Wonka's Golden Ticket review
Netflix’s new series is the ruthless, hyper-capitalist competitive take on a kids’ book that no one needed. AI-generating Gene Wilder’s voice for it just feels wrong
TL;DR
- The show is a "Squid Game"-like competition set in the world of Willy Wonka.
- Contestants compete for a substantial cash prize, leading to ruthless behavior.
- The use of AI to recreate Gene Wilder's voice is described as "stilted" and "wrong."
- The pacing is criticized for being too slow, diminishing the impact of challenges.
- The show blends infantilization with hyper-capitalist ruthlessness.
- Despite well-realized set pieces, the show's value system is seen as bleak and recycled.
- The series ultimately points in a "opposite moral direction" to its source material, featuring more "Veruca Salts" than "Charlie Buckets."