This is the third movie version of Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” all three having musical elements and, happily, all three being rather different than one another.  I really enjoy the 1971 Mel Stuart musical; it improves for me upon each viewing; I think Gene Wilder was as his absolute best as the wacky chocolatier.  I’m not much of a fan of the 2005 Tim Burton version; Johnny Depp is more creepy than charming in the same role.  Now it has been reimagined again, with different emphases and far greater peril for the unfortunate characters, many of whom are changed from the earlier films.  This one also has new songs, save for two from the original film.

Paul King’s version sets out to be romantic and sweet, as young chocolate maker Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) sails into an unnamed European city, loses what little money he has, yet attempts to found the world’s greatest chocolate shop.  Instead, he encounters crime and corruption, is cast into indentured servitude, fails on almost every level, accidentally poisons some of his chocolate buyers (with yeti sweat!) and eventually is targeted for murder.  Yes, this sweet family musical adventure, in keeping with our modern sensibilities, is not content with a story about a boy named Charlie finding his “golden ticket” and experiencing the wonder of a lifetime.  No, here we have a girl named Noodle (Calah Lane) and four adult friends who are imprisoned in a basement forced to do laundry all day, kept in captivity by people to whom greed and corruption are second nature.  When Wonka arrives the three colluding chocolatiers determine to end his threat to their business quickly and harshly.  And yes, they eventually try to kill him.  Have we become so inured to crime and the dirty deeds of people that we have to witness it everywhere?  Really?

The good news is that all this darkness is played with a deft, light touch, and is never really too dramatic (or believable, for that matter).  Wonka is a charming guy, daydreaming and singing and dancing occasionally with some catchy new tunes by Neil Hannon.  These songs fit pretty well into the previous path paved by Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse and Danny Elfman.  The “Oompa Loompa” song makes its return when sprightly Hugh Grant appears, and it’s pretty darn amusing.  And, finally, the most memorable song from the first film is reprised, when Wonka sings “Pure Imagination” at the dramatic climax of the story, then quickly reprises it again setting up a possible follow-up feature.  Mr. Chalamet is not as talented a warbler as was Mr. Wilder, but his pleasant voice and manner puts across his songs with verve and sparkling energy.

Despite my misgivings over the actual story that this version tells, I must admit that I enjoyed much of it.  The villainous chocolate moguls get their own catchy song, a giraffe figures heavily into the action, the production design is first rate, the songs are imaginatively staged and much fun was had by all.  It isn’t quite the classic that the slightly psychedelic 1971 film proved to be, but it’s a darn sight better than Tim Burton’s version, in my view.  All in all, it’s a sweet, somewhat bittersweet, treat.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  3 January 2024.