Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and on digital is the fun, animated, family movie, Wonder Park.
Wonder Park features the voice talents of Brianna Denski, Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Garner, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, Mila Kunis and John Oliver, to name a few.
Going to an amusement park was always one of my favorite things to do growing up, most especially this time of year (summer). I used to love to go on all the rides – including scary roller coasters that go upside down and backwards. I think it was my love of amusement parks that made me excited to see Wonder Park.
Wonder Park is the story about a young girl name June. June has a very close relationship with her mother. They would spend hours upon hours playing in her room make believe playing about a special amusement run by animals (her stuff animals were part of the make believe story), and crazy rides.
Sadly, June’s mom gets very ill and has to go away for treatment. Her illness is not specifically identified in the film, but I suspect cancer.
To keep her busy and help keep her mind off her mom’s illness, June is sent off to a summer math camp.
June doesn’t want to go to math camp. She also worries about her father with both her mom and herself out of the home. Because of her concerns, June gets off the bus and wonders into the woods.
While wondering around the woods, June comes upon a broken down amusement park. To her surprise, it’s the park that her and her mother have imagined. The only exception is that the park is broken down.
The animals June and her mom imagined running the park – Boomer the Bear, Greta the Wild Hog, and beaver brothers Gus and Cooper are all there in the park. The only one missing is the head animal, Peanut the Chimpanzee. He’s gone into hiding.
The park is also overshadowed by a dark cloud.
June doesn’t want her vision of Wonderland to be this way, especially for her mom’s sake. For that reason she encourages the animals to bring the park back to it’s glory, as well as enlists them to help her to find Peanut, because she knows upon Peanuts return, the park will be back to the way she always imagined it would be.
Will June ever find Peanut? Will Wonderland (Wonder Park) ever return to the way June and her mom imagined it would be? And what about June’s mom? Will she get better and will she and June be able to enjoy Wonderland together again? To find out, you need to pick up a copy (or rent) Wonder Park. Look for it where ever movies are sold/rented.
First and foremost, I can totally relate to June in a lot of ways. I used to spend hours upon hours (and that is no exaggeration) with my cousins (as well as by myself) playing with all my Playskool, Fisher Price Little People and Weeble Wobbles toys set up to resemble Disney World. I used my circus train as the monorail. My princess castle was my Fisher Price Little People Castle, and I owned the Playskool Holiday Inn. I had other play sets as well (airport, house, McDonald’s…). My Fisher Price Little People had the time of their lives in our version of Disney World. I can totally relate to June’s character in this aspect.
I felt like making June’s mom sick and having to go away for treatment was a bit too “deep” for a children’s/family film. It was very “heavy” like how the Carl’s wife died in Up, and how lost Riley felt in the movie Inside/Out. I would have appreciated it more if they made it a bit more simple, like June’s mom had to go away on an extended business trip, or she was on her way to camp and accidentally got lost. That would have been better as far as I’m concerned.
The dark cloud the loomed over Wonderland is clearly a metaphor for how June’s mom’s illness loomed over June’s heart. I thought that was pretty brilliant.
The characters in the film (animals) are all really charming, delightful and most importantly, likable. Personally, I liked Boomer the best, as I’m sure many kids (and adults) do as well. However, all of the characters are super cute as well.
I think there is a moral in this story, or at least some kind of life lesson. Maybe it’s to not let go of your dreams, not matter how hard times might be. Or maybe it’s never forget about the child inside (as it pertains to June’s mom). Honestly, I think there is some life lesson sprinkled in this film, I just can’t pin point it.
There are a lot of bonus features with this film (Blu-ray). I haven’t had a chance to look over them yet, but I will over the summer when I have the chance.
Overall I really enjoyed the film. I think it’s the perfect film for summer vacation and getaways.
Below is the theatrical trailer for your enjoyment. The film is no longer in theaters.
I have a super cute Wonder Park giveaway for a lucky reader. The prize package consists of the following goodies.
- Blu-ray Combo Pack
- Plush Toy (style will vary – but it’s one of the characters from the film)
- Backpack
- 2 Fanny packs,
- Phone Charger (a must have when you travel)
- Sunscreen (another must have – I keep mine in my glove box in my car)
- Band-Aid Holder
- Wonder Park Roller Coaster Toys (super cute!)
I received a plush Greta.
The roller coaster cards are cute. I like that the little figurines store inside of them for safe keeping when not being played with.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 11:59 PM (EST) on June 23, 2019.
The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via email and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
THIS GIVEAWAYS IS OVER. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING. Comments/entries are no longer being accepted.
Please be sure to pick up (or rent) Wonder Park.
Kimberly
*I received a free movie screener to review and the same prize package for my participation. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
