7 WondLas

Apple TV+ has its share of breakout television series, titles known even to non-subscribers. But it also has series you've likely never heard of... which probably includes one based on a series of books I'd never heard of either, WondLa.

Teenager Eva lives in a bunker, cared for by a robot caretaker named M.U.T.H.R. When the bunker is suddenly attacked, she is forced into the world outside... to discover a strange planet inhabited by aliens. What has become of other humans, said to have been safe in other bunkers? What has happened to the planet? Can Eva find these answers, and her true destiny?

WondLa is based on a fantasy trilogy by Tony DiTerlizzi, and comes from a fairly new animation studio, Skydance. Apple TV+ gave the show a 2-season order right out of the gate, and the first of those seasons is now complete (and waiting on a cliffhanger until the next season). The show has many of the hallmarks of an American animated feature film: a plucky young protagonist, plenty of humor filling the spaces between more serious dramatic moments, and a vivid color palette for the visuals.

It has an even more colorful cast of characters. Just like Dorothy adventures through Oz with a distinctive trio, Eva's adventures in Orbona include the fussbudget M.U.T.H.R., the giant puppy-like tardigrade Otto (with whom Eva can communicate telepathically), and permanently cranky Rovender (who doesn't want to let on how much he's taking to Eva). The casting is as inspired as the visuals, with Teri Hatcher as M.U.T.H.R., Brad Garrett as Otto, and Gary Anthony Williams as Rovender.

Each of the seven episodes of the first season is about 20-minutes long -- a fast and easy watch. Yet I'm not entirely convinced that these almost bite-sized episodes are the ideal way to experience the story. If you skipped the various episode recaps and credits, you could stitch the entire season together into a "movie" running perhaps a little over two hours. And while this would be too long for a theatrically-released animated movie, it might be ideal for sitting at home on your couch and bingeing.

Or... that might be me trying to compensate for the fact that the story never quite got its hooks in me. I never felt like I had to know what was going to happen in the next episode of WondLa. But at the same time, I always enjoyed watching it. It looks amazing. The environments are the most stimulating I've seen in an animated movie since Strange World, the character design as creative and varied as the best Pixar movies, and the animation wonderfully detailed. WondLa is sometimes a meal for the mind, but always a feast for the eyes.

I'd give the first season of WondLa a B-. Depending on how long it takes for the second season to arrive, I can imagine myself coming back for that. Until then, it might be something for you to check out too.