Rating:
Summary: A decent enough entry into the Disney animation stables, but the script and, more importantly, the songs needed some more refinement.
Would it be better to have a wish that you know will never be fulfilled, or can you live your life more happily if you never had that wish at all? That's the central premise of Disney's "Wish", the 100-year anniversary animated release that aims to tell one of the first stories about the wishing star made most famous in the animated classic Pinnochio.
Everything you'd expect from a Disney animated musical film is here. The gorgeous animation, funny sidekicks, the too-good-to-be-true protagonist that turns out to be the main baddie, enjoyable musical sequences, a hint of betrayal, and of course, cute (and more importantly, marketable) characters. And the central premise, as mentioned at the start of this review, does merit some soul-searching for the more grown-up audiences of the film. It seems to have everything.
What separates "Wish" from the elite category of Disney animated films like "Frozen" and "Aladdin", is a bit of refinement. Whereas the latter had strong themes ("to not fear being different", "to be yourself") running throughout, the central theme of "Wish" felt like it was more of an afterthought, even though in my opinion, it's something more interesting to explore. Whereas the latter had songs that you'd be singing in your head for days (and years, if you have children of the right age), "Wish" had songs that, while enjoyable in the moment, are instantly forgettable. The lyrics were quite "clunky" too. The main story theme, and the musical themes, felt like early drafts, rather than finished products. A tighter script and a bit of musical refinement would have really helped this film.
Given the 100th anniversary of Disney, and the importance of the wishing star to the mouse company ("When You Wish Upon a Star" is, after all, the signature song of the company), the film does have some references and easter eggs thrown in for previous Disney releases. It could have done with a few more, and more meaningful call-backs to those classics, in my opinion, than just a throwaway joke here and there.
Still, given this film is primarily aimed at children, the primary audience is well-served by the film. "Wish" had an awkward late November/Thanksgiving release date in the US, but the Australian Boxing Day/post-Christmas/school holidays release window seems more appropriate, and the film might do well here.
It's a solid film that only fails, if you can use this word, due to Disney's high standards when it comes to animated films. Kids won't mind it, the adults will just wonder what might have been.
Watch "Wish" in Australian cinemas starting Boxing Day 2023. Streaming release date: TBA.
