THE power of childhood imagination is a wondrous thing and sometimes it takes films like Wonder Park to remind us.
The animated movie follows the creative and positive June Bailey (Brianna Denski) who, with the help of her mum (Jennifer Garner), has invented a fictitious amusement park run by animals called Wonderland.
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READ NOWThere is a big blue bear named Boomer (Ken Hudson Campbell), wild boar Greta (Mila Kunis), beaver brothers Gus and Cooper (voiced in the Australian version by Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli), porcupine Steve (John Oliver) and leader Peanut (Norbet Leo Butz), a monkey who is inspired to make the park’s rides when he hears June’s mother’s voice.
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When her mum gets sick and has to go away for treatment, the once optimistic June becomes withdrawn and discards her Wonderland dreams to focus on looking after her dad (Matthew Broderick).
After a bus incident on the way to math camp, June stumbles through the forest and discovers that Wonderland is not just a figment of her imagination.
However, all is not well at the amusement park, which has developed ‘The Darkness’ and is being overrun by Chimpanzombies, the park’s former plush toys.
Wonder Park is an apt rollercoaster ride of emotion for audiences of all ages.
With heart-warming dialogue like “I know the girl who imagined it and she can do anything” and “Keep your little light shining bright”, it is a life-affirming film that really does put the wonder in wonderland.
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THE ESSENTIALS
Wonder Park (PG)
Starring: Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick
3.5 stars
Reviewed by Tanya MacNaughton
In cinemas April 11