Wonder Review

PG: thematic elements including bullying, and some mild language 

Lionsgate, Mandeville Films, Participant Media, Walden Media

1 Hr and 53 Minutes

Dir: Stephen Chbosky | Writers: Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad, Stephen Chbosky

Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs, Izabela Vidovic, Millie Davis, Bryce Gheisa, Danielle Rose Russell, Noah Jupe 

INTRO: Around this time five years ago Stephen Chbosky made his directorial debut with the film adaptation to HIS book, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” That movie was one of the best films of 2012 where it was a brilliant modern day coming of age tale that was distinct than the rest. It was the role that made everyone love Logan Lerman and Emma Watson more than we already do. Also, it was one of two movies that put Ezra Miller really on the map of Hollywood. It was I was both “We Need to Talk About Kevin: and that. I argue if it weren't for him playing Patrick in “Perks” then he wouldn’t be acting as The Flash in “Justice League,” which ironically is coming out the same weekend as Chbosky’s “Wonder.” Well, Chbosky is back with his second solo feature based on a novel by R.J. Palacio. 

Just an unrelated side note but one of my newest favorite moments of this year was attending BookCon where I met Chbosky and asked him about successful screenwriting, and he gave me an elaborate six-point plan that everyone who wants to write should follow. It was incredible. NOW TO THE REVIEW!

Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

THE BAD

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There is no reason this needed to be a two-hour movie even though it moves by pretty quickly. It does overstay. As welcome, but for the most part this is one of the most wholesome movies of 2017, and I respect the decency. Out of every family film to see this season, this has to be one of the best for the entire family. 

THE GOOD

Jacob Tremblay is a national treasure, and he needs to be protected at all costs. Its been two years since the eleven-year-old starred in "Room" with Brie Larson and his acting abilities just get better with age. Where other films he is acting with adult actors, this is the first time he's performing amongst other kids, and he's as great with them as well. Unlike other child actors, I feel like by the time he hits his teenage years he’s going to either get an Oscar nomination or win. I’m still mad that he wasn’t nominated in "Room." I’ve never said “Aww” some many times in a movie this year than this, and never once was it even manipulative.

One can be appreciative to be the visualizations we get inside the mind of Auggie mind.  There is a lot of referencing to Star Wars, and we get some cameos that made me surprised that LucasFilm allowed a particular character to appear in this movie.

Chbosky made me a faithful adaptation to a story where it does play like a visual storybook were its divided into chapters that are focused on all the kids as they narrate their relationship to Auggie  Granted after that specific character does said narration, it would deviate to focus on another character. This movie isn’t just Auggie’s story for the film is divided into sections based on each member of the kids’ point of view from Auggie to his sister Via to Auggie’s friend Jack-Will to Via’s ex-friend Miranda.

Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson are given parent roles, and they are great. Wilson is that fun and joyous comic relief who gets a huge belly laugh every time he is onscreen. He doesn’t have much screen time, but for the time he is, he’s hysterical in a way you haven’t seen from him in a very long time (like since "Wedding Crashers"). But in its center, the movie’s primary focus is these kids, and they always feel like their age. 

The screenplay does harken back to one’s childhood where they go through the struggle of fitting in no matter whether he or she is an elementary school child or a high schooler. The authenticity of childhood growth is there and never betrays that. All of the kids do act like kids, and you don’t see that very often in films nowadays. For God’s sake the film utilizes Minecraft in as a plot device to reestablish a broken friendship between kids, and it does warrant some shredded tears. “Wonder” may be the only movie ever made to make you cry over two kids playing Minecraft.

I don’t want to say much about "Wonder" other than its wholesome Its sweet natured. It does have moments of melodrama, but at its core, you have a movie about family, acceptance, and growth which all those themes were present in Chbosky’s  “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Just like Chbosky’s last film, he does an amazing job at balancing them all and hitting home all these human qualities in a realistically relatable way.

 

 

LAST STATEMENT

"Wonder" may overstay its welcome (clocking in at nearly two hours), but due to it's inspiring and well-natured heart that is worn on its sleeve, Chbosky's latest film makes it a well-earned family flick for all.

Rating: 4/5 | 84%

Super Scene: Jack-Will gets a clue and does something about it.