Wish
Basic Info
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Title: Wish
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Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios
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Directors: Chris Buck and Fawn Veera sun thorn
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Screenwriters: Jennifer Lee, Allison Moore, plus story input from Buck and
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Producers: Peter Del Vecho, Juan Pablo Reyes
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Runtime: ~95 minutes Wikipedia
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Release: November 22, 2023 (theatrical)
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Budget: $175–200 million
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Box Office: ~$255 million globally
Voice Cast
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Asha – Ariana DeBose
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King Magnifico – Chris Pine Wikipedia
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Valentino (a goat) – Alan Tudyk
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Other voices: Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Harvey Guillén, Evan Peters, Ramy Youssef, Jon Rudnitsky
Music
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Score composed by Dave Metzger
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Songs by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice Wikipedia
Plot / Story Summary
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The protagonist is Asha, a 17-year-old girl living in the Kingdom of Rosas.
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Asha is idealistic, brave, and deeply cares about her community.
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She makes a heartfelt wish to the stars when she senses a growing darkness in her kingdom. uk.movies.yahoo.com
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That wish summons Star, a magical, living “fallen” star — a cosmic, energetic being full of possibility.
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Asha and Star form a bond and together face the kingdom’s ruler, King Magnifico, who is not what he seems.
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Their mission: to save Rosas and prove that when a courageous human will meets the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Parade
Artistic Style & Themes
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Animation Style: Wish blends computer (3D) animation with a watercolor / painted 2D feel. This mix gives the film a storybook, almost hand-drawn look in places.
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Homage to Disney Legacy: The movie was conceived as part of Disney’s 100-year celebration. It intentionally references classic Disney motifs — especially the theme of wishing on a star.
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Villain Design: King Magnifico is not just a power-hungry king — he’s a sorcerer who manipulates people’s wishes for his own gain.
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Character Motivation: Asha’s wish is rooted in selflessness — she doesn’t just want something for herself, she wants to help her people. Parade
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Message / Theme: The film talks about hope, community, and the power of belief. It suggests that true “wishing” isn’t just about getting what you want — it’s about what you do with the magic once it’s granted.
Reception & Criticism
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On Rotten Tomatoes, Wish holds a 48% critic score.
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Critic consensus (on Rotten Tomatoes): The film is beautifully animated and references Disney’s past, but many felt the story lacked originality and emotional depth. Rotten Tomatoes
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Some reviewers praised the visual style: the watercolor effect, subtle outlines, and nostalgic nods to classic Disney films.
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But others saw it as overly nostalgic or “by the numbers” — feeling like a corporate tribute more than a deeply compelling story.
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On the financial side, it’s considered by some analysts to have underperformed given its big budget.
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Audience feedback was more favorable: many appreciated the charm, music, and heartfelt moments.
Why People Are Talking About Wish
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Disney Anniversary Connection: Because Wish was released during Disney’s 100th anniversary, it’s seen as a symbolic celebration of Disney’s legacy.
Unique Animation Blend: The mix of traditional and modern animation styles (watercolor with 3D) drew a lot of attention — both praise and critique. theprincessblog.org+1
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Strong Female Lead: Asha is portrayed as independent and community-oriented, not just focused on a romantic storyline.
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Philosophical Take on “Wishing”: Instead of just “make a wish, get what you want,” the film explores deeper ideas: responsibility, sacrifice, and what it really means to hope.
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Villain with Depth: King Magnifico is more than just “evil king” — his control over wishes raises questions about power, corruption, and the cost of magic.
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Critical Polarization: The mixed reviews sparked debate. Some think it’s a beautiful tribute; others say it lacks the emotional core of classic Disney movies.
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Cultural & Industry Moment: In a changing animation industry, Wish is part of Disney’s attempt to revisit what made its films iconic — but adapt that for a modern audience.

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