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Disney is commemorating its 100th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with their upcoming 62nd animated feature, “Wish.” Disney is renowned worldwide for its enchanting “magic” and the concept of wishing upon a star.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a pre-screening in Atlanta with the next generation of Disney fans. They will learn the true essence of making a wish, the Disney way.

The star, which has been a topic of discussion in films for decades, takes center stage in “Wish,” allowing audiences and long-time fans to discover its personality. However, let us not forget the timeless Disney classic, “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

“When You Wish Upon a Star” is the iconic and beloved Disney song from Walt Disney’s 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio. Originally sung by Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards), it graces the opening credits and the final scene of the film when Pinocchio wishes upon a star to become a real boy!

Now, everyone has the chance to meet STAR, the very star that has been the object of wishes for generations!

TRAILER

In “Wish,” Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”).

I’M A STAR – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” sharp-witted idealist Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful, it’s answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, “Wish” features original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and musician Benjamin Rice. The epic animated musical opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

REVIEW

WISH, a film that truly resonates with Disney fans, is a nostalgic journey. It celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Studio by bringing together beloved characters from a century of Disney films, offering a delightful treasure hunt for Easter eggs, hidden details, and familiar faces.

With magical gifts and revelations from films like Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Bambi, and Sleeping Beauty, WISH creates its own Disney animated multiverse. It beautifully showcases the interconnectedness of these films over the years.

The film explores the profound meaning of wishes, going beyond the famous song “When You Wish Upon a Star” to become a mantra passed down through generations. Disney deserves our gratitude for keeping this mantra alive for decades.

These words have always held true for all of us, from our childhood selves to our adult selves and even our parents and grandparents. We have all gazed at the stars, making wishes and prayers, with Disney’s films, old and new, instilling hope that our wishes can come true. But how?

WISH, designed as a centennial celebration, introduces us to Asha, a spirited princess-like character voiced by Ariana DeBose. She resides on the island kingdom of Rosas, a fictional Mediterranean land. Initially, it appears to be a paradise founded by King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and Queen Amaya (Angelique Cabral), who have used sorcery to maintain their youth. However, there’s a catch—residents must surrender their heart’s greatest desires, their wishes, to the king after turning 18.

King Magnifico, a nod to Snow White’s Maleficent, starts as a beloved king and mentor to his community but turns evil when he discovers the power that each person’s wishes hold. He absorbs everyone’s wishes to become more powerful.

Of course, no Disney film is complete without enchanting power ballads. WISH introduces new songs, including the “I Want” song and “This Wish,” which are sure to become fan favorites.

At the film’s conclusion, the meaning can be interpreted in various ways, but one message stands out: protect your wishes and keep them alive. As you grow older, never forget them, and maintain belief in their potential to come true. By uniting as one human race in the future, our collective wishes can manifest in harmony, promoting peace. Evil cannot prevail if we wish and work together in positive synchronicity.

This beautiful film arrives just in time for the holidays. It holds a special place in Disney’s animated collection, not only featuring classic character reveals and Easter eggs but also dedicating artistic visuals of a character from each Disney film throughout the century in the end credits. It’s a touching homage that honors Walt Disney’s legacy and his enduring wish for his brand to continue to thrive and here we are 100 years later.

WISH sprinkles into theaters this holiday Nov.22