The Catventures of Libby

(warning: contains spoilers) Spectacular production, wonderful casting and a fantastic soundtrack to boot. I was simply blown away by so many amazing original songs and performances, and there's a good balance of comedy and drama that would appeal to the whole family. Having only seen a movie poster of Wonka (2023), I did not have much to go on. I was also a tad skeptical if I would enjoy it as much as I had enjoyed Johnny Depp's and Gene Wilder's performances of Willy Wonka prior to this movie. But it's the holidays, I had a day out with my niece, and this was premiering, so we got the tickets. And I was not to be disappointed. <spoiler> From the playful glint in his eyes to his quirky smiles and cane-twirling sequences, Timothee Chalamet's whimsical performance gives nods to both Depp's and Wilder's earlier depictions of Wonka, while still adding his own spin and spice (and all things nice) to the young Wonka he plays. There is a purity and crispness in Chalamet's delivery of both script and song that encapsulates that sense of wonder a young Willy Wonka manages to hold on to through the formative years of his youth, despite all the setbacks and hardships that befalls him. And this is key because it carries over into his later years, and it is the re-imagining through this lens of childlike innocence that inspires audiences around the world to have hope and dare to dream again. Special mention to Hugh Grant as Oompa Loompa, who delivers his lines in perfect matter-of-fact British fashion. My niece liked his performance so much, she was singing Oompa Loompa all the way home, while I tried to sway her to sing Pure Imagination instead. </spoiler> If there is one movie to catch this Christmas with your loved ones, this should be it! And would I watch it again? Oh, ABSOLUTELY!