Review: “Disney’s Wish”
In commemoration of its 100th Anniversary, the Walt Disney Company released their latest animated movie-musical, Wish, on November 22nd, 2023. Here’s my review:
Asha lives with her mother, Sakina and her grandfather, Sabino, in the fictional kingdom of Rosas, an island in Mediterranean Sea, ruled by King Magnifico. Sabino’s lifelong wish is to be the kingdom’s Official Musician. Asha, with the help of her pet “talking” goat Valentino, is determined to see that wish granted as a present for his 100th birthday. When she discovers, however, that Magnifico has possessed “all the wishes” and the kingdom and refused to grant them, Asha finds herself going on an adventure to save the kingdom and ultimately grant their wishes.
Disney’s Wish (2023) was released posthumously after the passing of the late-great Burny Mattinson, who worked as a storyboard artist on the movie. Mattinson was originally employed by the Walt Disney Company in 1953, making his very first contribution on Lady and the Tramp (1955), as an inbetweener Artist. He remained with Disney for the next seven decades of his life, contributing a wide variety of contributions. (Mattinson directed Mickey’s Christmas Carol, released in 1983, earning a Best Animated Short Film Oscar Nomination.) There is a tribute to him in the film’s end credits.
As a production, “Wish” uses beautiful CGI animations with breathtaking watercolor backdrop paintings. It also includes wonderful songs written by Benjamin Rice and Julia Michaels (who made her movie-musical writing debut writing songs for this movie. And of course it provides the excellent animation and music we expect from Disney. It also features a top notch voice cast.
Oscar-Winner Ariana Debose is the voice of Asha, Emmy-Nominee Chris Pine is King Magnifico, Four-Time-Tony-Nominee Victor Garber voices Sabino, and Emmy-Nominee Alan Tudyk as Valentino. The film’s screenplay was co-written by Jennifer Lee (Head of Disney Animation and Oscar-Winning Producer of Frozen (2013)) and Allison Moore who makes her Disney-writing debut. Chris Buck (who produced and also directed “Frozen”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn share directing credits in the movie. Veerasunthorn previously worked as a story artist on Disney’s Moana (2016) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), the sequel to Wreck-It Ralph (2012). She also was Head of Story on Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)).
Wish is an inspiring story about finding the courage and the confidence and whatever else it takes to pursue your own life’s wishes and being in control of your own future. In other words you are the person you need to chase your dreams—don’t rely on others to grant your wishes.
“Wish,” is worth of every Disney fans viewing because although it is not quite the game-changer that “Frozen” was, fans can also catch clever “Easter eggs” from other Disney movies within the story. Walt Disney himself was quoted as having said “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” and this film is about finding that courage and maintaining it within yourself which no one should ever be afraid to do.
