Wonka - The scoop and digest

Paul King's origin story is co-written by Simon Farnaby and serves as a spiritual prequel to 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Yes, not 2005 remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Timothée Chalamet - Willy Wonka

Calah Lane - Noodle

Keegan-Michael Key - Chief-of-Police

Paterson Joseph - Slugworth

Matt Lucas - Prodnose

Matthew Baynton - Fickelgruber

Olivia Colman - Mrs. Scrubbit

Summary

Aspiring inventor and chocolatier Willy Wonka arrives in an unnamed European city to fulfil lifelong dream of opening his own chocolate shop at the Galeris Gourmet.

He decides to stay at a laundromat owned by the unscrupulous Mrs. Scrubbit and racks up a huge bill of 10,000 sovereigns.

Unable to pay off debt, Scrubbit forces him to work with fellow 'slaves' Noodle, Abacus, Larry, Lottie and Piper.

Abacus reveals that Slugworth, Fickelgruber and Prognose (the Chocolate Cartel) have been watering down chocolate for years, storing thousands of gallons of excess in a secret vault guarded by Father Julius and 500 chocoholic monks.

Wonka and co hatch a plan to expose blackmail and corruption.

Chocopocalypse Now

Forget Johnny Depp, Gene Wilder's portrayal of Willy Wonka was nigh on perfect.

Chalamet displays exuberance, but film plods along at a fairly pedestrian pace.

Although eventually bursting with colour, world lacks the Pure Imagination of magical original.

Neil Hannon's songs can be pretty catchy and my personal favourite was Scrub Scrub.

Hugh Grant's digital face slapped on Oompa Loompa shows up in the final half hour and proved to be a Lofty distraction.

Also, I question the necessity of character?

Oh silly me, fan service boxes must be ticked.

Some may disagree, but CG giraffe chasing Rowan Atkinson through a church was pretty strange.

Mary Poppins-esque family fantasy will probably go down a treat with kids, but for me, tasted a little sour.