Is Wonka 2023 safe for kids? Is Wonka OK for children? Read the Wonka Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 Wonka film from Warner Bros. Pictures, starring Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson and Calah Lane. No spoilers! #Wonka May contain commissioned links.
Wonka Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
A 1964 beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory children’s book.
An Oscar® nominated 1971 classic family film.
Another Oscar® nominated 2005 Tim Burton film remake.
Can audiences expect yet another lineage of sweet success for Wonka? Or is this when the chocolate bars come crumbling down? Following a Warner Bros. 2005 Johnny Depp remake, Warner Bros. Pictures jumped all-in to the river of chocolate by acquiring the rights to Roald Dahl’s fantasy world of Willy Wonka.
But with big dreams and a Wonka origin story hanging in the balance by an everlasting gobstopper, can Timothée Chalamet stand tall with legendary Gene Wilder as the iconic Willy Wonka as a sweet equal or a chocolate flop?
In this Wonka Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating breakdown explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2023 Wonka parents guide to the new live action Wonka prequel film. A no-spoiler parent review of Wonka 2023, will families be sweet on this holiday movie release for Christmas? Or will Wonka leave a bitter taste in our mouths?
The Visuals
Visually, Wonka 2023 brings pure imagination to the big screening. Combining CGI special effects, bright colors, live action sequences, and musical numbers, Christmas has come early for Willy Wonka fans. It’s a visual feast for the eyes, filled with sweet dreams and sugar plum landscapes. Truly a wonderful visual update to the Wonka franchise.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, be warned that there is one scene of bright flashing lightning along with one scene of bright flashing lights simulating sparkly fireworks explosions that may be triggering for some. Proceed with caution if watching in IMAX or special enhanced theaters.
The Story
Written and directed by Paul King (“Paddington“) and based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory children’s book, the 1971 classic family film starring the iconic Gene Wilder, and the 2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake, this Wonka 2023 prequel movie stars Timothée Chalamet (“Dune“) as Willy Wonka in this titular role. The all-star cast includes Keegan-Michael Key (“The Super Mario Bros. Movie“), Paterson Joseph (“The Beach“), Matt Lucas (“The Great British Bake Off“), Mathew Baynton (“Horrible Histories“), Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water“), Rowan Atkinson (“Mr. Bean“), Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey“), Tom Davis (“Paddington 2“), Olivia Colman (“Secret Invasion“), Hugh Grant (“Notting Hill“) and newcomer Calah Lane.
Focusing on the origin story of young Willy Wonka and his chocolatier dreams, this fantasy musical follows the humble beginnings of this chocolate dreamer. This prequel sequel story fits Roald Dahl’s world of pure imagination.
A rare prequel that may very well rival the classic tale (did I just admit that?), I was pleasantly surprised to see Wonka’s character remain intact while Chalamet easily weaves in his own unique twist to Wonka’s mannerisms, creativity and style. Proving his skills beyond measure, Chalamet is an actor of true on-stage presence.
Weaving in new relatable characters, catchy musical numbers, and the entrepreneur spirit, Wonka teeters the line between fantasy and reality – all with sweet messages of family, love, and keeping promises. Easter Eggs are woven into this fairy tale. And the story is smooth as chocolate, making this a perfect holiday film for the family.
Wonka PG Rating Explained
Is Wonka safe for kids? Another Wonka film that’s rated PG? Are we in for another traumatic childhood boat ride? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Wonka rated PG? In this Wonka Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this live action Wonka 2023 prequel film from Warner Bros. is rated PG for “some violence, mild language, thematic elements.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Wonka 2023 is kid friendly. Is Wonka too scary for kids? Is Wonka for kids? Let’s breakdown that TV-14 age rating in this Wonka 2023 parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. Keeping in mind that Wonka does have some mild fantasy and magic themes, there are mild threats and violence, including use of one gun (one shot fired, but no one injured) and use of a baton (violent impact implied and not shown on screen). Mild vomit noises (nothing seen). Mild peril, including explosions, near drowning, imprisonment including harsh child imprisonment, baby closed inside of a fabric bag, and arson.
Adult Themes. Mild sexual innuendo is implied throughout the film, in verbal and visual references. A few kisses shown, mildly seductive dancing including shaking of one’s backside in short shorts for seductive purposes, flirting including sensual line of “if you want to make her sigh, show her some thigh” and mention of lingerie, visuals of adults in silky robes and undergarments, visuals of just backsides of characters, and one “I love you” confession.
Mild toilet humor including a verbal reference to “poop” on a shoe, visual and verbal references to farting, visual and verbal references to “milking” unconventional animals.
Moderate amount of verbal and visual references to alcohol consumption, including making of and consumption of shots and cocktails, verbal references to “gin,” “whisky,” “port,” and “wine.” People acting intoxicated/drunk.
Mild grief, death and loss themes including visual of coffin and discussion of a funeral. One verbal reference to a “third marriage” for comedic effect.
Language. Was that a Wonka swear word I heard? Almost to chocolate perfection, unfortunately, Wonka 2023 does have mild language for parents to consider. Swear words and foul language includes just one use of the word “d@mn.”
However, the use of more mild insults and bad language is used throughout this film. Rude words and phrases include “fart,” “brat,” “stupid,” “nincompoop,” “old hag,” “hate,” “blasted,” “geeze,” “oh g-d,” and “oh my Lord.” Derogatory emphasis on “poor” and “peasant” people, mild bullying and fat shaming also implied.
Wonka Movie Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 1 hour 56 minutes, Wonka 2023 is just slightly over the usual kid-friendly movies. There are some slower parts with heavy dialogue (mostly used to impact the story and character building). But with plenty of colorful visuals for kids, musical numbers and comedy infused throughout, this sweet prequel is an early Christmas gift for those searching for a family friendly holiday film.
This new Wonka 2023 musical comedy film from Warner Bros. Pictures is most like the classic 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory live action movie.
The all-new Warner Bros. Pictures live action comedy, musical Wonka film prequel is rated PG for “some violence, mild language, thematic elements” by the 2023 MPAA.
Yes, there is one mid credits scene that occurs right at the beginning of the end credits, including a musical number and a character update for Wonka fans.
Based on my Wonka parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Wonka 2023 to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old.
Considering the full PG age rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Wonka 2023 to kids younger than the age of 5-6 years old. This Wonka PG rating is pretty spot on and easily comparable to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ratings, with a little less of the creepy factor (remember the iconic boat ride that traumatized all of our childhoods?).
With fantasy themes, sexual themes and one mild language usage, I still recommend parents to prescreen Wonka film for magical fantasy themes, innuendo and alcohol references.
The Overall
Filled with emotion, storytelling and pure imagination for the senses, Wonka is the sweetest prequel I’ve watched in a long time. I laughed, I cried. I craved chocolate more times than I could count. And thankfully the fanciful and whimsy were all there, WITHOUT the side of childhood trauma.
Wonka continues to be for the world of dreamers. Creative, clever and filled with compassionate humanity – Wonka is still relative as relative today than ever. And Chalamet’s performance easily inspires a new generation of Wonka believers.
Follow Wonka on social media:
- Website: https://www.wonkamovie.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WonkaMovie
- Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/WonkaMovie
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonkamovie/
- #WonkaMovie
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Wonka, the all-new Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory live action prequel film from Warner Bros. enters theaters starting Friday, December 15, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen the Wonka 2023 film prequel in exchange for this Wonka Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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