'Wonka' VUE Cinema Northampton

A rare visit to the cinema on a cold January evening. I'm hoping that as the film has been out a while It will be quiet. Quiet means less noise, eating and generally not being irritated by those in close proximity. I've also had the odd panic attack in the past, so keeping all things crossed for tonight. 

It is the third film base on the Roald Dahl novel of 1964. The original film ' 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' was released in 1971.It saw 'Gene Wilder' taking the role of 'Willy Wonka'. The story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who upon finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, wins the chance to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory along with four other children from around the world. All sorts of chaos and disasters follow, as one by one character flaws are exposed. A tale of morality and good triumphing over bad. It's a great film, one I've watched many many times. 

The 'Tim Burton' version of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' was released in 2005. 'Johnny Depp' starred as 'Willy Wonka'. A much darker version which saw 'Depp' playing a more reclusive 'Wonka'. Comparisons were made to a 'Michael Jackson' type existence of and Adult living a child's existence. Something that was denied by both 'Burton' and 'Depp'. Strangely enough I haven't actually seen this version. Most of the filming was done at Pinewood Studios in the UK.

Back to matters in hand,the adverts have started on the screen. People are arriving armed with huge buckets of Popcorn. Why they need one each I really don't know? Most seem to have brought a feast with them , a few Christmas leftovers no doubt. As long as they are not rustling, chomping  and chattering when the film starts it will be OK. Talking of the film, it is actually a prequel. It takes us back to a time when the young 'Wonka' was an up and coming 'Chocolatier' and Magician. The role being played by 'Timothee Chalamet'. It is an all star cast which includes; Olivia Coleman, Hugh Grant, Matt Lucas, Rowan Atkinson and Jim Carter.       

It is the sort of film you where you just sit back and let your imagination take over. There is a bit of a 'Dickensian' feel as a naive 'Wonka' is taken in by the deceiving  'Mrs Scrubbit' and her dimwitted assistant 'Bleacher.' His inability to read and write sees him fall foul to the small print of the contract. He is thereafter condemned to working in the cellar laundry to pay off his debt. It's a tale of adversity as his dream to open up his own chocolate shop is thwarted at every turn. 'The greedy beat the needy every time' he is warned. I won't spoil the full story for anybody who might like to see the film. I thoroughly enjoyed it though, an hour and a half or so of pure escapism. 'Seeing 'Hugh Grant' as an 'Oompa- Loompa' is quite something. I did feel that the 'Priest' played by 'Rowan Atkinson' was somewhat underused though. Definitely a film I would recommend though.