Wonka first reactions: Timothee Chalamet praised for ‘charming, perfect performance’ in early reviews for ‘surprisingly good’ origin story
Timothée Chalamet was praised for his “charming, perfect performance” as Willy Wonka was finally allowed by critics to share their early thoughts on the “surprisingly good” origin story via X/Twitter.
“#Wonka is a super-charming delight, powered by an exceptional and pitch-perfect performance from Timothée Chalamet,” wrote Collider senior producer Perri Nemiroff.
‘It can get quite strange and there are a few plot points that are a bit on the thin side, but that couldn’t prevent such an impossibly sweet film from warming my heart with a large and very effective dose of sincerity.’
Gizmodo senior reporter Germain Lussier wrote that the 27-year-old Oscar nominee was “the only reason to see” Paul King’s $125 million musical fantasy.
‘He’s endlessly charming [and] amazing to watch,” Lussier tweeted.
Timothée Chalamet was praised for his “charming, perfect performance” as Willy Wonka was finally allowed by critics to share their early thoughts on the “surprisingly good” origin story via X/Twitter
‘The film around him is not that good, but it is entertaining. The story and tone fight against each other, making it a bit muddled. And yet it is filled with joy and the songs are delightful.”
Film critic Courtney Howard of Variety/The AV Club called Wonka “a winning confection, filled with perfect amounts of charm, whimsy and poignancy, powered by sheer imagination and bright, nimble musical numbers.”
‘Timothée Chalamet is a charisma factory. His complete dedication is intoxicating,” Howard added.
‘Hugh Grant [as an Oompa-Loompa] in exceptional IDGAF mode.”
IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich simply wrote, “Wonka good. Paul King, king.”
Vanity Fair critic Richard Lawson was also a man of few words, tweeting, “WONKA is actually good.”
Bleeding Cool editor-in-chief Kaitlyn Booth said she was “surprised how much” she liked Wonka.
“It’s whimsical and ties into the sense of wonder we got from the original as it did its own thing,” Booth tweeted.
Vanity Fair critic Richard Lawson was also a man of few words, tweeting: ‘WONKA is actually good’
Willy Wonka’s origin story – based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – hits UK theaters on December 8 and US theaters on December 15.
Wonka also stars Hugh Grant (pictured), Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman and newcomer Calah Lane
‘Timothée Chalamet channels Gene’s energy without impressing. Great family film for the holidays.’
TheWrap film reporter Scott Mendelson wrote, “I didn’t expect #Wonka to be the most realistic film about human trafficking to hit theaters this year. No criticism, but no joke either.’
Mendelson’s colleague at TheWrap, Drew Taylor, called Wonka “a delicious confection, sometimes salty, sometimes sweet, but always visually dazzling and emotionally rich.”
“Paul King proves once again that he is one of our most exciting filmmakers, creating a world that isn’t afraid to go to the dark, strange places that Roald Dahl would,” Taylor tweeted.
Willy Wonka’s origin story – based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – opens in UK theaters on December 8 and US theaters on December 15.
Wonka also stars Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and newcomer Calah Lane.
The eccentric genius, who enjoyed punishing naughty children, was memorably created by Gene Wilder in Mel Stuart’s beloved 1971 classic.