Wish: Don't Wish Upon this Star


I truly wished (pun intended) that this review would be longer. Part of me was hopeful with the Walt Disney Company celebrating 100 years that Wish would be a quality animated film like so many entries from the past. This review would be longer if I named all the excellent animated Disney movies, but you probably know them as well as I do even if you're not the biggest Disney fan. That's the kind of pop culture impact Disney animation used to have. Unfortunately, I don't see Wish being a film that kids will watch over and over and one day pass along to their kids.

The marketing for Wish made it quite clear that the movie was made for a 100-year celebration. There are many references to classic Disney films. Nostalgia and callbacks do not mean a movie is good of course. I'll quickly mention a few things that work in Wish. A couple of the songs you'll want to listen to again afterward. Alan Tudyk is quite funny in the role of Valentino. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for small, cute characters who don't speak (like Baby Yoda/Grogu and Baby Groot) so Star is a highlight in Wish. Aside from these aspects, Wish is a pretty forgettable movie experience. Nothing really stands out from a visual or storytelling perspective. The cynic in me sees this movie as a reflection of reality when it comes to Disney and Disney fans. Fans of the company wish for new films to be great, but Disney just can't or won't grant this wish.

I've taken up enough time talking about Wish. If you're interested in watching a Disney movie you will find plenty of great options on Disney+. Want a worthwhile celebration of 100 years of Disney? Check out the Disney+ special Once Upon A Studio. That special actually feels special, unlike Wish.


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