It’s been 100 years since Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, a humble animation house that would eventually grow into the Walt Disney Company. Now, a century later, Disney has evolved into a massive multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, spanning film, TV, news, sports, theme parks, cruises, and a vast array of merchandise. The Disney name has become almost synonymous with children’s entertainment. Even as the company has branched out into superheroes and space adventures, it has stayed true to its animated roots, producing more than 60 animated films since its first release, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—and that’s not even counting all the movies from its subsidiary Pixar.
Throughout the years, Disney has found inspiration in everything from talking mice to singing princesses. But now, for its 100th anniversary, the studio is turning inward for its latest film, Wish (due out Nov. 22). Directed by Disney veterans Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, Wish is a self-aware fairy tale filled with Easter eggs and references to the studio’s classic movies. It’s charming and should delight hardcore Disney fans. However, the problem with constantly nodding to past hits is that it invites comparisons—and in this case, Wish falls a bit flat. What’s left is an enjoyable, but somewhat hollow, fairy tale that feels more like a promotional piece, lacking that special Disney spark.
The movie takes inspiration from Disney’s signature song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which was first sung by Jiminy Cricket in the 1940 film Pinocchio. Our main character is 17-year-old Asha (voiced by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose), who lives in the magical kingdom of Rosas. The kingdom is run by Magnifico (Chris Pine), a charismatic sorcerer who encourages each citizen to make a wish when they turn 18. However, once the wish is made, it’s handed over to him and promptly forgotten by the wisher. Magnifico stores these wishes in his castle, only granting one now and then to maintain order. He believes that by controlling people’s wishes, he’s protecting the kingdom. As a result, the people of Rosas are content to live peacefully, no longer thinking about their greatest hopes and dreams.
Ever the optimist, Asha dreams of becoming a sorcerer’s apprentice, eager to help Magnifico make everyone’s wishes come true. But soon, she learns the dark truth: Magnifico is less a benevolent leader and more of a controlling ruler who keeps most wishes locked away forever. Refusing to accept this, Asha turns to the night sky and sings a heartfelt “I Want” song, titled “This Wish.” To her surprise, a magical star descends from the sky—a small, lively creature named (you guessed it) Star. With her new celestial companion and a chatty goat named Valentino (voiced by Alan Tudyk), Asha sets out to liberate Rosas’ captured wishes, sparking a rebellion in the process.
Creating a film that’s essentially an ad for its own brand isn’t a new move for Disney. Thankfully, Wish handles its self-references with a relatively light touch, using them as fun Easter eggs for sharp-eyed viewers. Unlike Space Jam: A New Legacy or Ready Player One, which seemed to exist solely to show off Warner Bros.’ extensive catalog, Wish cleverly sprinkles in Disney nods—a hidden Mickey here, a quick Bambi mention there. For the most part, the movie allows Asha’s story to shine on its own.
The issue is that Asha’s story doesn’t feel particularly fresh or unique. Disney’s best films are usually rooted in a strong sense of place, like the vibrant tropical islands of Moana, the sweeping deserts of Aladdin, or the lush savannas of The Lion King. In contrast, Wish is set in a rather generic medieval fantasy world. The kingdom of Rosas is pretty to look at and the animation, which blends 2D and 3D styles, is gorgeous. Yet, Rosas lacks the distinct character of places like Arendelle or Agrabah. In other words, don’t expect to see a “Rosas Land” attraction at Disney World anytime soon.
Even Asha herself seems like an amalgamation of Disney heroines from the past century. She has the classic big eyes, a loving heart, and a powerful singing voice. She’s loyal to her friends and community, but beyond these traits, her personality doesn’t stand out when compared to more memorable characters like Moana, Mulan, or even Meg from Hercules. Her sidekick, Valentino the goat, is similarly forgettable, only popping up for the occasional joke and, presumably, to become a popular plush toy this holiday season.
As far as animated movies go, Wish is a solid effort, created with the care and attention that have made Disney a dominant force in animation for 100 years. The visuals are stunning, the humor lands, and the songs (crafted by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice) are catchy enough to make it onto Disney fans’ playlists. At my screening, Pine’s big villain song received cheers and applause. However, the film is so focused on celebrating the past that it struggles to carve out a unique identity of its own. If you’re making a tribute to 100 years of Disney magic, you can’t forget to add a little of that magic yourself.