By Lynn Venhaus
The idealist in me wants to believe in Disney magic, of good triumphing over evil, of the power of community, and memorable moments, often with hopeful songs, that “Wish” embodies. 

Nevertheless, the cynic in me wonders if Disney’s reliance on their formula, just in time for the holidays, to endear a whole new line of toys to their loyal fans, makes the film lack the luster that “Frozen” and “Encanto” did.

Because the leading lady Asha’s pet goat Valentino, voiced by Disney regular Alan Tudyk, is certain to fly off the shelves, with its lovable demeanor and snappy dialogue. And the cosmic force that changes the plot’s trajectory, a Star, is drawn as a golden ball of energy. Cha-ching.

But we should be used to this, especially after the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s, where the Disney princesses became icons and prestige was bestowed with many awards for the animated musicals’ songs and scores. The bar was raised.

However, in recent years, the Disney output has been a mixed bag of highs and lows. For every “Zootopia,” there’s a “Strange World.” And I’m not even going to mention the live action remakes.

For all its good intentions to celebrate the Walt Disney Studios’ centennial, “Wish,” which is supposed to be the musical origin story for the “Wishing Star” that Disney is famous for, feels like a cut-and-paste tribute. 

Co-written  by the “Frozen” team of Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, along with Allison Moore, “Wish” follows a young girl named Asha who attempts to save the fantastical Kingdom of Rosas from darkness. She wishes on a star and that trouble-making beacon comes down from the sky to join her because King Magnifico, a sorcerer, isn’t all that he seems to be.

Asha has seven friends who are grumpy, dopey, sneezy, and so forth – wink, wink. Sure, plenty of Easter eggs, but the homages are often nods to better efforts, and are missing the magic they are trying so hard to create.

The plucky heroine, a compassionate and smart peasant girl, rallies her beloved community because the cunning ruler, King Magnifico, voiced by a first-rate Chris Pine as both unctuous and ruthless, becomes a megalomaniac before our eyes. The whole wish symbolism gets a little muddled if you think about what all that means — putting your hopes and dreams into an omnipotent ruler.

As Asha, Ariana DeBose is a powerhouse vocalist, and the animators wisely capture her lithe dancing style, plus she can emotionally connect as the character.

While female empowerment is always worthy, with positive portrayals to propel this musical comedy, the other message is a noble one, and actually a little daring with its cautionary tale on authoritarianism and fascism. (Real world headlines intrude!)

The vocal work is fine – among the recognizable names, Victor Garber is a sympathetic grandfather Sabino, Evan Peters is Simon, one of Asha’s friends, and Ramy Youssef is Safi.

But the script is rather slight, and the music doesn’t seem to have a break-out original song like the “Encanto” or “Moana” songbook. Nevertheless, “This Wish” and “Knowing What I Know Now” are catchy – just not earworms like “Let It Go” or the Menken-Ashman canon. 

Stay for the credits because they will include every Disney animated feature in artwork, and there is a bonus scene with an iconic Disney song.

“Wish” is pleasant enough – just not as endearing as we’ve come to expect from the Mouse House. But its statement, perhaps aimed at a certain governor of the state where Disney World is based, is funny in a sly master stroke way. The movie’s message: Be careful what you wish for.

“Wish” is a 2023 animated musical fantasy directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn and starring Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, VIctor Garber, Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Evan Peters and Ramy Youssef. It is rated PG for thematic elements and mild action, and the run time is 1 hour, 35 minutes. It opened in theatres Nov. 22. Lynn’s Grade: B-.

By Lynn Venhaus

Another disappointment among Disney’s increasingly lackluster live action reboots of their classic animated films, “Peter Pan and Wendy” lacks imagination in its re-imagining.

Based on J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play/novels and Disney’s 1953 animated movie, this latest version is about Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson) meeting Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), a mischievous boy who refuses to grow up. Along with her brothers John and Michael (Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe), she travels to Neverland with Peter and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi). There, she encounters an evil pirate, Captain Hook (Jude Law) and other dangers.

Those looking for a nostalgic experience, recalling favorite versions, may wonder what’s the point of a grittier straight-to-streaming film after watching the live theatrical versions on TV, on stage, on ice, in cartoons, and countless movies from a silent era one to a 2003 Australian remake, with “Hook” sequel (1991), “Pan” (2015), “Wendy” (2020), and even the comedic spin in “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (with Will Arnett as “Sweet Pete”) in the canon.

With so many different takes on “Peter Pan” already, did we need another revision? I am not sure who this film is really for, who is the targeted demographic?

Still set in Edwardian England, director David Lowery, who co-wrote the screenplay with Toby Halbrooks, has refreshed the cast with diverse characters, including girls added to the “Lost Boys” and an empowered Wendy, a welcome contemporary upgrade. They have omitted troubling language and those awful Native American stereotypes from the Disney animated film.

Jude Law as Captain Hook

However, the story is a puzzling mix of plot origins, new unnecessary backstories and deleting character traits and motivations. For instance, Tink is no longer jealous of Wendy, Captain Hook has something to do with Peter’s past, and Mr. Darling is not the same actor playing the captain either.

Disney regular Alan Tudyk is the stuffy dad while Jude Law is the unpleasant ill-tempered Captain, devoid of swagger, less campy rogue. He comes across as a sociopath who preys on children, not as a buffoon. It’s a curious portrait.

Lowery, known for his distinct character studies on human frailties (including “A Ghost Story,” “The Green Knight” and Robert Redford’s last film “The Old Man and the Gun”), remade “Pete’s Dragon” into a live action version in 2016, but otherwise would not be a first choice to insert whimsy into a fantasy adventure.

Despite the spectacular visual effect of turning Captain Hook’s pirate ship around in mid-air, using Tinkerbell’s pixie dust, the movie is woefully short on magic. The massive crocodile’s CGI terror reign is dialed to 11 and may scare young viewers.

The use of the Faroe Islands as Neverland is interesting, and there’s plenty of craggy rocks to explore, with Tiger Lily galloping on her horse for more natural interactions.

Yari Shahidi as Tinkerbell

It starts promisingly, for Wendy doesn’t want to go to boarding school and is having fun with swordplay with her two younger brothers, and they are swept away far from the comforts of home.

But the movie fumbles in trying to keep that momentum going, bogged down in realistic, anxiety-producing predicaments. Even comedian Jim Gaffigan as Smee can’t liven the proceedings.

Surprisingly, Peter Pan himself is a far less appealing character than usual, with not so much energetic bravado, but sulkier. (And really, is arrested development all that attractive?) Alexander Molony is the leader of the Lost Boys, his inexperience as an actor evident.

Wendy is far spunkier. As played by Ever Anderson, the mini-me daughter of actress Milla Jovovich, she is assertive and plucky, and not going to let the boys have all the fun.

The females fare better than the guys, for Yara Shahidi is a sparkling fairy as make-things-happen Tinkerbell, and Alyssa Wapanatâhk is a feisty Tiger Lily.

Inevitably anchored to the origin story, “Peter Pan and Wendy” doesn’t break from the mold in a satisfying way, and fails to maintain interest through its 1 hour, 46 minutes run time.

“Peter Pan and Wendy” is a 2023 fantasy-adventure directed by David Lowery and starring: Jude Law, Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Yara Shahidi and Jim Gaffigan. It is rated PG for violence, peril, and thematic elements and the runtime is 1 hour, 46 minutes. It began streaming on Disney Plus on April 28. Lynn’s Grade: C-

By Lynn Venhaus
With all its sophisticated and dazzling, detailed animation, “Raya and the Last Dragon” demonstrates what computer-generated graphic images can accomplish. The next-level panoramas and sweeping vistas are stunning visuals by Disney Animation Studios.

An ancient civilization inhabits Kumandra, but warring factions have fractured the land into five desolate areas. Legend has it that one dragon lives and warrior Raya is determined to find it, hoping that unity can happen in the realm. But saving the world will take more than teamwork.

Yet, for all that technical advancement, the tone is not consistent, and the storytelling suffers because it is such a familiar Disney template: Be Yourself, Be Kind to Others, Fight for the Common Good, Strive to Live in Harmony with People Who Aren’t Like You and Appreciate Family.

Not that those aren’t lofty ideals, but with multiple directors and eight story contributors, there isn’t a singular vision pushing us into new territory.

As a champion of female empowerment stories, I liked the fierce Raya, a more evolved warrior princess in the mold of Mulan and Moana. 

As Raya, Kelly Marie Tran is the right blend of confidence and concern, grieving for what once was when her benevolent father Benja (Daniel Dae Kim) was alive.

Screenwriters Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim created a few characters strictly along for good humor: Tuk Tuk, a roly poly creature that Raya uses as a vehicle, which of course is voiced by Disney iron man Alan Tudyk; lovable lug Tong (Benedict Wong); plucky restaurateur Boun (Izaac Wang); and Little Noi (Thalia Tran), a precocious baby accompanied by a trio of curious monkeys.

But the conflict with friend-turned-enemy Namaari (Gemma Chan) seems forced, although the sword fights are well-staged.

While the voice cast is strong, the hands-down star is Awkwafina as the dragon Sisu, who can shift-shape into a female. She is glib and self-deprecating, like all good sidekicks are.

My issue with Sisu is she looks like a unicorn drawn by Lisa Frank on a ‘90s lunchbox. The silvery-blue dragon with the big Keane eyes seems out of place among the realistic animated adventures.

 That said, there is an emotional payoff that sums up the story neatly. However, this film is not intended for very young audience.

Us Again

If seeing it in a theater, don’t miss the accompanying vivacious animated short, “Us Again,” which is another home run from the Mouse House.

Director-writer Zach Parrish has created a vibrant cityscape for this delightful dance down memory lane. In this 7-minute short, an elderly couple rekindle their zest for life and each other, reverting to their youthful selves, as they dance through a big city on one magical rainy night.

World of Dance champions Keone and Mari Madrid are the choreographers/dancers in this animated musical fantasy and Pinar Toprak has composed a lively pulsating rhythm. The joy is palpable.

“Us Again” is set for debut on Disney Plus in June.

“Raya and the Last Dragon” is an animated adventure fantasy from Disney Animation Studios. It stars Awkwafina, Kelly Marie Tran, Daniel Dae Kim, Gemma Chan, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Alan Tudyk. The run-time is 1 hour, 47 minutes, and the rating is PG for some violence, action and thematic elements. Lynn’s Grade: B. In theaters and as premier access on Disney Plus beginning March 5.