I’m Sorry, Lil Timmy T . . .

Sophia Kang

Oompa Loompa Doo Ba Dee Doo, I’ve got a little review here for you. (Sung in tune)

If you’ve read my article from the October Issue, you know I have a lot to say about America’s favorite peach enthusiast and Troye-Sivan-impersonator, Timothée Chalamet, and his latest movie “Wonka.” Hopefully, as my loyal readers (which you all better be), you’ve been awaiting my review of the film I so heavily criticized. Well, like a sinner in church or Fleabag on a bad day, I’m here to make a confession: I loved “Wonka.”   

Picture this; you walk into the theater and order your usual: medium popcorn with a Coke or blue raspberry and cherry ICEE (Anything else would be tasteless). Then you sit in your seat, giddy with the prospect of watching another bad movie. As you wait, you’re entertained by a trivia question about Aaron Taylor-Johnson and other stuff that you didn’t pay attention to after seeing a picture of Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The theater lights dim, and as you settle further into the squeaky unsanitary leather, the opening credits play. Suddenly, Chalamet appears, hanging from the mast of a ship. He begins to sing. 

Initially, you cringe. 10 seconds in, and it’s already bad. But, he continues. The song is…catchy? Then you have a war flashback from watching the trailer—“From the producers of “Paddington.” A question hangs in the air: Could “Wonka” actually be good because of its mere association with “Paddington” and “Paddington 2”? And as the film (that’s right, I said film) continues, you’re mesmerized by the bright colors and costumes, laughing at the childish jokes, smiling through the musical numbers and genuinely thrilled by the plot. Suddenly, the answer is clear. Yes, “Wonka” is good simply because of its mere association with “Paddington” and “Paddington 2.” 

“Wonka” successfully follows the classic “Paddington” formula: nostalgic whimsy, a ridiculous yet entertaining plot, heartwarming characters and a stacked cast of British comedians and actors. 

Additionally, the soundtrack was fun and memorable. The song “You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This” has recently gone viral on social media for its catchy chorus and danceable quality. Many people have labeled this as the best musical number from the soundtrack. Unfortunately, they are wrong because that spot belongs to “Sweet Tooth.” Not only are the tunes and lyrics twice as good but the number features Matthew Baynton from Horrible Histories, which immediately puts it in the top ranks. 

In conclusion, this movie is more than just producers allowing Timothée Chalamet to dress up in a top hat and dance around. I think that viewers, such as myself, were quick to critique the trailer because we’ve forgotten to acknowledge that “Wonka” is a children’s movie. Although Chalamet might have made some interesting delivery choices throughout the movie, there is no doubt that Kylie Jenner’s petite boyfriend served. So, grab a bucket of popcorn, quiet up and listen down, and go watch “Wonka.”