Film review ‘WISH’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’
Wish, which has been released as part of Disney studios 100th birthday is a cute, occasionally charming but underwhelming animated musical fantasy that attempts to pay homage to Disney classics.
Like many Disney and other animated features of the last few years, it’s about a feisty but uncertain young woman empowering herself through a fight with a nasty authority figure. Asha (Ariana DeBose) is a likeable 17-year-old living in the seemingly idyllic island kingdom of Rosas. Parallels between America and Rosas are made clear in a prologue depicting the nation’s history as a haven for immigration and diversity. Asha has just been given the honour of trying out for the role of apprentice to the seemingly benevolent wizard king Magnifico (Chris Pyne). The job interview doesn’t go as planned, though, as Magnifico reveals himself to be a vain, suspicious and sneaky character. In an unusual version of the social contract, Rosas citizens have entrusted their greatest wishes to Magnifico who keeps them in floating crystal balls having agreed to grant one each year. Asha discovers, however, that Magnifico has no intention of honouring all the citizens’ wishes, especially if they even hint at challenging his power. Desperate to bring her ageing grandad’s wish to life, Asha summons the power of a magic star to assist her. This, however, makes Asha and her family targets for the paranoid Magnifico.
There’s even a bit more going on in what turns out to be an oddly convoluted plot for a children’s fantasy film. Despite this, the film at times feels as if it isn’t going anywhere and seems to be spinning its wheels.
Also, for such a renowned animation house as Disney, the film’s look isn’t as ravishing to the eyeball as we might expect. Some scenes are inventive and spectacular but others are a bit flat. The animation of humans is particularly disappointing, they have neither the vivid realism and detail of something like top drawer Pixar films nor the expressive character of classic Disney; the animation of people mostly looks like CGI from 20 years ago.
This is a musical as well as a fantasy although it’s not too overloaded with songs. Fortunately, the songs, while not exceptional, aren’t too bad with some, mercifully, diverging from the monotonous power ballad formula of so many animated musicals and providing at least a few different textures and rhythms.
The film attempts to connect with Disney classics like Pinocchio and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves but lacks their magic and originality and some of the references to the past feel like throwaway gags. It also doesn’t contain instantly memorable characters although a few of the cute critters will no doubt become popular merchandise. Most of the cast, however, provide impressive voice work, especially Ariana De Bose as our heroin and Chris Pyne as the posturing, pointy-bearded Magnifico.
Wish is mostly child friendly with only a couple of dark magic scenes that might briefly frighten the young’uns. It’s tolerable for adults and hints at some bigger ideas: Magnifico’s unmasking as a duplicitous and creepy ruler seemed to be leading to some sort of political subtext but this is not developed beyond a generic depiction of cartoon villainy.
This is an occasionally enjoyable animated fantasy but with a slightly messy plot and lack of knockout set piece scenes it doesn’t have the indelible magic of Disney films from the past.
Nick’s rating: **1/2
Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Action/ Adventure.
Classification: PG.
Director(s): Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Release date: 26th Dec 2023.
Running time: 95 mins.
Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.