Wish (2023)

Wish has a heroine who wants more, a sorcerer king who hoards wishes, a talking goat and a star you can wish on, and it ticks them off like a birthday checklist. The whole thing feels assembled by focus group. Asha, seventeen, interviews to be King Magnifico’s apprentice, hoping he’ll grant her grandfather Sabino’s wish on his hundredth birthday. He won’t, and she figures out he never plans to give most of the wishes back. Chris Pine is a blast as Magnifico, clearly enjoying every petty sneer, and Ariana DeBose sings the house down. The watercolor look is lovely. The story is fragile, though, and the jokes mostly fizzle, except for some breakdancing chickens. Every nod to an older Disney classic just reminds you how much better that classic was. Critics landed at 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it made $255 million worldwide on a reported $175 to $200 million. A 4.1 because the voices are great and the magic is borrowed. $1,562 says a goat named Valentino lands on your kid’s birthday wish list.

What works: Chris Pine makes a deliciously petty villain, Ariana DeBose’s voice is huge, and the watercolor look is gorgeous.

What doesn’t: The story is thin and leans so hard on references to older Disney films that it mostly reminds you how much better those were.

Who it’s for: Young kids who love a talking animal and a big song, and parents who will catch every Disney reference.