The animated, centenary effort “Wish” might be one of the most self-referential films from Disney. This is the company that has asked fans to “wish upon a star” ever since “Pinocchio” (1940). Directed by Chris Buck of “Frozen” and Fawn Veerasunthorn, making her debut, and written by Jennifer Lee (“Frozen”) and Allison Moore, “Wish” is set in the mythical kingdom of Rosas, a vaguely Latin place in the Mediterranean Sea, where the inhabitants literally give their wishes to their leader Magnifico (Chris Pine), a rather obviously evil sorcerer, who stores the stolen wishes in bubbles in the ceiling of his tower, where his study and laboratory are situated.
When they give up their wishes, the inhabitants forget what they were and feel an emptiness they can never fill. The strong-willed, rebellious 17-year-old girl named Asha (Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose), who is about to celebrate her grandfather’s 100th birthday, is given a chance to become Magnifico’s apprentice. Asha blows the chance by challenging Magnifico and telling him that the wishes are not rightfully his property. Asha is Disney heroine 101: She can sing and dance, and she yearns to fight for what is right, no matter the consequences. Her challenge to Magnifico enrages the vain and paranoid ruler and makes him steal wishes to make himself stronger and use a book of “forbidden magic” to turn himself into a monstrous dictator. Did you get all that?
The songs, which were composed by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, both veterans of “A Star Is Born,” take their cues from catchphrases such as, wait for it, “you’re a star,” and “knowing what we know now,” and sound very much like songs from “Frozen.” To say that “Wish” is a little “star-crazy” is to state the obvious. The film’s composer Dave Metzger is another “Frozen” alum. The singing, instrumental music and dancing are all first-rate as you would expect from a Disney film.
It’s clear that Disney wanted to use “Wish” to celebrate its anniversary, although the industry strike might have spoiled its plans somewhat. Asha has a group of friends, one of them grumpy, another one “sneezy.” Peter Pan makes a cameo appearance for reasons that make little sense. Magnifico is more blowhard than scary villain a la the Evil Queen of “Snow White,” who famously demands to have Snow White’s heart delivered to her.
Magnifico doesn’t kill or really hurt anyone. He just makes them sad. Asha makes a wish upon a star and the star whose name is – d’oh – Star, which resembles the kind you’d put atop a Christmas tree. It comes down from the heavens and suggests a creature from anime. Instead of being steeped in traditional fairy tales or based on a beloved classic, “Wish” is a rather simplistic, original story. The cute little star has magical powers to make trees, mushrooms and animals speak, like the creatures in Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” (1951). Valentino, Asha’s pet goat, voiced by the hugely talented Alan Tudyk (“Frozen,” natch), sounds like Patrick Stewart when he speaks and has a mischievous sense of humor. The goat gets all the best lines and steals the film. The skies above Rosas are truly brilliantly lit at the end. DeBose certainly has the charisma and acting chops. “Wish” is just a blandly accomplished, committee-made effort. But the goat deserves its own movie.
(“”Wish” contains mature themes and some violent action)
“Wish”
Rated PG. At AMC Boston Common, AMC South Bay and suburban theaters. Grade: B
