Walt Disney Studios' animated filmWish - Asha and the Good Star promises a musical adventure that transports viewers to the kingdom of Rosas, a fantasy land inspired by the landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula.
The film follows the adventures of Asha, an idealistic, quick-witted 17-year-old girl, as she confronts King Magnifico, a powerful sorcerer who can grant his subjects' dreams, but is becoming increasingly tyrannical. Asha then makes a wish so powerful that it is soon granted by Star, a magical star, who comes to help her save the kingdom from Magnifico's yoke.
The film is directed by Chris Buck, Oscar-winning director of The Snow Queen, and Fawn Veerasunthorn, known for Raya and the Last Dragon.
Our verdict
The film's promotion hasn't put much emphasis on this, but Wish was conceived and produced to celebrate Disney's 100th anniversary. The entire film acts as a retrospective, both in terms of the staging and story, which offer numerous nods to previous Disney films, and in terms of the animation, which mixes styles, from the traditional 2D of the early films to 3D CGI and more.
The project is touching, and Disney fans will be delighted by this celebration, but for those looking for an original story, you'll have to look elsewhere. Wish 's story is pretty, but remains very classic, and aligned with Disney standards: the kingdom, the magic, the wicked wizard, the intrepid young girl, and of course, the songs. As for the animation, the mix of genres can sting the eyes. While the sets are often sumptuous, the whole lacks depth, and the character animation looks dated. When you see the latest Pixar films, the difference in quality is obvious.
However, the film does have a nice moral, even if it's a bit redundant: teach children to hope, but be wary of appearances and promises. Younger viewers will have a lot of fun. It's a pity there's no standout song, as in previous Disney films.
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