Wish movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Wish movie review

The newest Disney animation is now playing in theaters to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary. It will then be featured on the Disney+ channel. They haven’t announced when, but it will probably be about 45 days, based on what they’ve done in the past.

RATING: PG (This is the 8th Disney movie to be rated PG)

LENGTH: 1 hour 35 minutes

Movie Review Mom Grade: C+

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wish will follow a young girl named Asha who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.

This movie is directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn and written by Jennifer Lee, Allison Moore, and Chris Buck.

The movie has been designed to be a celebratory film to honor 100 years of Disney magic. Parts of it are very sweet, but I WISH this movie was better. It’s not terrible, but it should have been amazing to honor the genius of Walt Disney.

THINGS I LIKED:

I love that Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose was selected to voice Asha. She does a great job, as expected. The name Asha means “hope” in the Hindi language. Hope is a strong theme in the film. She wants to be a “sorcerer’s apprentice”, just like Mickey Mouse did in the 1941 movie Fantasia. She wears a cloak that looks like the one worn by the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella and she has a similar stick that becomes her wand in the end. (OOOPS! Sorry about the spoiler!)
I adore Chris Pine. He also does a terrific job as King Magnifico. When it comes to musicals, he absolutely crushed his role in Into The Woods!
All of the other cast members gave good vocal performances, including Alan Tudyk, Victor Garber, Angelique Cabral, Natasha Rothwell, Harvey Guillen, Della Saba, Niko Vargas, Ramy Youssef, and more.
It’s clever to create a movie about wishes for Disney’s 100th anniversary since “Wish Upon a Star” has been a huge marketing theme for Disney for decades. Some are even calling this new Wish movie an origin story of sorts about fairy godmothers and wishing stars. I loved that.
I love that we have another musical to fall in love with.
I loved the king and queen’s royal outfits.
There is some humor, both spoken and visual.
Keep an eye out for the many Easter Eggs in the movie. For example, each of Asha’s 7 friends was designed to represent characteristics of the 7 dwarves from the movie Snow White.
Notice the nod to Mickey Mouse when the star tries to draw a Mickey Mouse head when it enters the King’s study. You’ll also see fireworks in the shape of Mickey’s ears above the castle towards the end of the movie.
Look for the images of Peter Pan and Mary Poppins when the king pops wishes in his cellar.
The energetic songs are powerful, although not super catchy. I don’t know if young children will be singing them for years like they did in Frozen.
The movie was dedicated to Burny Mattinson who recently passed away. He worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios for over 70 years.
Have you noticed that most of Disney’s villains’ evil power is represented by green light?
Watch the closing credits where you’ll see drawings of many of the animated Disney movies from the past 100 years.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

This movie feels like a mishmash of every other Disney movie we’ve ever seen. Is it a clever and respectful nod to the past or lazy writing?
None of the characters look original. They all look exactly like every other character we’ve seen before. For example, Asha looks like a blend of Moana, and Rapunzel. Her personality is a combination of Anna from Frozen and Moana. Don’t get me wrong…I love all of those girls! But how about a fresh face and personality, Disney?
Woke Disney has made sure to include lots of strong women, diversity, and evil white men.
The animation isn’t nearly as detailed or impressive as what we’ve become accustomed to. It really looks like an homage to the older style of animation.
Is Disney teaching children to throw a revolution against the government?
Another female empowerment movie where all of the men are either buffoons or evil. Let’s move on, Disney.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

People and creatures are in dangerous situations
Fighting
Rebellion
No profanity. Thank you!
Overall, the movie is very family-friendly.

THEMES:

Wishes that drive your heart and make you who you are
Caring for others
Talk of taking action on your dreams
Safety and protection
Power
Hope

FUNNY LINES:

“I’m so nervous. I think I’m going to explode.” – Asha (Ariana DeBose)
“Is my mouth drooping? I feel like it’s drooping.” – Asha (Ariana DeBose)

INTERESTING LINES

“The stars are there to guide us, to inspire us, to remind us to believe in possibility.” – Asha quoting her father
“No one should ever have to see their dreams destroyed before their eyes.” – King Magnifico (Chris Pine)
“People think wishes are just ideas, but no, no. They are a part of your heart, the very best part.” – King (Chris Pine)
“I decide what everyone deserves.” – King (Chris Pine)
“When you are threatened, you do not breathe; you focus.” – King (Chris Pine)
“Through the heart, we understand the world.” – Simon (Evan Peters)
“Imagine a place where wishes come true. Where your heart’s desire can become a reality. What if I told you that place is within reach? All you have to do is give your wish… to me.” – King Magnifico (Chris Pine)
“Life is to be lived!” – Valentino (Alan Tudyk)