Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, young chocolatier Willy Wonka manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.

For in-depth thoughts on Wonka, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Wonka offers a dazzling presentation sure to please any fan, but the lack of an accompanying Blu-Ray makes it difficult to judge the level of upgrade. The application of Dolby Vision/HDR gets all of the eye-popping nuances out of the colors. Although much of this locale is thematically gloomy before Wonka arrives to roust citizens out of the doldrums, when things do swing into full effect, the palette is stunning. One of the most fun aspects of this movie is all of the eye-popping costumes which are presented with a pleasing nuance. The lighting also really makes an impression with an array of hues in every number. The increased range of the color spectrum is a sight to see.

Black levels are amazing in this presentation, staying deep and inky with tremendous detail. The highlights in the film are likewise impeccably defined with whites stable and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Elements taking place in any shadowy enclaves are more vivid and finely delineated. Skin tones appear a touch more natural with crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores and makeup. This 4K UHD presentation shows why the format is so vital in the home entertainment landscape. Warner Bros. has knocked it out of the park with another tremendous transfer on this latest 4K release.

Audio Quality

This disc comes correct with a suitably complex Dolby Atmos presentation that works wonders for this narrative. With this being a musical, you have to make sure your tunes are radiating in top form. From the opening moments, this track announces itself with an expansive experience suitable for such a varied sonic palette. Music is the heartbeat of this film, and it permeates the room with an energy befitting the narrative. Sounds are faithfully rendered with peerless directionality from the more complex numbers to the exchanges of dialogue.

Dialogue is presented crisply and clearly without ever being overwhelmed by any of the competing sonic elements. Ambient details fill the speakers to quite satisfying ends in the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels complement the supporting channels which allows the world to feel a bit more three-dimensional. The low end is engaged enthusiastically thanks to the myriad of sounds. The mix will be a treat to all with a good home theater system. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles provided.

Special Features

Unwrapping Wonka – Paul King’s Vision: A nearly 13-minute featurette that takes a look at the sensibilities of writer-director Paul King, the development of the original ideas and themes of the film, the casting of Timothée Chalamet and what made him so perfect for the role, crafting the world of this story, the hair and makeup team, the musical numbers, and much more.

The Whimsical Music of Wonka: A six-minute look at the creation of the music for the film, how music coalesces with the storytelling, the different genres at play, and more.

Welcome to Wonka Land: An 11-minute look at how this creative team created this rich world, the care that was put into each location, how the town acts as the “greatest hits” of Europe, and more.

Hats Off to Wonka: A seven-minute exploration of the various costumes, the influence of the time period, the color palette, and more that is broken down in great detail.

Wonka’s Chocolatier: A nine-minute piece with chocolatier Gabriella Cugno who takes you through the creation of the delectable treats in the film.

Musical Moments: An option is given to jump directly to the musical numbers in the film.

Final Thoughts

Wonka is a film that did not necessarily need to be made, but given the fact that it was inevitable this property was going to be mined again, we are glad it was through the lens of Paul King. The creative has a gentle sensibility that feels spiritually in line with the source material, even if he lacks a bit of the bite to make it fully on even footing. This approach yields very entertaining results as this story hits on both a pure spectacle level as well as an emotional one. Timothée Chalamet is unexpected casting when thinking of Gene Wilder, but he does a really fine job in the title role. This keeps the legacy of the original film intact while forging ahead with its own fun sensibilities. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring an amazing A/V presentation and a nice assortment of special features. If you have to rely on IP, this is one of the better examples we have seen as of late. Recommended

Wonka is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.