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Post by curiouskc on Dec 9, 2023 18:03:18 GMT
I saw it this afternoon and found it utterly charming. The musical sequences (which we barely saw anything of in the trailers) were particularly joyful and Chalamet is not a half bad singer and dancer. His Willy characterization is somewhere between Paddington Bear, Amelie and Mary Poppins. The rest of the cast are suitably Roald Dahl-ish with a splash of Wes Anderson. Somehow all the ingredients came together and were delicious for me.
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Wonka
Dec 9, 2023 18:19:41 GMT
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Post by danb on Dec 9, 2023 18:19:41 GMT
Saw this last night & thought it was lovely. Doesn't quite the scale the heights of Paddington 2 but its still a very endearing couple of hours with lots of good set pieces & cameos from our stalwarts. Chalamet was great & I think it will go some way to opening up parts for him in an even more off-beat or even more mainstream direction. Songs were surprisingly good too, and you could hear every lyric!! It's been noted by some how it captures the feel of family musicals from the 60's and I would definitely concur. A treat. Four chocolatey stars from me. I’m not sure anything, ever, will scale the heights of ‘Paddington 2’. I’m not sure that a more perfect film has ever been made. ❤️ |
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 12:01:45 GMT
Post by marob on Dec 10, 2023 12:01:45 GMT
Slightly off topic sorry, but as someone who very rarely goes to the cinema I was wondering which is the ‘better’ option to watch this in? Dolby in Leicester Square or IMAX at the BFI? Have no idea what the difference is.
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 13:21:49 GMT
Post by solotheatregoer on Dec 10, 2023 13:21:49 GMT
Thought this was a lovely film. If I was being picky, I'd say they underused Hugh Grant (who completely steals the movie) and the original songs weren't as impactful or memorable as I'd hoped they would be. But a great afternoon out and easy watching.
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 16:49:03 GMT
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Post by Marwood on Dec 10, 2023 16:49:03 GMT
Slightly off topic sorry, but as someone who very rarely goes to the cinema I was wondering which is the ‘better’ option to watch this in? Dolby in Leicester Square or IMAX at the BFI? Have no idea what the difference is. Whereabouts in Leicester Square are you thinking of seeing it? Dolby just means the sound is in stereo, the IMAX is a super sized screen but I wouldn’t bother going there if all that is available are seats towards the front. |
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 17:54:22 GMT
Post by anthony40 on Dec 10, 2023 17:54:22 GMT
Well, that was fun! If that’s not a family friendly movie, that I don’t know what it is!
I caught this today.
Firstly, the myriad of colours, the costumes, singing and dancing.
Although not particularly a fan, I found Timothee Chalamet to be quite good.
I loved Olvia Coleman and her little romance with Tom Davis; both comical characters and quite charming and humerous to see him flirting in a pair of lederhosen because he is such a tall and broad-shouldered man.
Did anyone else notice Phil Wang’s cameo?
I bet when he started his career, never in a million years did Hugh Grant ever imagine being cast as an Oompa Loompa! But he steals ever scene that he’s in.
Paterson Joseph is deliciously evil as Slugsworth.
The other things I found amusing was Keegan-Michael Key as the Chief of Police who just keeps getting fatter and fatter as the movie progresses and Rowan Atkinson as the priest being chased through the cathedral by the giraffe. Also he little romance between the zookeeper and the guard in the vaults.
They certainly have drawn upon the previous films as inspiration- the look of the Oompa Loompas, the music, the piccolo that’s played and as this is a prequel, the inspiration for the chocolate room, eating the plants and the flowers, the chocolate river.
4 stars from me
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 17:55:08 GMT
Post by anthony40 on Dec 10, 2023 17:55:08 GMT
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Wonka
Dec 10, 2023 22:32:19 GMT
Post by marob on Dec 10, 2023 22:32:19 GMT
Slightly off topic sorry, but as someone who very rarely goes to the cinema I was wondering which is the ‘better’ option to watch this in? Dolby in Leicester Square or IMAX at the BFI? Have no idea what the difference is. Whereabouts in Leicester Square are you thinking of seeing it? Dolby just means the sound is in stereo, the IMAX is a super sized screen but I wouldn’t bother going there if all that is available are seats towards the front. Some of the showings at the Odeon Luxe are flagged as being in Dolby Cinema. Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision images. I think they’re trying to sell it as the current “make you feel it’s real” fad. Not sure whether that’s worth it or to go to the IMAX. |
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Wonka
Dec 11, 2023 0:06:13 GMT
Post by theatregoer22 on Dec 11, 2023 0:06:13 GMT
Saw this on Friday and while I thought it was perfectly watchable, I wasn't totally enamoured. I loved hearing Pure Imagination and the original Oompa Loompa tune again. However I'm not sure entirely why, but the story didn't quite have me hooked like the 1971 film did. I also thought Timothy Chalamet didn't quite have the screen presence for such a big role and was at times overshadowed by the actress who played Noodle (who I thought was brilliant).
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Post by dan on Dec 11, 2023 15:37:20 GMT
I was absolutely enraptured by this. I think it’s absolutely got Paddington 2 vibes and they clearly know their formula! I was expecting to like the songs anyway because I love the DC, so I can’t be massively objective, but I LOVED them and thought the whimsy was an incredible fit. I just adored this. I wasn’t feeling great, having a difficult morning, and then Wonka brightened up my day so much. It looks beautiful, I think the songs are beautiful and whimsical, the cast are engaging and fantastical, and I thought Wonka himself was a delight. I can’t wait to see it again.
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Wonka
Dec 11, 2023 15:38:56 GMT
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Post by stuartmcd on Dec 11, 2023 15:38:56 GMT
Had a lovely time seeing this yesterday. If you enjoyed the Paddington movies then I think you would also really enjoy this. It has that same feel good fantastical nature to it.
The songs are fine but nothing incredible. But they’re very well directed by Paul King. He should absolutely direct more movie musicals in the future.
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Wonka
Dec 11, 2023 16:35:20 GMT
Post by Jon on Dec 11, 2023 16:35:20 GMT
Whereabouts in Leicester Square are you thinking of seeing it? Dolby just means the sound is in stereo, the IMAX is a super sized screen but I wouldn’t bother going there if all that is available are seats towards the front. Some of the showings at the Odeon Luxe are flagged as being in Dolby Cinema. Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision images. I think they’re trying to sell it as the current “make you feel it’s real” fad. Not sure whether that’s worth it or to go to the IMAX. I'd say go for Dolby Cinema mostly because Wonka wasn't filmed for IMAX. |
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Wonka
Dec 14, 2023 15:37:18 GMT
Post by amyja89 on Dec 14, 2023 15:37:18 GMT
The absolute definition of perfectly fine. A hell of a lot of plot, would have benefitted from being a bit more streamlined, but very sweet and Chalamet is charming as hell. Enjoyed the snippets of Pure Imagination and Oompa Loompa, but the new songs were incredibly forgettable. I couldn't sing you one right know for £1000.
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Post by dan on Dec 14, 2023 17:27:55 GMT
This thing about memorable songs always makes me think… I really doubt if anybody heard Pure Imagination once that they’d be able to sing it. Personally I am actually singing at least three of the new songs on a loop! Each to their own but I absolutely love the new songs and how beautifully they fit this world and characters. I rewatched the original chocolate factory movie this morning… and I almost wish I’d kept it as a magical memory rather than rewatching it. I can’t wait to watch Wonka again though. It’s created a new warm spot in my heart and mind  |
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Wonka
Dec 17, 2023 17:55:32 GMT
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Post by jek on Dec 17, 2023 17:55:32 GMT
I enjoyed this - especially it's inventiveness - the props makers must have had fun. It's daft really but I was surprised at how many of the cast were American. I know that Gene Wilder was American but I think of the Wonka story as very British. I enjoyed playing location spotting (Eltham Palace in particular as Slugworth's office) and the use of constructed sets and CGI to create a world that you couldn't quite place. I think it will earn a place in the family movie canon - something that will be watched in years to come, much as my generation return to The Railway Children and The Amazing Mr Blunden, as well as the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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Wonka
Dec 17, 2023 19:19:25 GMT
Post by anthony40 on Dec 17, 2023 19:19:25 GMT
The two highlights for me were the police chief getting fatter and fatter from eating all the chocolate, to the point where he could barely exit his car and blaming the fact that the vehicle had shrunk.
Also the giraffe chasing Rowan Atkinson as the priest through the cathedral.
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Post by Jon on Dec 18, 2023 23:32:55 GMT
Just came back from Wonka and it's such a treat no pun intended. Paul King has managed to create a film that is inspired by both the book and the 1971 but also Roald Dahl in general. The characters such as Bleacher and Scrubitt and the Chocolate Cartel as well as Noodle could easily been have original Dahl characters. The cast was great and if you like British comedy, there is a lot of actors and comedians who have been in various comedies from the past and present in big and small roles. Timothee Chalamet is good as Wonka, he's earnest with a touch of craziness but Calah Lane as Noodle was my favourite along with the trio of Mat Baynton, Paterson Joseph and Matt Lucas and Keegan Michael Key. The European inspired setting was interesting, a throwback to the 1971 film which was shot in Germany, I liked that it's a mix of various places, the trams looked Eastern European and the Gallery Gourmet looked a bit like Milan. I do have one spoilery thought: I was surprised that chocolate bar Wonka kept wasn't mouldy after being untouched for so many years. |
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Wonka
Dec 20, 2023 4:48:54 GMT
Post by mkb on Dec 20, 2023 4:48:54 GMT
Whereabouts in Leicester Square are you thinking of seeing it? Dolby just means the sound is in stereo, the IMAX is a super sized screen but I wouldn’t bother going there if all that is available are seats towards the front. Some of the showings at the Odeon Luxe are flagged as being in Dolby Cinema. Dolby Atmos sound and Dolby Vision images. I think they’re trying to sell it as the current “make you feel it’s real” fad. Not sure whether that’s worth it or to go to the IMAX. Odeon Luxe is a brand rather than a location. The two Odeon Luxe screens in Leicester Square with "Dolby Cinema" are the Odeon West End screen 1 and the Odeon Leicester Square screen 1. The former has the better sound quality and vision stats, but has only a 1.85 ratio screen, so Wonka (at 2.39) will be shown letter-boxed. The latter has 2.39, so I suspect will be a bigger image, and obviously you get the old-fashioned movie palace aesthetic there too, so swings and roundabouts. Personally I'd go for either of those over the BFI Imax simply because of the recliner seats at both Odeons and because only 1.43/2.39, i.e. 60%, of the BFI screen will be used. |
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Post by mkb on Dec 20, 2023 4:50:25 GMT
I was absolutely enraptured by this. I think it’s absolutely got Paddington 2 vibes and they clearly know their formula! I was expecting to like the songs anyway because I love the DC, so I can’t be massively objective, but I LOVED them and thought the whimsy was an incredible fit. I just adored this. I wasn’t feeling great, having a difficult morning, and then Wonka brightened up my day so much. It looks beautiful, I think the songs are beautiful and whimsical, the cast are engaging and fantastical, and I thought Wonka himself was a delight. I can’t wait to see it again. Can't really add anything to that. Saw this tonight, never even realising in advance that it was a musical. Adored it. Laughed a lot. Five easy stars. |
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Post by vdcni on Dec 21, 2023 21:56:24 GMT
Saw this today, pretty poor. The new songs are dull and none of the cast can do much with such a limp script. It takes some doing to make even Olivia Coleman unmemorable.
It livens up for the last 30 minutes or so but before that it drags terribly. Hugh Grant and the songs from the original are the best bits.
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Post by dan on Dec 21, 2023 22:05:14 GMT
Went for a second time today as I love it a ludicrous amount. The joy this film brings me is beautiful.
I can’t stop listening to the soundtrack either. Love 🥰
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Post by Mark on Dec 23, 2023 9:46:38 GMT
It’s a fun film for sure, although I do find Chalamet lacks a certain charismatic essence needed for a part like this. Music was fun though.
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Wonka
Jan 2, 2024 14:17:01 GMT
Post by ladidah on Jan 2, 2024 14:17:01 GMT
I saw this at the weekend, thought it was wonderful
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Post by Stephen on Jan 2, 2024 20:24:38 GMT
Thought this was fantastic yesterday.
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Post by ptwest on Jan 3, 2024 20:18:12 GMT
Just back from this, really enjoyed it overall, Hugh Grant steals every scene he’s in.
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