Disney has another holiday success in Wish, an animated musical that should appeal to adults as much as children.
The Kingdom of Rosas is ruled by King Magnifico (Chris Pine) who has the power to grant anyone’s wish during a ceremony. Everyone wants their wish to come true including Asha (Ariana DeBose) who loves her family and respects their wishes. When she tries to become Magnifico’s apprentice to gain favor for her family, he secretly has a different agenda to keep all the people’s wishes for himself and then uses a book of forbidden, dark magic to gain more power (like the Darkhold in Marvel films). Saddened, Asha’s desperate wish to the sky brings down a star entity who possesses magical powers to help her. Can Asha’s friends prevent the increasingly powerful Magnifico? The fate of Rosas’ citizens hangs in the balance.
The film’s main theme centering on wish fulfillment is a high concept and an emotional journey that seems more suited for older kids. The plot follows the usual Disney formula of a youthful protagonist who helps her family against evil. Asha is a fully developed character who has her yearnings but is unselfishly devoted to her family, whereas Magnifico is essentially one dimensional and whose motives are his own aggrandizement.
There
are nice touches with an adorable, pet
goat named Valentino whose wish to speak is granted and (with other talking
animals and plants) provides some comic relief.
The animation is imaginative, and there are nice musical sequences
especially one involving an energetic group of chickens.
At a brisk 95 minutes, it’s a simple
tale with a sweet message about the
triumph of spirit and love against dire odds. (The end credits contain a constellation of
images for Disney fans.)
**** of ***** stars
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