“Wonder” was a 2017 adaptation of a YA novel by R.J. Palacio. The feature was modestly budgeted and promoted, but it found an audience, turning it into one of the biggest hits of the year. It was a story about the pains of bullying and the power of kindness, created for younger viewers who could use reminders of positive behavior in a harsh world. The film moved on to healthy returns on home video, and remains in circulation with school screenings, keeping its core message alive. Palacio set out to create a “WonderVerse” of sorts, offering additional books for the brand name, including a prequel/sequel in “White Bird,” which returns to Julian as he endures more harsh lessons on the power of compassion. Director Marc Forster looks to tap into the “Wonder” world with a cinematic interpretation of “White Bird” (which was shot three years ago), but there’s a darker path of doom with this World War II tale. While the screenplay (by Mark Bomback) accepts certain realities concerning European conflict, the material is also out to be uplifting in a way, creating two sides to the endeavor that rarely gel. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com