonderfully historically rich but fantasy atmosphere. Later in the film as Willy Wonka is able to open his chocolate shop the blurring between historical accuracy and the wonderment of fantasy becomes even more apparent, as the shop is filled with wonderous spectacles like the chocolate river, candy sculptures, and edible florals. These elements all combine to help achieve the overall aesthetic of vintage charm, whimsical fantasy, and eccentric elegance.