Wonder

Wonder is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad, and Chbosky, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by R.J. Palacio. The film stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, and follows a child with Treacher Collins syndrome trying to fit in.

Wonder was released in the United States on November 17, 2017, by Lionsgate, and has grossed $305 million worldwide.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) It's emotional, charming, sympathetic, and likable.
 * 2) Although the film is not based on any true events, it manages to feel as real as possible.
 * 3) Talented acting.
 * 4) * Noah Jupe plays a brilliant American accent as Jack.
 * 5) The dialogue is really splendid.
 * 6) Songs from other bands or famous people in the film like "We're Going to Be Friends" for example are really fun songs to put inside the movie.
 * 7) Amazing music soundtrack.
 * 8) The slice of life story is very well-done.
 * 9) The ending is great.
 * 10) The moments mostly are either really heartwarming, emotional, or really spectacular, like Jack apologizing to Auggie on a Minecraft server, the heartwarming Christmas sequence and the very emotional and sad moment of the death of the Pullmans' dog, Daisy.
 * 11) The pop culture references concerning Star Wars and Minecraft are acceptable and non-invasive.
 * 12) * Chewbacca's appearance is a surprising honor to be in the movie.
 * 13) Just like the novel this book's based on, various different perspectives are shown from the major characters. Even though August/"Auggie" is clearly the main character, all of the supporting characters have their own stories to tell that are just as emotional as Auggie's, which really helps to make them all three-dimensional. Every major character in the film is flawed in some way.
 * 14) * Auggie Pullman as mentioned earlier, is the lead character and went through no less than 27 facial surgeries, which would result in his face getting deformed as well as being shunned by other kids and even adults, with only his parents and his big sister Via to care for and protect him. And yet, despite the issue, he's still mainly a friendly, normal kid, who's into ordinary kid stuff such as Star Wars, and XBOX games, and dreams of being an astronaut. He's also an expert at science.
 * 15) * His older sister (Oli)Via Pullman is just as friendly and emotionally conflicted as Auggie despite not having a facial deformity. When Auggie was born, her parents would dedicate most of their time towards him wanting to help him, which would force Via to become independent and do her homework and study for tests on her own. However, she's used to this and still loves and cares for her little brother, always comforting him and coming to his defense whenever anyone dared to mock his face or talk behind his back. Via was more than Auggie's sister, she was his best friend. Although she's often secretly envious of all the attention Auggie got and wanted to prove she could she on her own, and not just be "Auggie's sister". She's also depressed over the death of her grandmother -- one of the only people who understood her pain -- her best friend Miranda barely interacting with her anymore and being an outcast a school, with only Justin being there for her.
 * 16) * Jack Will, one of Auggie's tutors and his closest friend, initially didn't even want to be a tutor for Auggie, only doing so because his mother forced him into it and he wanted to protect him from Julian. However, after getting used to his face and actually getting to know him, he began to form a genuine liking to him, admiring Auggie's kindness and science skills and defending him from Julian's bullying. The duo would quickly become close friends being near-inseparable, with Jack being the first true first Auggie's had in quite some time. Unfortunately, Jack would insult of his appearance with Julian, unaware that he was present, forcing Jack to realize his mistake and prove he could relinquish his bad ways, and truly be loyal and dependable.
 * 17) *Miranda Navas spends a good chunk of the film acting like an insensitive jerk, but her side of the story helps viewers see things in a whole new light. Miranda has been Via's best friend since childhood and was very close to the Pullman family. But prior to her freshman year, her parents got divorced with her father getting married to his old boss, and her mother not getting over it having to continue looking after her. She also got a job at a summer camp (which she hated by the way) just she could be somewhere other than her house. While at the camp, she'd unintentionally play a make-believe game where she'd pretend she had a life similar to the Pullmans -- who she felt had a far better life than her. She'd suddenly gain lots of attention from the other girls, becoming the most popular girl in camp. She was too ashamed to call Via as she feared Via would ask questions about her parents and camp. Then, when she saw Via audition for the play, it would just confirm her thoughts on how Via was cooler than her, and she'd distance herself as a result of not wanting to bring up her tragic life.
 * 18) It's very faithful to the novel it was based on, despite having some scenes in the film that were different from the novel.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The decision to cast an actor without Treacher-Collins syndrome to play a character with the disease has been criticized by many people with physical disabilities that were offended with the choice behind the character, which is just taking it the wrong way.
 * 2) Though heartwarming, the ending with the award ceremony is ironic and takes the message about treating people equally away. Considering the fact Auggie's bully (Julian) appears at Auggie's award ceremony despite getting suspended from school earlier.

Reception
This movie received really positive reviews from critics. It was praised for the emotional and heartwarming moments, characters, actors, and how the movie was based on the book from 2012.

Trivia

 * Noah Jupe is not from the United States, he is actually born in the United Kingdom, thus in real life, he has a British accent. Explaining why he is one of the British child actors to give Jack an American accent because of the fact that the movie was set in the United States.