About the film (courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios):
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.
Wish, the latest animated feature film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, is a delightful and heartwarming fairy tale that celebrates the power of dreams and the importance of family. Set in the magical kingdom of Rosas, the film follows Asha, a sharp-witted and determined young woman who aspires to make her grandfather’s wish finally come true on his 100th birthday. When she makes a wish upon a star to help her community, her wish is granted in a most unexpected way – a mischievous star named Star falls to earth and chaos ensues.
Asha and Star are forced to work together to save Rosas from the trouble that Star has caused. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and the importance of believing in yourself. The film’s message of self-acceptance and believing in one’s dreams is universal and will resonate with audiences of all ages.
The animation in Wish is different and eye-catching. The film’s use of color is particularly impressive, and the characters are beautifully designed. I chose the word “different” because the the characters seem a bit more flat. Not good, not bad, but different and it reminds me in a small fashion of Sony did with their Spider-Verse films, just a lot more subtle.
The film’s score, composed by Alan Menken, is also a highlight. The songs are catchy and memorable, and they perfectly capture the film’s emotional tone. There’s a lot of fun to be had from this standpoint. After a couple of views, you’ll find yourself singing right along with the film.
The voice cast in Wish is also top-notch. Ariana DeBose is excellent as Asha, bringing a sense of warmth and humor to the role. Chris Pine is also great as Magnifico, capturing the character’s charming, but also deceptively driven nature. The supporting cast, including Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Harvey Guillén, Evan Peters, and Ramy Youssef, is also strong.
Wish is a delightful and heartwarming fairy tale that will appeal to audiences of all ages. The film’s message of self-acceptance and believing in one’s dreams is universal, and the animation is stunning and eye-catching. The voice cast is also top-notch, and the film’s score is a highlight.
Wish is simple, in concept, yet very effective 90 minute joyride of song, dance, magic and hope. You can see one of the better animated Disney films in recent years, only in theaters starting Wednesday, November 22nd.
