Who could ever forget Disney’s classic animated film Pinocchio and the song that opened the fairy tale, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” sung by Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket? The 1940 animated film is true Disney cinematic magic. That is not the case, however, with Disney’s latest animated film Wish which pays tribute to classic Disney films, including Peter Pan, Bambi, and of course the aforementioned Pinocchio, but pales in comparison.
Wish is a fairy tale lacking engaging characters, memorable songs, and any sense of true magic.
The soulless film opens with a voice-over by Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose), a 17-year-old native who belts out the song “Welcome to Rosas” which serves to explain the legend of the island (called Rosas). After the loud, energetic number, Asha is off to interview for the position of assistant to the leader of the island, King Magnifico (voiced by Chris Pine), a self-taught sorcerer who has the ability to grant wishes.
At first, the interview goes well as Asha and Magnifico discover they have something in common, having each lost loved ones in the past. But when Asha questions why the King keeps all the wishes locked up as floating blue orbs in his castle tower, and why he waits until his citizens turn 18 to possibly grant their wish, he explodes with anger. King Magnifico hates being challenged and needless to say, Asha doesn’t get the job.
Later that night at the wish granting gala, Magnifico proves he’s a jerk by skipping granting Asha’s grandfather’s wish. The grandfather just turned 100 and Asha wanted his wish to be granted as his birthday present. But Magnifico lets her know in no uncertain terms none of her family’s wishes will ever be granted. Ever.
Upset, Asha runs off, looks up at the star-filled sky, and sings “This Wish,” a song about her wanting more for herself and her family. The fates, or maybe the Blue Fairy doing a flyby, send a small celestial creature down to Asha that answers to the name Star – and looks like one. It seems Star has his own magic, demonstrating this to Asha by giving her goat, Valentino (Alan Tudyk), a voice. Other animals in the nearby forest are also granted voices.
Knowing that she’s right about King Magnifico abusing his authority, Asha sets out with Star and Valentino to free everyone’s wishes from Magnifico’s control and give them back to the people of Rosas.
Uninspired and bland, Wish is a pale entry in Disney’s collection of animated fare, with one-dimensional characters, forgettable songs, and no sense of emotion. It’s a charmless animated film that doesn’t even feel or resemble the studio’s other theatrical releases.
The only character that actually displays some emotion and personality is the villain of the film, King Magnifico, wonderfully voiced by Chris Pine. Pine switches back and forth between the charismatic leader and angry overbearing tyrant smoothly and with bravado. Sadly, this isn’t enough to make Wish worth enduring.
GRADE: C-
MPAA Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Mild Action)
Release Date: November 22, 2023
Running Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Directed By: Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn
