Wish (2023)

Wish is an attempt at combining the biggest motif of Disney’s biggest hits into one new and original movie for its 100th anniversary—a film that focuses on wishes coming true. However, it falls exceedingly short of being interesting or even fun—an unfortunate pattern that many recent Disney films have followed as of recently.

The film opens with a brief history on the kingdom of Rosas—being founded by King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and his wife Queen Amaya (Angelique Cabral) with the idea that anybody could immigrate to in hopes of fulfilling their biggest wish. The catch was that they would give it up, forgetting it entirely so Magnifico could seal it away and keep it safe. Every month, Magnifico would hold a ceremony known as the wish ceremony, in which he would choose someone’s wish and grant it to them.

Enter Asha (Ariana DeBose) years later, the main character of Wish. She’s getting ready for her interview with Magnifico to potentially become his new apprentice. It just so happens that this day is also the day of the wish ceremony and her grandfather Sabino’s 100th birthday—and Sabino, as it turns out, has not had his wish granted yet. Asha’s interview starts off a bit of a disaster, but after a brief heart-to-heart Magnifico and Asha find that they have similar reasons for wanting to protect and care for the kingdom. Magnifico decides to show Asha his study, which is where he keeps all of his subjects’ wishes—and Asha takes the opportunity to ask Magnifico about her grandfather’s wish. He takes a look at it before deciding that Sabino’s wish is entirely too vague, and therefore too dangerous. This upsets Asha, arguing that wishes that Magnifico wasn’t ever going to grant should be returned to the person it belonged to—which in turn angers Magnifico. At the wish ceremony, he taunts Asha indirectly before choosing someone entirely different—before telling her afterwards that not only did she not get the apprentice position but that her mother would never receive her wish either.

Wish is a 2023 Disney animated film that brings cosmic forces into our world. This article will discuss elements of the film.

Viewers are presented with a robust portrayal of biracial characters, with Asha, the central character voiced by Ariana DeBose, embodying the essence of a multi-racial woman. The film can be aptly described as follows: Asha makes a wish so potent that it elicits a response from a cosmic force known as Star—a small, radiant orb of boundless energy. Star assumes a pivotal role in "Wish," as it pays homage to the timeless Disney classic, "Wish Upon A Star." With its luminous appearance, Star is a brilliant, yellow-glowing star, carrying magical wishing dust that infuses the movie with vibrant energy.

The film unfolds under the cover of night, a deliberate choice, as it is during this time that the stars grace the sky with their radiant presence. The nighttime setting serves as a symbol of the brilliant celestial canvas, teeming with glowing stars, underscoring the central themes and motifs of "Wish." When Star works its magical wonders, the once-dark night sky transforms into a mesmerizing shade of yellow, courtesy of its enchanting wishing dust.

Valentino, brought to life by Alan Tudyk's voice, is Asha's faithful pet goat. Following an encounter with the magical dust, he undergoes a transformation, gaining the remarkable ability to express himself in coherent sentences. He also serves as a supporting companion through Asha's quest.

All of the songs on the soundtrack related to wishing on stars, as the word "Wish" is seen in many song titles. King Magnifico is a hidden antagonist because he is the ruler of the Kingdom of Rosas due to granting lots of wishes, but in reality, he is a greedy man who only wants to gain power. Queen Amaya, a supporting character, is not afraid to share her opinions with King Magnifico, which symbolizes feminism.

The movie "Wish" is a combination of traditional watercolor and computer animation to make the animation style more exciting to viewers and to emphasize the characterization of all multiracial characters. Furthermore, the appearance of the Kingdom of Rosas resembles an oil painting background seen in other traditional animated movies.

Asha and Star have a magical time that is sure to delight viewers. This film consists of a blend of cultures.