Wonder Park

To put it simply, "Wonder Park" can't keep the wonder and the park on the same page.

Melancholy in all the wrong ways, this is a mostly forgettable movie that only makes a strong impression when it's disturbing or saddening in a manner the film itself seem only dimly aware of.

The wonders of Wonder Park are dampened by the pall of grief that the protagonist is experiencing, while the wacky amusement park antics prevent the story from going especially deep.

If "Wonder Park" were a carnival attraction, it would be the merry-go-round. The animated movie has animals, relentless positivity and the most predictable journey ever.

A clumsy but amiable kids movie with a streak of sincerity that stretches further than the Wonder Park itself.

But even before it gets to its conspicuously director-less end credits, Wonder Park has the unmistakable air of a promising movie no one has taken full responsibility for polishing into a good one.

"Wonder Park" has enough nice elements to justify a look, but not at full ticket price. Parents might want to keep this one for a discount Tuesday or matinée, especially in light of some of the better first-run options playing in theaters right now.

A group of characters so flat that 3-D can only give them one dimension. A film about creative inspiration that has absolutely none.

It's the rare animated movie that allows for this kind of deconstruction while still remaining a fun story at heart.

Wonder Park hammers home feelings of abandonment to underline a message about creativity that didn't need such emotionally downbeat elements to have resonance.

Wonder Park is a magical film that pushes kids and adults alike to embrace creativity and let your imagination run wild.

... never captures the same excitement as the theme-park thrill rides at its core, and doesn't offer much emotional depth in its quieter moments, either.