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.
I was somewhat hesitant as I sat down to watch “Wish.” Like so many people, I grew up on classic Disney films, but in recent years, they have adopted political and sexual ideologies that many people have opposed, stating that the company should focus on telling good stories. I wholeheartedly agree, but that doesn’t just mean Disney; it’s aimed at all the major Hollywood studios who should sit up and take notice and listen to the paying customers when they say they want to be entertained, hidden agendas be damned.
Thankfully, “Wish” is cut from the same cloth as some of its classic predecessors; “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Cinderella.” “Wish” is animated filmmaking at its best: a simple and straightforward narrative, a heroine, a villain, some terrific musical numbers and supporting characters, and a Happily Ever After. It almost felt as if Walt Disney himself rose from the dead and showed Disney how a classic should be made.
We are introduced to 17-year-old Asha (Ariana DeBose), who lives in the kingdom of Rosas, founded by King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and his wife, Queen Amaya (Angelique Cabral). Having studied magic and sorcery all his life, King Magnifico protects the kingdom. When each citizen turns 18, he takes their wish and tucks it safely away in his observatory in his castle, and every month, he selects one person and grants their wish.
When Asha interviews with Magnifico for the job as his apprentice, he is immediately taken with her, but after she asks if he might consider granting her grandfather Sabino’s (Victor Garber) wish as he has just turned 100, he informs her that she will not be chosen as his apprentice. Dejected, she leaves, and wishes upon a star later that evening. The star manifests itself and comes to her, and she quickly learns that there is another side to Magnifico: a dark side, an evil side. With Star’s help, she ascertains that Magnifico erases every citizen’s memory of their wish after they offer it to him so he can keep them compliant and free of dreams and goals, thus becoming dependent on him.
Along with Star’s help and that of her best friends Dahlia (Jennifer Kumiyama), Gabo (Harvey Guillén), Hal (Niko Vargas), Simon (Evan Peters), Safi (Ramy Youssef), Dario (Jon Rudnitsky), Bazeema (Della Saba), and her pet goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk), they band together to try and stop Magnifico as he has turned to dark magic. As his powers grow exponentially and he appears indestructible, Asha has a moment of sudden enlightenment and faces off against him in front of everyone, hoping to defeat him and free the kingdom of Rosas from his tyrannical rule.
“Wish” is clear-cut and unambiguous, with no ulterior motives, just good old-fashioned storytelling. The voice cast is magnificent, as are the music and animation, utilizing hand-drawn aesthetics that were used to make Disney’s earlier classics, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Pinocchio,” with a dash of magical CGI. I am not a fan of live-action musicals, but as far as animated films go, this has to be one of Disney’s best in years. Everything about “Wish” is phenomenal; it’s as if the filmmaking gods came together, oversaw every step of production, and sent it on its way with their stamp of approval, along with this critic’s endorsement.
Disney has not done well at the box office recently, including Marvel and Pixar, but I’m hoping they will promote “Wish” rigorously, especially as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday because this movie deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. While the film’s target audience is young children, it will appeal to everybody, young and old. It reminds us of the irreplaceability of family and friends and how important it is to have a dream and never stop wishing, even when you grow up.
Now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD March 12th
