Disney has been around for 100 years making movies and magic-filled moments, bringing wonder and excitement to people of all ages. One of the taglines for their latest film, “Wish,” is it’s been “A Century in the Making.” They’re not wrong, but the movie’s paper-thin storyline and mediocre soundtrack may keep it from realizing its lofty ambition of becoming the next Disney classic.
“Wish” features the voices of Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine and is set in the Kingdom of Rosas in the Mediterranean. DeBose voices Asha who wishes upon a star (one of many not-so-subtle references Disney makes to its own product) when she learns that a great evil might be approaching the kingdom.
Pine is the voice of King Magnifico, the ruler of Rosas, who has the power to grant any wish (no pun intended), but he sees Asha’s wish as one that could be a potential threat to his rule.
Asha gets her wish, to some extent, when a light comes down from the sky in the form of a star she names, well, Star. Star has the ability to make animals talk, including Asha’s pet goat (Alan Tudyk).
The movie has some mildly amusing sequences, including a group of chickens who can talk and lay eggs, but other scenes are much more formulaic, as in the climax where Asha learns Magnifico has kept a lot of the kingdom’s wishes for himself and refuses to give them back. 10 points if you can guess where this plot thread leads to.
If there was ever a movie that seemed like a vanity project, it’s “Wish.” This movie is a regurgitation of Disney’s greatest animated hits. References from Cinderella to Peter Pan to Mary Poppins are thrown in without a hint of subtlety, and even the closing credits showcase virtually every Disney character to the point where some audiences might get a headache.
Don’t get me wrong; “Wish” is visually impressive, and the title track of the same name will probably end up being sung and replayed as much as “Let It Go.” However, other songs in this film are unnecessary, as in Pine’s “This Is How You Thank Me,” which is so cheesy it belongs on a pizza.
“Wish” will no doubt fulfill what its target audience demands, but I wish Disney had come up with a more engaging story for its centennial.
Better luck next time, Disney. Better luck next time.
Grade: B-
(Rated PG for thematic elements and mild action.)
