Wonka-Wonky Fun

We need to talk about musicals. I love musical plays! This girl has gone to Hamilton twice.  A few musicals I've seen either on a TV( as a child) or in a movie theater, are: the original Wiz, West Side Story (original and remake), The Wizard of Oz (I think there was some type of remake to this but I can't really remember it ), Mary Poppins (both the original and remake) and of course the original Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory ( I think the remake was OK, but not memorable). I absolutely love and adore several of these movies. They bring back cherished memories from my childhood, especially Mary Poppins and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory.

Other than these feature films, I have seen a few more musical films, but not a whole lot. I have never seen LALA LAND. I can hear all your collective gasps! I just had no desire to see it, even with all the hoopla that surrounded it. 

To understand why I feel this way, I have to tell you why. Sometime around 2014 (in the beginning of my advance screening journey), a musical came out by the name of Into The Woods. At this point of my movie screening journey, I wanted to see as many free movies as I could manage in a week. So, I stepped into the Regal Theater in Winter Park FL to see this movie. Oh my goodness, “it was a no from me dawg." I did not like it at all. How many of you saw it and agree with me? After that experience, I was very picky about what musicals I went to see.

 On the other hand, Wonka is absolutely amazing! Seeing it in IMAX enhanced it even more. It is a work of “pure imagination." Wonka stars Timothée Chalamet who plays Willy Wonka, along with newcomer Calah Lane as Noodle and an incredible ensemble cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, and Hugh Grant. This adventurous musical fantasy, which is full of comedy, is based on characters from the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Evidently, the audience was really looking forward to this film because guess what happened when the opening titles began? They clapped! I've been to many screenings and movies; never have I experienced an audience clapping before the movie even started. That really shows how much they were looking forward to it.

Let's get into it. 

As the opening titles are appearing on screen, we hear a surprise song that was perfectly placed. I was intrigued. As the opening scene unfolds it just jumps out at you with such vibrant color, sights, and sounds; it was so alive!  I was loving what I was seeing so far!

 Another way this feature film was made enjoyable was by the music. If it affects you in the same way it did me, you will be dancing in your seat the whole time you're in the theater. It is so much fun!

Without a doubt this film is hilarious! It takes a lot to make me laugh, but this film had me rolling throughout the entire thing. This must have been a general consensus, because everyone was laughing right along with me.

As for the plot of the movie, there is greed (not only with money), cruelty, obsession, jealousy, deception, hopes dashed, sacrifice, compromise but also love, caring for others, teamwork, and friendship. 

 I really don't like to reveal ANYTHING about the movies written about in this blog but this line from the movie struck me: “The greedy beat the needy “. You will have to see the movie to know what that is all about! :)  I would be negligent if I didn't mention how much the cast was remarkable and did a great job playing their characters. 

 Lastly, as to the question of whether you should take your children to see this movie, I would say this: Yes! Yes! Yes! A resounding yes! This is a funny, fun, heartwarming film that has quite a few life lessons in it. It shows the importance of imagination and dreaming. This is most definitely a family film. It is rated PG for some violence, mild language, and thematic elements.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

I give it 5/5 “Charms”

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Just A Mom Who Loves Movies