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By Bill McCann

Columnist

“Wish,” the latest film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, is one that seems to be as much about celebrating the studio’s 100th anniversary as it is about telling a musical story, which is a shame because the story had great potential.

Seventeen-year-old Asha lives in the kingdom of Rosas, located on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. At first, the kingdom appears to be ruled by benign and kind rulers, King Magnifico and his wife Queen Amaya. Once each month, the king grants a citizen’s wish, which he is in charge of safeguarding and sometimes granting.

Asha’s grandfather, Sabino, has a wish that he can “inspire people.” Quite naturally, on Sabino’s 100th birthday, Asha and her family hope that Sabino’s wish will be granted. Unfortunately, Magnifico believes that Sabino’s wish, if given, would threaten his reign. So he won’t grant it. After that, Magnifico uses dark magic to assert and keep his power, and the wishes of his subjects for himself.

At about this time, Asha receives some help from Star, who comes down from the night sky to help her. Star gives Asha’s goat, Valentino and forest animals the ability to speak. Then

with the help of Star, her family and friends—both the furry and the human—Asha saves the day.

The people get their wishes back, King Magnifico is defeated, Queen Amaya helps her people realize their dreams, and Asha, with a little magic of her own, assists the queen. And they all live “happily ever after.” Perfect ending to an imperfect film.

“Wish” is a film that has its moments—lots of easter egg moments. The film starts with a picture of “Steamboat Willie,” the first character “played” by Mickey Mouse in the film of the same name, 1938. At the movie’s end we see a castle lit up by fireworks, an allusion to the way Walt Disney’s own show began and ended when I watched it in the mid-1960s. In between are references to “Bambi” and 101 other Disney movies, places, or events.

My father told me about seeing “Steamboat Willie” at the Leeds when it was a movie theatre and he was nine. I remember watching Cubby, Darlene, Annette and the Mickey Mouse Club gang beginning when I was about six. So there are a lot of references in the movies that parents and grandparents will get and enjoy, and others that all generations will catch—such as “When You Wish upon a Star.” All of that is great fun.

But the biggest problem with the film is that while Disney created a clever homage to its history, it didn’t create an entertaining story with memorable songs. Asha doesn’t fall in love, she doesn’t really “fight” Magnifico. Instead, she pursues a goal—getting wishes back for others. She does inspire others to take up for themselves. But what is in it for her? Hers is an existential social goal. Who wrote this film? Senator Elizabeth Warren?

Where are the memorable songs? Where is “Wish’s” show-stopping tune? It’s tune you cannot stop singing? Its “A Whole New World” (1992)? Its “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers” (1968)? Even its “Ballad of Davy Crockett” (1954)?

I enjoyed “Wish.” But I just wish that Disney had been a little less clever and a little more into making a classic Disney movie. If you go see it. you will enjoy it. Your children and grandchildren will, too. But there likely is nothing about the story or the songs that will follow you home.