Most critics find Wish a centenary tribute that spends more time saluting Disney’s past than telling its own story, and the consensus is that it comes up short. The complaints cluster on the script: a thin plot, underwritten characters, a villain given too little to work with, and a habit of gesturing at earlier films rather than earning its own moments. Several reviews describe it as feeling corporate, more an anniversary exercise than a fairy tale. Praise, where it comes, goes chiefly to the voice cast, with Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine singled out repeatedly, and to the look of the film, though the mix of 2D and 3D animation divides opinion sharply. The songs divide critics too, called catchy in some reviews and forgettable in most. The spread is wide. Empire and Film Stories are the warmest, treating it as an affectionate if formulaic homage, while Vulture is the harshest, finding it lifeless on every level.
E
Empire
17 November 2023 · John Nugent
70*
The film is a formulaic but affectionate tribute to Disney's classic style and tropes, celebrating the studio's centenary without breaking new ground. The critic praises the nostalgic references and old-fashioned magic while noting flat jokes and a generic script.
The film is an amiable, young-skewing trifle that retcons Disney’s back catalog into a single magical universe. The critic praises the premise but notes it functions as a generic prequel celebrating the studio’s centennial.
The film taps into Disney nostalgia effectively but fails to become an instant classic like Pinocchio or Encanto. It shines with catchy songs performed well by DeBose and Pine plus cute elements like the star character, yet is let down by an underdeveloped plot and villain backstory.
Wish is a so-so centenary celebration with a bare-bones plot that gestures at classics without matching them. It benefits from colourful world-building, a sparky voice cast especially DeBose and Pine, and strong songs, but suffers from uneven 2D/3D animation and a weak goat sidekick.
The film is a mess resembling a corporate anxiety attack more than a centennial celebration, though innovative in its non-fairy-tale source and watercolor-style homage to classic animation. It ruminates on Disney's purpose while feeling wobbly and anxious.
Wish is a charming but old-school family musical that is visually pretty as a graceful homage to classic Disney fairy tales yet lacks heart and emotional depth. The animation and performances are highlights, but the story feels nostalgic without sufficient originality or soul.
The film feels like corporate formula and is cobbled together from references to better Disney movies, with a generic script and uninspiring songs. It entertains the very young but falls short for those familiar with the studio’s stronger work; the Star character provides the main highlight.
Wish feels like a corporate identity crisis rather than a fairy tale, with all the ingredients for a princess musical but no spark or humanity to bring them to life. It spends too long on metaphysics and lacks the charm to turn basics into an actual good time.
Wish is a strained animated musical that shamelessly plunders Disney’s catalogue in a way that exposes how singular past productions were. A few memorable songs cannot compensate for the convoluted story, bland characters, and cynical callbacks that leave the film feeling like a dim echo of earlier works.
The film is an overstuffed yet underpowered attempt to replicate Frozen's success, feeling like an off-brand rip-off lacking magic and charm. The animation style is jarring, the songs forgettable, and the story a clumsy remix that fails to coalesce into something engaging.
The film plays like a no-frills Disney princess story with all the right ingredients but no vibrancy or inspiration, resulting in a muted, uninspiring effort. Its allegorical undercurrent about power and dreams is undercut by talking animals and weak songs.
Intended as a centenary celebration, the film is a forgettable jumble of allusions to past Disney classics with no real soul or originality of its own. The patchwork story, mismatched animation style, and clichéd songs fail to deliver the magic or innovation expected.
The film fails on every level as a lifeless mess of bland brand management, neither evocative of the past nor inventive enough to justify its callouts. The songs, animation, characters, and story all disappoint despite the promising premise.
The film hits expected beats but hints at something more subversive, adding modern sparkle to classic lessons with a mild hallucinogenic touch. It balances charm with potential for deeper commentary under the surface.
The critic sees the film as trapped between past and present Disney styles, with a safe conclusion that squanders its promising rebellious formula. DeBose's voice performance and the diverse cast stand out amid the awkward hybrid animation and music.
The critic finds the film visually magical with strong voice work and enjoyable musical numbers, but notes the narrative is mildly muddled and overly focused on Disney heritage at the expense of a fully rounded story. It comfortably fits into the Disney canon without standing out.
The critic calls it a darling film that celebrates Disney's past with strong animation, catchy songs, and excellent voice work from Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine, but finds the screenplay underwritten with thin characters and a story that feels slight and incomplete.
The review criticizes the film for failing to explore its intriguing premise, with forgettable songs and lacklustre storytelling, though it acknowledges it is visually pretty and ends on a heartwarming note.
Wish falls short of capturing Disney's magic with unremarkable music and a lackluster screenplay. It attempts to celebrate Disney's history but ends up feeling dated and without creativity.
The critic views the film as a low-stakes greatest-hits package that fails to live up to Disney's legacy, with overblown songs and a thin, unsubtle plot full of missed opportunities. Ariana DeBose's charming turn as Asha is singled out as the standout element.
The critic deems the film a lifeless homage that prioritizes Easter eggs and references to past Disney works over original storytelling, resulting in forgettable songs and shaky logic, despite strong visuals and cast.
The critic finds it a heartfelt and sweet effort with gorgeous animation and a strong villain arc, but criticizes the weak songbook, simplistic story, and lack of compelling music that prevents it from recapturing Disney magic fully. It's suitable for kids but only adequate for parents.
Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate
