I came out of this movie with a huge smile on my face. After the sterile Tim Burton directed film of 2005 (a technically accomplished but soulless film) I never thought anyone would get anywhere near the warmth of the 1971 film. However Timothee Chalamet is just so likeable in this film and sings and dances very well. The music has some really wonderful songs too and they add to the overall fun of the film. Adults as well as children in the audience were visibly enjoying this movie.
The supporting cast help add to the warmth of the story, even the villains. Hugh Grant is wonderfully droll as well and provides some terrific dry humour. His Oompah Loompah make-up is so well done he actually genuinely looks like he walked off the set of Gene Wilder's 1971 classic.
My only grumble is that the film drags in a couple of places and probably needed a slightly tighter script. There are also a couple of horrible Americanisms in this film which feel out of place amongst a mostly British cast. However the cast give it their all (Olivia Colman and Tom Davis are in full on pantomime mode and enjoying themselves), and some terrific trick photography. The film also has some subtle and not so subtle nods to the 1971 Gene Wilder film which will appease a lot of older viewers.
Alongside the surprisingly excellent Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse that came earlier this year, this is one of the most entertaining movies of 2023. It doesn't quite hit the heights of the same director's Paddington movies but it's still a huge amount of fun and easily the best film out this Christmas. Thoroughly recommended family viewing.
The supporting cast help add to the warmth of the story, even the villains. Hugh Grant is wonderfully droll as well and provides some terrific dry humour. His Oompah Loompah make-up is so well done he actually genuinely looks like he walked off the set of Gene Wilder's 1971 classic.
My only grumble is that the film drags in a couple of places and probably needed a slightly tighter script. There are also a couple of horrible Americanisms in this film which feel out of place amongst a mostly British cast. However the cast give it their all (Olivia Colman and Tom Davis are in full on pantomime mode and enjoying themselves), and some terrific trick photography. The film also has some subtle and not so subtle nods to the 1971 Gene Wilder film which will appease a lot of older viewers.
Alongside the surprisingly excellent Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse that came earlier this year, this is one of the most entertaining movies of 2023. It doesn't quite hit the heights of the same director's Paddington movies but it's still a huge amount of fun and easily the best film out this Christmas. Thoroughly recommended family viewing.