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Apple TV+'s ‘WondLa’ Brings a Beloved Children's Fantasy to Life

, | July 2, 2024 | By

WondLa has come to AppleTV+, bringing the New York Times bestselling children's fantasy book series to life.

The Search for WondLa, by Tony DiTerlizzi, captured the imaginations of young readers when the first book of the trilogy was published in 2010. Now, Skydance Animation has put the stories on screen, having launched in late June with the first three (of a total of seven) half-hour episodes.

What is WondLa About?

Here's how AppleTV+ describes it:

WondLa centers around Eva, voiced by Jeanine Mason (Roswell, New Mexico), a curious, enthusiastic and spirited teenager being raised in a state-of-the-art underground bunker by Muthr, a robot caretaker, voiced by Emmy Award-nominee Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives).

On her 16th birthday, an attack on Eva’s bunker forces her onto the Earth’s surface, which is now inhabited by aliens, covered with other-worldly fauna, and no other humans to be found. In fact, it’s no longer called Earth but Orbona.

Otto, a loveable giant water bear with whom Eva shares telepathic powers voiced by Emmy Award winner Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Rovender, a cantankerous alien with a troubled past voiced by Gary Anthony Williams (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) join Eva as she leads the team on a dangerous quest to find humans, her home, and her true destiny.

 

Underground

The first episode takes Eva from a baby to her 16th birthday. As a child she is adorable, energetic, and extremely curious. She desperately wants a human playmate, but all she has is a stuffed animal and Muthr. Always questioning, Eva wonders why they are living underground and when will she be allowed to go to the surface of the planet. She is told she must complete her training first.

Earth Is No Longer Earth

When the bunker is attacked, Eva must escape to the surface where she thinks she knows everything. Eva has been educated about life on Earth, however when she gets to the surface things are completely different and out of whack, to put it mildly.

There are flying whales, a variety of aliens, and unexplainable creatures. All Eva wants to do, however, is to find the other humans and join them. She just wants to belong somewhere with others like her. Is that too much to ask?

Earth is now called Orbona and is a dangerous place. Eva befriends an alien called Rovender and a giant water bear named Otto. This fellow is sweet, adorable, and can communicate telepathically with Eva.

When Muthr finally joins them, they set out on a journey to find other humans. It would be easier to do if she was not being hunted by the evil Besteel who collects species for his own collection, including an adorable baby Sand Sniper, who is abducted right before her eyes.

Spoiler alert: this little fellow is eventually reunited with his mom, thanks to the heroic efforts of Eva.

A Journey Through Orbona

The inhabitants of Orbona have never seen a human before. They fear Eva because humans destroyed the planet. Eva, Rovender, Muthr, and Otto experience life on Orbona, together with an array of aliens curious about the human. Do humans really have ten toes?

With just one clue as to where other humans might be, Eva is intent on forging ahead, no matter what dangers she must face. She is steadfast in her goal to find the other humans.

Parental Warning

This is a beautiful series with colorful scenery and creatures, not to mention a spirited, brave, and inspiring young heroine. But there are numerous scenes of peril and violence. There are also many emotional scenes that will touch the hearts of viewers.

Eva is a young girl who desperately wants to be a part of a group. She feels that seeking out humans is her only reason for being there.

A Sci-Fi Fantasy

Combining the fantasy and science fiction of Star Wars with some of the advancements of The Jetsons (robots and flying cars), and even a bit of Raya and the Last Dragon, The Wizard of Oz, and let’s not forget Planet of the Apes, this is an interesting tale.

It’s very imaginative and focuses on the desire for a young girl to belong. After all, that’s all Eva ever wanted and that’s what all kids want.

There's No Place Like Home

Eva’s desire to be with other humans and have a real home is front and center throughout the seven episodes of this first season. The bunker was her home for her first 16 years, but now she is out in the world searching for her place and her destiny. That will be continued in the second season.

Final Word

This is creative, beautifully animated, and enjoyable, however ,the perils might be too scary and emotional for younger viewers. The books have received glowing reviews from readers as young as 10, however seeing the dangers and death of one of the characters play out on the screen is a little different than reading about them. Just keep that in mind.

One Last Thought ...

Those who loved the books will be entranced by the beautifully animated series. The finale of this season leaves viewers -- and Eva -- with hope.

 

Image: AppleTV+

Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist, covering entertainment, product reviews and travel, and is the host of Beyond the Red Carpet on Village Television and YouTube.

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