Wonder Park
Wonder Park | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Dylan Brown[a] |
Screenplay by | |
Story by |
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Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Juan García González |
Edited by | Edie Ichioka |
Music by | Steven Price |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 85 minutes[6] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Budget | $80–100 million[7][8] |
Box office | $119.6 million[9] |
Wonder Parkis a 2019 animatedadventure comedy filmproduced byParamount AnimationandNickelodeon Movies,withIlion Animation Studioshandling animation. The plot follows a young girl who encounters a real version of her magical amusement park run by anthropomorphic animals. The film stars the voice talents ofJennifer Garner,Matthew Broderick,John Oliver,Mila Kunis,Kenan Thompson,Ken Jeong,Norbert Leo Butz,Brianna Denski, andKen Hudson Campbell.
The film was directed by formerPixaranimator Dylan Brown in his directorial debut; while he was involved through most of the production period,Paramount Picturesdismissed him in January 2018, citing "inappropriate and unwanted conduct".[1]
Wonder Parkwas released in the United States on March 15, 2019, byParamount Pictures.The film received negative reviews from critics, who praised the animation and voice acting, but criticized the story, tone, and ending. The film was also acommercial failure,grossing $119 million against a budget of $80–100 million.
Plot
[edit]June Bailey, a young imaginative girl, and her mother come up with the idea of Wonderland, a magical amusement park run by a group of anthropomorphic animals: Boomer, a big blue bear who greets guests; Greta, a wild boar; Gus and Cooper, beaver brothers; Steve, a porcupine who is the park's safety manager and is in love with Greta; and Peanut, a chimpanzee who is the park's leader and has the ability to create rides by listening to June's mother's voice. Over time, June's mother starts to get sick and is sent away for recovery. As a result, June starts alienating from Wonderland and burns the blueprints of the park out of frustration.
Sometime later, June's father sends her to math camp. After misinterpreting a note from her father as a cry for help, June uses her friend Banky to create a distraction on the bus to escape and return home to help her father. Instead, she finds a real broken-down Wonderland in the woods. The park is currently being surrounded by a cloud named the Darkness; June and the animals attempt to fix Clockwork Swings, the park's mechanism, but are attacked by Chimpanzombies, the park's former plush toys that now empower the Darkness. In the chaos, June gets separated from the animals and finds herself in a floating chamber known as Zero-G Land. There, June finds Peanut hiding from the Darkness where he confesses he felt lost after he stopped hearing the voice in his head. This leads June to realize that the Darkness was created by herself as a result of her cynicism from her mom's illness. The Chimpanzombies break in and take Peanut as their prisoner, but June escapes.
June runs back to the animals to tell them she found Peanut but also confesses that she is responsible for the Darkness. Feeling upset over this revelation, they selfishly abandon her. After noticing the piece of the blueprint and realizing that she has been able to create the ideas for the park herself, June fixes one of the attractions to catch up with the animals and make it to Clockwork Swings. She also explains why she created the Darkness, and seeing that she wants to help, the animals reform the team to save Peanut and Wonderland.
The gang finds the Chimpanzombies taking Peanut to get sucked up into the Darkness. The animals fight back while June rushes to save Peanut by jumping into the void. She promises him that she will provide the voice for his imagination and that he should not let the Darkness take over him, giving him an idea to make a slide out of bendy straws to escape. While the gang and Peanut are riding the slide to avoid the Chimpanzombies, June then notices that Clockwork Swings is attached to her name written in cursive, just like the blueprint piece. With Peanut's help, they get Clockwork Swings back up and running by using her name to move the gears, and clear up Wonderland from the Darkness. A cloud remains over the park, to which June interprets as a reminder to continue to be imaginative.
June returns home, and with it, her now cured mother, and they set up a Wonderland in their backyard. June then shares with other kids the story of Wonderland.
Voice cast
[edit]- Brianna Denski as June Bailey, an imaginative and optimistic girl who created Wonderland
- Sofia Mali as Young June
- Jennifer Garneras Mrs. Bailey, June's mother
- Matthew Broderickas Mr. Bailey, June's father
- John Oliveras Steve, a white porcupine who is the safety officer of Wonderland
- Mila Kunisas Greta, awild boarwho is Steve's love interest
- Kenan Thompsonas Gus, an orange beaver who is Cooper's brother
- Ryan Fitzgeraldvoices Gus in the Australian version andJoe Suggin the UK version[10]
- Ken Jeongas Cooper, a red beaver who is Gus' brother
- Wippavoices Cooper in the Australian version andCaspar Leein the UK version[10]
- Norbert Leo Butzas Peanut, a chimpanzee who acts as Wonderland's main mascot and ride creator
- Ken Hudson Campbellas Boomer, anarcolepticblue bear who welcomes the visitors to Wonderland
- Oev Michael Urbas as Banky, June's best friend
- Kevin Chamberlinas Uncle Tony
- Eamonn Holmesvoices Uncle Tony in the UK version[12]
- Kate McGregor-Stewart as Aunt Albertine, Ulysses' older sister
- Ruth Langsfordvoices Aunt Albertine in the UK version[12]
- Kath Soucieas Bus Counselor Shannon
Catherine CavadiniandDavid Arnottprovided additional voices via ADR group.[citation needed]
Production
[edit]Wonder Parkstarted development in early 2012, with the story being written byGalaxy QuestandLemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate EventswriterRobert Gordon[13]and production commenced in September 2014.[14]In June 2015, it was revealed that Spain'sIlion Animation Studioswould produce the film.[15]In November 2015,Paramount Animationofficially announced the project, then titledAmusement Park,with formerPixaranimator Dylan Brown directing.[16]The voices in the film were set asMatthew Broderick,Jennifer Garner,Ken Hudson Campbell(originallyJeffrey Tambor),[17]Kenan Thompson,Ken Jeong,Mila Kunis,andJohn Oliver.[16]For the lead role of June Bailey, the filmmakers wanted an unknown actress for the part. More than 1,500 people from all over the US and the world auditioned before 11-year-old Brianna Denski fromTerryville, Connecticutwas offered the role.[18]
In January 2018, it was reported that director Dylan Brown was fired from the production byParamount Pictures,following an investigation into complaints of "inappropriate and unwanted conduct".[19]Paramount offered the director's credit to multiple key creative personnel on the film, but they refused, fearing the film would be detrimental to their careers.[20]The position went then uncredited in the film.[21][1][b]In April 2018, the title of the film was changed fromAmusement ParktoWonder Park.[22]
Music
[edit]The music forWonder Parkwas scored by composerSteven Price.The album was released on March 8, 2019,[23]a week before the film was released into theatres.
Grace VanderWaalrecorded the song "Hideaway" for the film.[24]
In April 2018, it was reported thatRachel Plattenwould perform an original song forWonder Park.[25]The single, titled "Wonder", was released in March 2019.
Release
[edit]Wonder Parkwas released on March 15, 2019, by Paramount Pictures.[26][16]In January 2017, the film was moved up from its original release date, March 22, 2019, to July 13, 2018.[27][26]A few months later, it was pushed back from July 13, 2018, to August 10, 2018,[28]and by August 2017, it was pushed back for a final time to March 15, 2019.[26]
Home media
[edit]Wonder Parkwas released onDVDandBlu-rayon June 18, 2019, and on Digital HD on June 4, byParamount Home Entertainment.[29]
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]Wonder Parkgrossed$45.2 millionin the United States and Canada, and$74.4 millionin other territories, for a worldwide total of$119.6 million,against a production budget of around $80–100 million.[9][8]
In the United States and Canada,Wonder Parkwas released alongsideCaptive StateandFive Feet Apart,and was projected to gross $8–14 million from 3,838 theaters in its opening weekend.[8][7]It made $5.4 million on its first day, including $700,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $16 million, which beat projections, thoughDeadline Hollywoodsaid it was "[not] enough to consider this... production a success."[21]The film fell 45% in its second weekend, grossing $8.8 million, and 43% in its third to $5.0 million.[30][31]
Critical response
[edit]Onreview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 34% based on 108 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Colorful and energetic but lacking a compelling story,Wonder Parkis little more than a competently made diversion for very young viewers. "[32]OnMetacritic,the film has aweighted averagescore of 45 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[33]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[21]
Other media
[edit]Unaired television series
[edit]![]() | This sectionpossibly containsoriginal research.(January 2023) |
Prior toWonder Park's release, Paramount Animation announced that a television series based on the film would debut onNickelodeonafter the film's theatrical release. This would be the third animated film from Nickelodeon Movies to have a series spin-off, afterJimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusandBarnyard,and the first animated film from Paramount Animation to inspire a series spin-off from the film.[34]
Although a trailer for the series,Adventures in Wonder Park,was attached to the Blu-ray release of the film, there have been no updates from Nickelodeon on the project since. A sizable collection of unfinished episodes, including animatics, storyboards and scripts, were posted online around December 9, 2022.[35]
Mobile game
[edit]Prior to the film's release, a licensed mobile game titledWonder Park Magic Rideswas released by Pixowl.[36]
Notes
[edit]- ^Brown was fired near the end of production; Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies subsequently did not include a director's credit in the completed film.[1]
- ^The name "Alan Smithee",formerly sometimes used in such situations, was discontinued by theDirectors Guild of Americain 2000.
References
[edit]- ^abcMiller, Dylan (March 15, 2019)."Paramount's new animated movie Wonder Park doesn't have a credited director, and here's why".The A.V. Club.Archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2021.RetrievedMarch 15,2019.
- ^"Film releases".Variety Insight.Variety Media.Archivedfrom the original on October 13, 2018.RetrievedJuly 10,2018.
- ^Pedersen, Erik (July 9, 2018)."'Wonder Park' Comes Alive With Teaser Trailer & First Photo ".Deadline.Penske Media Corporation.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2018.RetrievedJuly 10,2018.
- ^Uriondo, Miguel Ángel."'Amusement Park', la mayor película de animación de la historia de España ".sabemos digital.com.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2015.RetrievedDecember 6,2015.
- ^Peña, Ángel."'Ilion goes to Hollywood': la edad de oro de la animación española ".expansion.com.Archivedfrom the original on July 19, 2016.RetrievedJuly 18,2016.
- ^"Wonder Park(2019) ".British Board of Film Classification.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2020.RetrievedMarch 5,2019.
- ^abRubin, Rebecca (March 13, 2019)."Box Office: 'Captain Marvel' Heads for Heroic Second Weekend".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2019.RetrievedMarch 13,2019.
- ^abcFaughnder, Ryan (March 14, 2019)."'Captain Marvel' is likely to crush 'Wonder Park' at the box office ".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2019.RetrievedMarch 14,2019.
- ^ab"Wonder Park(2019) ".Box Office Mojo.IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2015.RetrievedJune 12,2019.
- ^ab"Nova stars Fitzy and Wippa join Mila Kunis, Jennifer Garner in Wonder Park".www.news.com.au.November 14, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on February 20, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 20,2019.
- ^"Wonder Park: hear Tom Baker, Caspar Lee and Joe Sugg in new trailer".November 15, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 20,2019.
- ^ab"Wonder Park (Pg)".April 8, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on September 3, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 3,2019.
- ^McClintock, Pamela (April 25, 2012)."Paramount's Adam Goodman Opens Up About 'Top Gun 2,' 'Transformers 4' and Possibly Cutting Ties With DreamWorks Animation (Q&A)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on December 19, 2019.RetrievedDecember 19,2019.
I can't talk about the project, but Robert Gordon [Galaxy Quest] is writing an original story for us.
- ^Hopewell, John; Lang, Jamie (June 13, 2018)."Paramount Animation's 'Wonder Park' Rocks Annecy".Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 20,2019.
- ^Hopewell, John (June 15, 2015)."Annecy: Paramount Animation, Spain's Ilion Ally on 3D Tentpole (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 27,2017.
- ^abcMcNary, Dave (November 10, 2015)."Paramount Sets 'SpongeBob 3' for 2019, Delays 'Monster Trucks' to 2017".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2015.RetrievedNovember 11,2015.
- ^Collinson, Gary (June 25, 2018)."Paramount drops Jeffrey Tambor from animated movie Wonder Park".Flickering Myth.Archivedfrom the original on September 2, 2023.RetrievedJuly 7,2018.
- ^"Acting bug leads WAMS pupil to key role in 'Wonder Park'".March 19, 2019.
- ^"Paramount Fires 'Amusement Park' Director Over" Inappropriate "Conduct Claim (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.January 30, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 20,2019.
- ^Aguilar, Carlos (March 16, 2019)."'Wonder Park' Sinks With Negative Reviews And Notoriety For Having No Credited Director ".Cartoon Brew.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 18,2020.
- ^abcD'Alessandro, Anthony (March 17, 2019)."'Captain Marvel' Rises To Second Best 2nd Weekend In March With $69M+ – Sunday AM Update ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 30, 2019.RetrievedMarch 17,2019.
- ^Busch, Anita (April 12, 2018)."The Boss Baby's Ramsey Naito, Others Join Paramount Animation Executive Ranks".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on April 17, 2018.RetrievedApril 12,2018.
- ^says, Dan Pierce."'Wonder Park' Soundtrack Details - Film Music Reporter ".Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2019.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
- ^Moreau, Jordan."Ken Jeong Shares the Advice He Gave to His YoungWonder ParkCo-Stars "ArchivedMarch 24, 2019, at theWayback Machine,Variety,March 11, 2019
- ^"'Wonder Park' to Feature Original Song by Rachel Platten - Film Music Reporter ".Archivedfrom the original on March 27, 2019.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
- ^abcD'Alessandro, Anthony (August 7, 2017)."Paramount Will Now Construct 'Amusement Park' On March 2019".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on August 7, 2017.RetrievedAugust 7,2017.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 26, 2017)."Paramount's 'Amusement Park' Relocates To Summer 2018".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 27,2017.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 28, 2017)."Paramount Teases Nickelodeon-Based Feature Toon Lineup Including 'The Loud House' – CinemaCon".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2017.RetrievedOctober 8,2017.
- ^"Wonder Park DVD Release Date June 18, 2019".DVDs Release Dates.Archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2019.RetrievedMay 9,2019.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 24, 2019)."How Universal Drove Jordan Peele's 'Us' To $70M+ Opening, The Best Start For A Live-Action Original Since 'Avatar' – Update".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2019.RetrievedMarch 31,2019.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 31, 2019)."'Dumbo' Hovers Low With $46M+ But Hopes On Matinees; Matthew McConaughey Hits Bottom With $1.7M 'Beach Bum'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 30, 2019.RetrievedMarch 31,2019.
- ^"Wonder Park (2019)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.Archivedfrom the original on April 14, 2021.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
- ^"Wonder Park reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2019.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^Donnelly, Matt (March 28, 2017)."Paramount's 'Amusement Park' Movie to Become Nickelodeon TV Show After Theatrical Release".The Wrap.Archivedfrom the original on April 1, 2017.RetrievedApril 1,2017.
- ^[1]ArchivedDecember 31, 2022, at theWayback MachineYouTube
- ^"Wonder Park Magic Rides: A SuperParent First Look".superparent.com.Archivedfrom the original on April 5, 2019.RetrievedApril 5,2019.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- 2019 films
- 2010s American animated films
- 2019 3D films
- 2019 computer-animated films
- American 3D films
- American children's animated adventure films
- American children's animated comedy films
- American children's animated fantasy films
- American computer-animated films
- American fantasy adventure films
- Animated adventure films
- 2010s adventure comedy films
- Animated films about apes
- Animated films about bears
- Animated films about talking animals
- Animated films set in amusement parks
- Magic realism films
- Ilion Animation Studios films
- Paramount Animation films
- Paramount Pictures animated films
- Paramount Pictures films
- Nickelodeon Movies films
- Nickelodeon animated films
- Films scored by Steven Price
- Films with screenplays by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec
- Spanish children's films
- Spanish animated fantasy films
- Spanish adventure comedy films
- Films adapted into television shows
- 3D animated films
- 2010s children's animated films
- 2010s children's fantasy films
- 2010s fantasy adventure films
- 2019 directorial debut films
- 2019 comedy films
- 2010s English-language films