Story
There is nothing more important than a wish – or so King Magnifico (voice of Chris Pine) believes. He knows firsthand the haunting desires that drive the heart and how easily dreams can be destroyed. Magnifico spends years studying and training to become a sorcerer and finally, fleeing cruelty and injustice, he and his wife Amaya (voice of Angelique Cabral) find the perfect uninhabited island to create the kingdom of Rosas, where everyone is welcome. In exchange for the opportunity to live in a friendly place, free of persecution and unhappiness, Magnifico asks each immigrant to offer up their deepest desire. He pledges to personally safeguard these wishes and occasionally grant them.
At 17, Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) is hoping to be chosen as the King’s apprentice and, in the process, to ensure that her grandfather’s wish will be granted. When she learns that Magnifico is not who he seems and has no intention of ever granting most of the wishes, Asha beseeches him to give the ungranted wishes back to the people who made them. She argues that people should have the opportunity to make their own dreams come true instead of forgetting the most beautiful part of themselves.
Disgraced by the King, Asha turns to the stars, which she has always seen as beacons of inspiration and possibility. She makes a powerful wish for her people and is answered by the very star she wishes upon. Her selfless act allows the people to feel hope again, but King Magnifico will stop at nothing to maintain his power and prestige.
With the Kingdom of Rosas turned against her, Asha must find a way to set free the wishes and return them to the people who are missing integral parts of themselves. Aided by Star and her baby goat Valentino (voice of Alan Tudyk), Asha must prove to all of Rosas that she isn’t the enemy and that their long-lost dreams are more important and powerful than they could ever have imagined – perhaps even more powerful than Magnifico himself.
Themes
Regret; injustice; long-lost dreams; persecution; tyranny; sorcery
Violence
Wish has some violence. For example:
- Asha is attacked by flying bugs, which swarm around her.
- Magnifico describes how his family’s lands were destroyed by selfish and greedy thieves.
- A suit of armour collapses, and a character kicks the head away.
- Magnifico crushes Asha’s mother’s wish in front of her, and her mother nearly collapses from the grief and pain that this causes.
- Asha knocks a dresser over to trap the King, while Star ties up the guards with string.
- Magnifico crushes the wishes of others to take their power, to cause them pain or to punish them for questioning him.
- Magnifico turns on Amaya and points his spear-like staff at her throat.
- Magnifico ties up Asha and throws her to the ground.
- A character crushes Asha's magic stick and threatens her.
- Magnifico sucks the Star into his staff and tosses Asha aside.
- Magnifico blasts Asha with his staff and knocks her to the side.
- Asha sings as Magnifico continues to blast her with his staff.
- Magnifico tries to hit people with magical blasts from his staff. They’re either knocked aside or pulled out of the way.
- Magnifico is sucked into and imprisoned within his own magical staff.
Sexual references
Wish has some sexual references. For example, a character is talking about the King and says, 'Now that is someone I would really like to kiss'. And she tries to kiss a statue of him.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
There's no use of substances in Wish.
Nudity and sexual activity
There’s no nudity and sexual activity in Wish.
Product placement
There's no product placement in Wish.
Coarse language
There's no coarse language in Wish, but there is some crude humour and a few uses of the word 'butt'.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Wish is a musical fantasy adventure, celebrating 100 years of Disney magic and playing tribute to the famous wishing star. The movie features beautiful music and songs, a fast-paced but largely predictable plot, and excellent computer graphics set against some more traditional 2D backgrounds. This is a family movie suitable for all but the youngest of children.
The main messages from Wish are that we&rsquo\;re connected to the stars and their power resides inside each of us. We need to let that starlight shine, which means nurturing our dreams, working towards fulfilling them and finding the courage to share them with the world.
Values in Wish that you could reinforce with your children include courage, hope, cooperation, wonder and determination.
Wish could also give you the chance to talk with your children about the importance of believing in their dreams and working hard to fulfil them, rather than handing them over to someone else or casting them aside.