On January 29, Player will feature a cinema hit for children and adults – “Wonka”. This is a story that is an introduction to the story of an eccentric confectioner known from the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Two adaptations of this novel, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, can also be watched on Player.
“Wonka” had a cinema premiere in mid-December 2023. “An all-star cast, stunning visuals, memorable music and a sometimes absurd sense of humor make ‘Wonka’ one to eat in handfuls, immersing oneself in the best quality family cinema,” wrote Tomasz Marcin Wrona in his review .
READ ALSO: “Wonka”. Review of the new movie with Timothee Chalamet
“Wonka” plot
“Wonka” tells the story of Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) – a young and poor boy who dreams of creating the best chocolate in the world. After several years of traveling and searching for the best ingredients for his recipe, he comes to London. He wants to achieve success and surprise the world. But a group of greedy chocolate makers stand in his way. Wonka decides to face them because he believes that sweets are the most important thing, but he is faced with reality. Oompa-Lumpa, a small orange man with green hair (Hugh Grant), also wants to get him. The film’s director, Paul King, approached the creation of the story of young Willy Wonka with great respect, whose later career as a chocolate factory owner was described in the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. King said in interviews that he worked closely with the late writer’s foundation, which decides about the rights to his works. In her archive he found many of Dahl’s unpublished notes and ideas that inspired him.
“Wonka” is a Warner Bros. production. Discovery, the owner of TVN24.
Two film adaptations of the novel
Dahl’s novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, published in 1964 in Great Britain, was filmed twice. In 1971, a film was made “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, and in 2005 – “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (are available in the Player rental shop). Both versions have their fans who still argue about which one is better.
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” directed by Mel Stuart is a musical classic that is worth seeing before watching more Willy Wonka films. Also because Roald Dahl himself was responsible for the script. Little Charlie (Peter Ostrum) works hard to earn money to feed his mother and his sick grandparents. He has one dream – he wants to enter the chocolate factory of the eccentric Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). The place has been closed for years because the owner is afraid of spies who might steal his secret recipes. One day, however, Wonka invites five lucky people who will find golden tickets hidden in chocolates. One of them is Charlie. Wonka’s greatest rival, Arthur Slugwoth, promises each of the five children a fortune in exchange for stealing the latest chocolate, the recipe of which is being developed. At the factory, Wonka himself becomes the tour guide. Before entering, children must sign a mysterious contract, and then a tour full of surprises begins.
The second film adaptation, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, directed by Tim Burton in 2005, tells the same story, but – according to critics – in a completely different way. Charlie (Freddie Highmore) is more serious, but Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) even more eccentric and crazy. The fairy-tale land of sweets was created using special effects, which is especially impressive for young viewers. They will remember rafting down the chocolate river or flying in the glass elevator for a long time.
Main photo source: Warner Bros. Discovery