When not compared against the bountifulness of time, 100 years is a long time. Within the last 100, three generations of Davidsons followed the arrival of my grandfather. We have fought in two world wars (nearly crossed the line into several more), fought and continue to fight for rights civil and human, and seen technology advance in ways that would make those born just 40 years ago amazed with what feats of magic and wonder we can do with objects in our pockets. The seemingly boundlessness of time creates opportunities for extraordinary creativity amid times that are often hard and heartbreaking. In this vein, last year was the centennial celebration for Walt Disney Studios, an organization that’s as responsible for global wonder as the storytellers of old, using tales of woe, lessons of morality, and other fables to entrance audiences and offer a bit of hope. Honoring the last 100 years, Walt Disney Studios released their 100^th film, Wish, directed by Chris Buck (Frozen II) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (head of story on Raya and the Last Dragon), a film which sought to honor all that came before as they told something new. Despite being a fun tale, its reliance on what-was-then prevents Wish from standing enough on its own to be celebrated uniquely. Whether you enjoyed it or loved it completely, the home release edition includes more than 172 minutes of behind-the-scenes material that invites audiences behind the scenes so that all can see how the magic was conjured for this fantasy adventure meant to celebrate the House of Mickey Mouse.

If you’re looking to learn about Wish in a spoiler-free capacity, head over to the initial theatrical release review. Moving forward, we will not hesitate to pull back on the curtain on the magic of Wish.

L-R: Valentino voiced Alan Tudyk and Asha voiced by Ariana DeBose in WISH. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

In the land of Rosas, everything everyone could want is available to them. They have food, they have drink, they have safety — all by design of the king, Magnifico (voiced by Chris Pine), who established the country with his queen, Amaya (voiced by Angelique Cabral), after growing up a survivor of war. Magnifico also offers up something else, something unique, to his people; he protects their wishes, their most sacred desires, and picks one to make real when he decides the time is right. Hoping to earn the position of assistant, young girl Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) goes to interview with Magnifico and learns that what she and all the citizens believe about their wishes is a twisted truth, disheartening her and, ultimately, losing the job she’d hoped to take on. But in a moment of deep sadness, she calls into the cosmos for help and is answered by a magical star that may just be the key to making Rosas the kingdom it only pretends to be.

L-R: Asha voiced by Ariana DeBose as Asha and King Magnifico voiced by Chris Pine in WISH. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Wish is a double-edged sword-type of film. It’s the 100^th film and is therefore a celebration of everything that comes before. It didn’t *have* to be, but, by making that choice, it must immediately serve two narrative masters: reference its history while being its own story. The trick is that much of the power of Wish comes from whether or not you understand the references. One doesn’t need to know that Asha is dressed in the colors of the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella or notice that her outfit included pumpkin seeds embroidered on it; however, when the story reaches its end and the star hands Asha a wand with a very specific magical affection, the designation of “Fairy Godmother” is only clear if one recognizes all the references that lead to this reveal. It doesn’t impact the narrative at all if folks don’t recognize Asha’s seven friends as representative of Snow White’s roommates *or* if audiences don’t pick up on Magnifico’s interactions with mirrors as a tease for his fate (these are just cool little things that either reference Disney films past or for Magnifico’s future). But in order to understand why the choice was made for Magnifico to be depicted in green, to have a staff from which he would use the star’s magic, and the design of his rage, one needs to have seen Sleeping Beauty (1959). The choice to pull back on all of Rosas at the end of the film, even that is to visually demonstrate that the castle and its surrounding land is merely a stand-in for *the* magic castle in the Disney logo and video that opens all modern Disney productions. It’s not that one can’t enjoy Wish for what it is, there’s plenty of original characters and original struggles within this reference-heavy work to appreciate, but it’s difficult to observe Wish as little more than a celebration of Disney wherein each part is precisely designed to evoke nostalgia for a different project than reel people in to this one. Wish is a fine film on its own with interesting ideas and a great voice cast, yet it seems so connected to the stories of old that any real enjoyment or longevity requires one having prior knowledge of the previous 99 projects.

L-R: Asha voiced by Ariana DeBose and Valentino voiced Alan Tudyk in WISH. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

On the bright side, the bonus features that accompany this release are the usual abundant collection of featurettes and features that animated Disney films include, but with a bit of a twist. In this instance, home viewers are not only offered the sing-along version, gag reel, deleted scenes, easter eggs, and option to jump to the musical scene of their choice, they’re given the short film “Once Upon a Studio” and a nine-part documentary, “100 Years in the Making,” that breaks down the making of Wish as an individual film, as well as within the context of Disney Animation history.  In over an hour, audiences are guided through the art design, character design, production design, song writing, narrative construction, and all the other pieces that make up the creation of Wish. Delightfully, you can watch this as one whole piece or jump in-and-out of individual portions without having to watch them in ordinal order to follow the information, but I would recommend viewing it that way in order to get the most out of it. There are some things discussed in later portions of the documentary that will only make proper sense if you’ve seen earlier portions. Ultimately, though, fans of Wish, general animation fans, or those who enjoy learning about cinema history will want to take the time on “100 Years in the Making” for all the tidbits it provides on the past and present regarding Disney Animation.

WISH steelbook edition. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

As expressed in my initial review, Wish is a fine film. Asha is a great addition to the legacy of heroes from the Mouse House, Magnifico is a proper Disney villain that we haven’t seen in ages (his motivation may be trauma, but his actions go beyond that), and there’s a clear reverence and appreciation for the past baked into every frame of the film. One cannot help but leave the film having enjoyed the adventure, even being moved by the songs and their message, yet walk away feeling as though the tale tried to do too much by trying to be its own story while honoring 100 years of stories. That’s a hard task to manage, and while Wish is certainly not the worst film to come out of Disney Animation, its reliance on understanding what came before makes the film less accessible to newer audiences. You certainly don’t have to have the knowledge to enjoy the film, but it means that all the richness within is wasted and, therefore, comes off as less memorable and less weighty than it seeks to be.

Wish Special Features*:

• Sing along with the movie: Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics.
• Once Upon a Studio: Beloved characters from Disney Animation’s 100 years come together for an unforgettable reunion. (8:47)
• 100 Years in the Making – The inside story on the making of Wish (1:04:15)
  • What Makes Disney, Disney: Learn what makes a Disney film and its characters so distinct, memorable and beloved. Discover how Asha and Wish are quintessentially Disney — from the extraordinary challenges Asha must overcome, to the magical, Kingdom of Rosa (6:39)
  • The Wish Equation: What is a wish? Join the filmmakers for a surprising conversation as they break down the “Wish Equation,” discuss the “rules of magic,” and describe the role music plays in Disney films. Then hear Julia Michaels’ own original demo of “This Wish.” (9:29)
  • Looking Backward to Go Forward: Walk the aisles of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library as the filmmakers “draw” inspiration from 100 years of animation. Learn about the “Pinocchio test,” and how Wish’s design blends new technology with classic techniques. (8:42)
  • Where Dreams and Reality Collide: Discover the times and places that were the inspiration for Rosas and helped build the world of this original fairy tale. (2:22)
  • Asha Means Wish: Learn all about Asha, from her inspired design to her boundless determination and generosity. Uncover the subtle symbolism in her jewelry, and dive into her dancing skills. See how she’s imperfectly perfect and what makes her a memorable Disney hero. (7:59)
  • The Return of the Disney Villain: You’ll love to hate King Magnifico when you uncover his secrets. Find out what makes him the classic Disney villain — and why he doesn’t wear a crown. (7:44)
  • Star is Born: Uncover early concept drawings to see how Star evolved into Asha’s lovable wish facilitator. Learn about Star’s sparkles, and why Star can communicate with Asha and the other characters. (8:19)
  • Those Who Stand Beside Me: Learn more about Asha’s closest allies, Dahlia and Valentino. Find out which of Snow White’s seven companions served as inspiration for Dahlia, and how Valentino breaks one of the rules of Disney animals. (4:47)
  • When Wishes Come True: Get to know the kids inside the filmmakers as the creators of Wish reflect on what Disney movies meant to them growing up, and what it’s like being part of the Disney legacy today. (8:26)
• Wish D-Classified: Wish is filled with references and nods to other Disney films from the studio’s 100-year legacy. From hidden Mickeys to more subtle tributes, you may have caught many of them, but check out this “D-Classified” piece for ones you may have missed. (6:28)
• Outtakes: Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Wish for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life. (2:44)
• Deleted Song “A Wish Worth Making”: Directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn introduce this poignant song sung by Saba Sabino (voiced by Victor Garber) expressing what it’s like to be reunited with your one true wish. (2:54)
• Five (5) Deleted Scenes: Check out some scenes that didn’t make the Final Cut. (22:06)
• Seven (7) Song Selection: Jump to your favorite musical moments, with on-screen lyrics.

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Available on digital January 23^rd, 2024.
Available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 12^th, 2024.
Available on Disney+ April 3^rd, 2024.

For more information, head to the official Walt Disney Studios Wish webpage.

Categories: Home Release, Recommendation

Tags: Alan Tudyk, Allison Moore, Angelique Cabral, animation, Ariana DeBose, Chris Buck, Chris Pine, comedy, Della Saba, drama, Evan Peters, fantasy, Fawn Veerasunthorn, Harvey Guillén, home release, home video, Jennifer Kumiyama, Jennifer Lee, Jon Rudnitsky, musical, Natasha Rothwell, Niko Vargas, Ramy Youssef, streaming, Victor Garber, Wish