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'Wonka' is simply a delight, the definition of whimsical, light as a feather and frothy with innocence. I write mostly to put some context with the 1971 version. That picture was a success, mostly due to a superb performance by Gene Wilder and three unforgettable songs (in otder, 'Candyman', 'I've Got a Golden Ticket' and 'Pure Imagination'.) But it had considerable flaws It began life as a promotion for a new line of candy. It was never properly financed - the scene designers did their best with a completely inadequate budger. Above all, there are several ham-handed, leaden sermons to the kids, about the dangers of tv watching, gum chewing, gluttony, and general selfishness. They're both unpleasant and boring. Oompa-loompa, indeed.

The songs in this movie are not nearly so good, but they are all at the service of really wonderful production numbers (there are none in the 1971 movie). The villainy and villains manage to be as delightfully funny as the heroes. The movie is superbly cast, with Timothee Chalamet surprisingly good as Wonka (he is not been in too many movies in which he exhibited lightness-of-touch), and the likes.of Olivia Colma, Hugh Grant, and Keegan-Michael Key perfect in their parts.

It's the best family movie in years. Roald Dahl would have disliked this thorughly, which only indicates what a triumph of innocent fun it is.