Watch TrailerWish Movie Review: Growing up, Disney played an important role in planning my weekends. I vividly remember asking my parents to allocate some television time for me so that I don’t miss the Disney Hour or Duck Tales. I enjoyed my share of Princess-themed films as well. These included Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When I walked out of the screening of Wish, I was instantly reminded of those days. Wish isn’t a great film, it is not even one of Disney’s best works but it has a sprinkle of nostalgia that makes it a decent one time watch.
An animated musical film, Wish revolves around a young adult named Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) who lives in a fictional place named Rosas. The small town boasts of a sea side, a forest full of animals and a handsome king named King Magnifico (voiced by Chris Pine) who has the power to grant one wish a month. However, when Asha gets a star named ‘Wish’ in her hand, the movie takes a dark turn, leading to the King going rogue and Asha turning into a saviour.
Running less than two hours of screen time, Wish is purely for children. The film, directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn uses all the troupes in Disney’s books to recreate some age-old formulas and put together a ‘magical’ film. Like most popular Disney movies over the years, the film features singing animals, a handsome King/Prince, a troubled village/town and a princess that changes it all.
Given the overly basic plotline, Wish is a forgettable film in the bigger scheme of Disney’s timeline. It feels like it is made just to commemorate their own 100 years on the screen than cater to a wide-reach of audience. This comes as a disappointment, especially after they have upgraded their styles and narrations with films like Brave, Frozen and Moana. However, for those who have seen and loved Disney over the years, Wish feels like a travel back in time for those two hours.
Disney packs in the nostalgia not only with the help of their trademark troupes but also includes mentions of their iconic characters. If you keep a close eye, you’ll spot a nod to Cinderalla’s Fairy Godmother, Bambi and more. Speaking about the performances, Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine as Asha and the King fit perfectly for the role. Ariana’s soothing voice also elevates the performance. The song I’m a Star, by her and the other cast members of Wish, stands out both the times it is sung in the movie.
The star of the film, for me, was Alan Tudyk as Valentino, a speaking goat. He got all the best punchlines of the film and what fun it was to watch his character play out on the screen.
Should you watch Wish? If you have kids or have enjoyed Disney’s animated films over the years, I’d say give Wish a shot. It is crisp and time will fly like it does when you watch an episode or two of a series. If not, this might not cater to everyone’s taste.
