This week Disney’s latest animated adventure is hitting screens – Wish. The tale of Asha who lives in a kingdom that is controlled by a powerful King who protects their wishes and makes sure everyone has the perfect life. But of course, nothing is as simple as it seems. When Asha’s grandfather Sabino turns 100, she hopes that his wish is finally granted to him, and on an interview to be the King’s assistant – she asks for just that.
The movie seems to be animated in a bit of a mixture of styles that multiple generations can appreciate. It is, of course mostly rendered and animated in 3-D but the background, set and so many elements feel like they were done in a line drawing that many older Disney fans grew up with. There seems to be a balance between the old and new in the animation style, and it seems to be playing well with elements of both in the same scene.
The animation style and feeling of the movie overall will take viewers back to Disney’s golden age movies of the 90s. But that isn’t the only nod to older Disney or the Disney 100 celebration going on this year. It really seems that Wish was created just to showcase the characters, themes, and the love of adventure that the last 100 years of animation have given audiences. Throughout the movie, you’ll see references and even characters including Bambi, Peter Pan, Wendy, and a lot more. Even the end credits are filled with references to the characters we have known and loved through the last century.
But not every reference is as obvious as you would expect. Asha has a group of friends who are devoted and help her throughout the adventure – seven of them. And while it may not be obvious at first, you’ll quickly find that her friends all have the personalities of the Seven Dwarves. They may not be as hit you in your face as the actual character appearances, the nod to the character’s in the past is appreciated and a nice way to remember the characters and stories we love.
Filled with music, laughs, talking goats, and a lot of stardust – Wish is everything that Disney fans are going to be looking for, and a magical getaway for viewers of all ages. It has a great message of believing in yourself and protecting those you love. It will quickly become one of your favorite animated Disney movies.
Wish will be in theaters later this week and is the perfect family fun film for all ages. Not only will kids love the new adventure, but parents will love the nods to the animated classic movies they grew up with. Even the animation style is a bit blended between more modern animations and the ones from the 90s and earlier.
Overall Rating
About Wish
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino.
