Over the course of the year, the Disney 100 anniversary has been in full swing. This film is the peak of this celebration, with everything building to its release. A lot of careful thought was put into this movie with intentional references to many of the Disney classics. These small easter eggs are fun for both kids and adults to find scattered throughout the film.
While there is a lot to love about "Wish", the best part of this movie is the music. The soundtrack is full of powerful songs written by Grammy-nominated songwriter Julia Michaels. "This Wish" has quickly become a favorite in our house, with my daughters singing it on repeat.
Disney has been at the forefront of cutting-edge animation since their first release. Unfortunately, the animation in this film is a bit half-baked and seems cheap. There were moments where the movie felt like a Disney Channel cartoon (i.e., "Sofia the First" or "Elena of Avalor") rather than a centennial celebration.
While the lead character, Asha, has a strong identity and purpose, the rest of the characters fall flat. The scenes with her group of friends are uninteresting and their attempts at humor do not land. Even the animal sidekick, a goat named Valentino, is forgettable and unamusing.
"Wish" does an admirable job at paying homage to the 61 Disney movies that came before it. While it does not quite live up to the high expectations, the movie is a fun adventure for the whole family. Asha is a powerful protagonist, the music is top-tier and the climactic third act does not disappoint.
Best Character: Asha Best Scene: The Reprise Best Song: "This Wish". Honorable mention to "At All Costs"
Written for the Gunnison Gazette.
While there is a lot to love about "Wish", the best part of this movie is the music. The soundtrack is full of powerful songs written by Grammy-nominated songwriter Julia Michaels. "This Wish" has quickly become a favorite in our house, with my daughters singing it on repeat.
Disney has been at the forefront of cutting-edge animation since their first release. Unfortunately, the animation in this film is a bit half-baked and seems cheap. There were moments where the movie felt like a Disney Channel cartoon (i.e., "Sofia the First" or "Elena of Avalor") rather than a centennial celebration.
While the lead character, Asha, has a strong identity and purpose, the rest of the characters fall flat. The scenes with her group of friends are uninteresting and their attempts at humor do not land. Even the animal sidekick, a goat named Valentino, is forgettable and unamusing.
"Wish" does an admirable job at paying homage to the 61 Disney movies that came before it. While it does not quite live up to the high expectations, the movie is a fun adventure for the whole family. Asha is a powerful protagonist, the music is top-tier and the climactic third act does not disappoint.
Best Character: Asha Best Scene: The Reprise Best Song: "This Wish". Honorable mention to "At All Costs"
Written for the Gunnison Gazette.