Directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, Wish takes place in the Kingdom of Rosas and follows a 17-year-old girl named Asha (Ariana DeBose) who senses a darkness that no one else does about the kingdom’s ruler, King Magnifico (Chris Pine). This eventually leads to her making a passionate plea to the stars in a moment of need. Soon, an actual star from the sky named Star answers Asha’s wish. After the star falls from the sky, it is revealed that the star has magical powers to grant wishes as well. Together, Asha and Star must overcome the evil rising in Rosas and fight for a better future for their people.
This has been one of my most anticipated animated films from Disney in a really long time, mainly because it was an original film and not another bloody sequel or remake. Unlike some of the other modern animated films we have had from Disney films in recent years, this looked and felt more like the fairy tale classics I grew up loving so I was excited to see what this film had to offer, especially given that it marks the 100th anniversary of Disney.
After getting the chance to see it at an early screening I can say that Wish is not only one of the best original animated Disney films I have seen in a while, but it is also a film that truly felt the closest to capturing the charm and passion of the classic fairy tale Disney films. While it is clear this film is mostly targeted at younger audiences, I couldn’t help but love so much about it, and it really did make me feel like a kid again while watching it. It serves as both a story of its own as well as a celebration of fairy tale Disney stories, not feeling as modern or commercial as some other Disney animated films have felt in recent years.
The film’s story is simple as are the themes interwoven in it. It certainly contains elements of nostalgia, but it also felt refreshing and original with the directions it takes and with just how beautifully crafted the film is as a whole.
I have to start by giving massive praise to the animation, a hybrid of 2D and 3D animation but leaning more heavily into 2D, as well as adopting an artistic style that I can best describe as looking like a watercolor painting. This film is visually stunning in every frame, using a variety of specific colors that give it a distinct visual style that stands out from the rest. The magic that is put on display looks visually gorgeous and the kingdom of Rosas feels like its own character, with its beautiful landscapes and buildings that make it feel like a truly fairytale-like world you would read about in a book, which funnily enough is how the film starts off: with the opening of a book.
The cinematography oozes with beauty and stunning quality that just felt so different and distinct in style compared to others. With some previous Disney films like Frozen, Moana, and Encanto I always felt that even though the stories and settings were different from each other the animation styles felt the same. Wish feels very much like its own thing.
When it comes to the voice cast everyone does a fantastic job bringing their colorful characters to life, with none of them ever sticking out like a sore thumb in the slightest. Asha, voiced beautifully by Ariana DeBose, is a very energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate lead character who cares so deeply for her family, friends, and community that she is willing to do anything for them. While she has her own various faults it is clear that she is a very selfless individual with a great heart that wants to do the right thing, even if it means going up against great odds.
DeBose delivers such a powerful emotional performance as this character and makes you feel so engaged in the journey she goes on, which puts her on a path to a very surprising outcome. Also, DeBose’s singing is absolutely flawless in this entire film.
Opposite of her is the film’s villain, King Magnifico, who is essentially the direct antithesis of Asha and one who is given a delightfully fun performance by Chris Pine. I can happily say that Disney has finally dropped the annoying twist villain trope for once and has delivered a charismatic and memorable Disney villain for the first time in recent years. While he is shown to be evil from the get-go the film does actually give us a background on him that makes us understand what drives his malicious motives.
It is implied that Magnifico initially had pure intentions with wanting to grant the wishes of the people through magic, based on things that happened in his past, essentially wanting to be a beacon of hope for the people. But it is made clear that all those years of granting wishes, obtaining so much power, and creating such a large kingdom surrounded by people who adore him has resulted in him gaining a god complex, to the point where he feels that he is the only one that can decide what is best for his people in terms of their desires, and is threatened by anyone or anything that he perceives would take away everything he had built for himself.
This obsession with power drives him to take on a darker and more unhinged path as the film progresses, resulting in a villain that truly is one nasty, selfish, and manipulative foe that is perfect for our lead hero to take on. Chris Pine really commits to this role, giving this villain so much charm, ego, and finesse that really takes the spotlight and reminds me very much of some of the classic Disney villains of the past in the best ways possible. Also for the second time this year, Chris Pine gets to show off his singing chops with two songs, both of which I felt he performed magnificently. He is insanely talented and I feel people just don’t give him enough credit for it.
The supporting voice cast of the film is really fun all around, adding both humor and heart to this vibrant world we are in, though admittedly the most hilarious voice among them is Alan Tudyk as Valentino the goat. Alan Tudyk is always such a national treasure no matter what he is in and here was no exception with the humorously deep voice he gives for this animal sidekick.
Speaking of sidekicks we get another one in the form of the living star simply named Star who doesn’t speak through the entire film but is absolutely adorable with his various emotional expressions.
This film has many great moments of adventure, wonder, humor, and even strong emotional moments that really work and I very much enjoyed it as a lot of it is reminiscent of the classic fairy tale Disney films, both in narrative and style, which I think many people have been missing for years. However, I will say the film is clearly aimed more towards kids and families in certain places, meaning that it may not be for everyone. For instance, some of the lessons and themes this film teaches are pretty basic to follow and not all that subtle, but at the same time it never really feels like it is bashing you over the head with it. I will also say while some of the jokes did land with me others were just ok but I know kids will probably like them. Plus there have been worse jokes I have heard in other family films.
Another one of the strongest elements this film has going for it is the music in terms of score and songs, which are by far some of the most memorable songs I have listened to in a Disney film that didn’t feel like they were trying to be commercial hits. The songs felt natural and felt like a part of the narrative rather than gratuitously forced in like some past Disney songs. They are all performed beautifully and they end up elevating a lot of major scenes in this film. Some of my favorites include This Wish, This is the Thanks I Get, and Knowing What I Know Now.
While Wish is not a groundbreaking Disney film by any means it is a passionately made film that is a reminder that Disney is very capable of delivering simple yet effective original films for new generations to grow up with and for current generations to adore. People should definitely give this film a shot once it arrives in theaters everywhere next week. I am going to give Wish an A = 96.
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