[‘WISH’ Review] Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine shine bright in Disney dazzler

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

WISH

Rated PG, 92 min.
Director: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Cast: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Jennifer Kumiyama, Harvey Guillén

Disney Animation’s FROZEN, MOANA and ENCANTO all highlight heroines who are perfectly fit for the modern era, saving themselves and their communities without the love of a prince at stake. They yearn to figure out their power and purpose – not only to enhance themselves, but also the worlds around them. Yet deep within their thoughtfully constructed souls, they all contain similar characteristics that harken back to the golden era of the studio – a time when princesses reigned and fairy tales were told with artistic panache to soothe world-weary audiences. With all that in mind, on the company’s 100^th anniversary comes another perfectly suited candidate to carry the crown.

Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn’s WISH tells the story of a young woman whose wish upon a mischievous star one fateful night sets her destiny in motion. They’ve beautifully crafted that pitch-perfect Disney magic once again, combining a clever bedtime story featuring an inspiring heroine for a new generation with dazzling animation and enchanting musical splendor. Funny, palpably poignant and gorgeous, the filmmakers pull from the studio’s rich history to create a wholly original, flat-out fabulous fantasy.

Seventeen-year- old Asha (Ariana DeBose) is a tour guide in the seaside city of Rosas, a magical place led by benevolent sorcerer King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and Queen Amaya (Angelique Cabral). Asha’s grandfather Saba (Victor Garber) is turning 100 and hopes to have his wish granted. In order to stay in this far off kingdom protected by Magnifico, people must give up their truest heart’s desires to their leader for safe keeping, who, at a later time, determines whether or not those wishes will be granted. There’s also a catch: they instantly forget what their wish is, thus forgetting the best part of themselves and their life’s purpose. Amaya’s got a job interview with the King to be his apprentice and hopes to put in a good word for Saba.

However, when Saba’s wish isn’t chosen during the monthly ceremony, Asha starts digging into the mystery of Magnifico’s machinations being over-protective and power-mad. Feeling powerless, she wishes on a far-off star – a pantomiming puffy little yellow scamp pulled to Earth to help her out. Star has the power to make dreams come true, which mostly means turning both flora and fawna into talking, singing beings. Asha’s pajama-wearing goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk) reaps the best benefits from it. But it also helps aid Asha in her arc, going from unsure and hesitant to speak up to inspiring her community to band together and push back on Magnifico’s tyranny, which continues to grow stronger.

Buck, Veerasunthorn and screenwriter Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore delicately layer in themes dealing with heroism, bravery, adversity, rebellion and confidence. Julia Michaels-penned songs are complementary of the action. Asha’s “I Want” ballad, “This Wish,” is genuinely moving and powerful. The peppy pop ditty she sings with forest animals and plants “I’m A Star,” propels the film’s sentiments. In numbers like “Knowing What I Know Now” and “This Wish (Reprise),” the power and magnitude of her revolution  hits like a full-bodied gut-punch. DeBose and Pine’s voices sing in glorious chorus in the intertwined duet “At All Costs,” furthering their character arcs. Both exhibit dynamic range bringing down the house. Even still, the film soars when it makes a mad dash at zany levity, like when Star farts stardust when surprised and Valentino conducts a Busby Berkeley number with chickens in a coop.

This film pays tribute to the past, not solely through the blended techniques the animators use, but also in its narrative nods and imagery, the filmmakers subtly dig into nostalgia. References to Disney classics are peppered throughout the picture, everything from a poisoned apple on Magnifico’s workspace to a wishing well found in the middle of the forest. Musically, “Welcome to Rosas” is akin to ENCANTO and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’s opening musical numbers in its purpose to get our toes tapping and establish the characters and location. They build in lore and imagery from Disney’s CINDERELLA (Asha’s sneak-around town hooded cape is highly recognizable) and SNOW WHITE (Asha’s seven friends have Dwarves-inspired personalities) while concocting its own unique, spellbinding potion.

Similar to Asha’s roadblocks that lead to soul-searching questions, we too find ourselves asking a few of our own. Her best friend Dahlia’s (Jennifer Kumiyama) attempt to stall Magnifico while Asha, Star and Valentino are breaking into his study has her asking significant questions about his practice keeping and granting wishes that are surprising no townsfolk have ever asked before – not even the queen. Asha’s pal Gabo (Harvey Guillén) is a jerk to Asha until he’s suddenly he’s not, where he’s given little to no motivation to have experienced that turn.

Though slight and superficial in a handful of spots where it could’ve used a little more finessing, its charm, gumption and effervescence outweigh many of its blights. It’s a mood-elevator of the highest order. By keeping the narrative fairly tight and light, it not only pays homage to the studio’s legacy, but also blazes a new trail for its future. Make sure to stay all the way through the end credits as the filmmakers have one final trick up their sleeves that further cements this feature into the Disney canon.

Grade: A-

WISH opens on November 22.