Summary
Review of Disney's Wish
When Disney announced Wish in 2022, fans were thrilled as it appeared they were returning to their roots with a traditional princess, an iconic villain, and a blended 2D and 3D art style. However, it is nothing more than an empty shell, wrapped in Disney’s typical messaging.
Released in cinemas on the 24th of November, Wish is an animated fantasy musical, produced by Walt Disney and directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Set in the fantastical Kingdom of Rosas, Wish follows the plucky and determined Asha (Ariana DeBose), as she uncovers the dark side of the seemingly benevolent King Magnifico (Chris Pine). He steals the wishes of his people, under the guise of protecting them as he is consumed by a need for compete control. With the help of her talking pet goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk) and Star, a personified wishing star, Asha must try and convince her friends and family of King Magnifico’s true nature and return everyone’s wishes.
Wish had all the makings of a new Disney classic but it failed in its execution. Its short runtime of only 95 minutes doesn’t allow for deeper character and plot development. The admiration Asha has for King Magnifico takes a 180-degree turn to suspicion, sucking out all the potential buildup and tension from the reveal.
Wish Details
Asha as a character feels under-developed. She contains all the traits of fan favourite protagonists; she is optimistic, a little quirky, and cares a lot for the people around her, but that’s it. There is nothing else which makes her stand out. No spark or personal drive, and we only scratch the surface of her background, which loosely ties into the film’s confusing message.
Like Asha, the side characters are just as neglected. They are parodies of Snow White’s seven dwarfs and all equally forgettable. King Magnifico is the standout in terms of characters, yet he still fails to match the energy of Disney’s most iconic villains. His actions, motivations, and gradual descent from an arrogant and narcissistic ruler to evil sorcerer are executed well. But the rest of the film holds him back from being a truly great antagonist.
Ultimately, Wish doesn’t feel like a genuine Disney film. Instead, it appears as nothing more than fan-service and is a disappointment for the studio’s 100-year anniversary. They attempt to call back to their classic films but don’t do anything new with those themes and ideas. The central concept of wishing upon a star is repeated throughout the film but results in a muddled final message which answers none of the audiences’ questions.
Fans had high hopes for Wish, however, with its half-baked plot, under-developed characters, and lack of originality, it appears we will be wishing for Disney’s return to form a little while longer.
Featured Image: Walt Disney
