Disney’s “Wish,” touted as the company’s hundredth-anniversary capstone, has not lived up to expectations. As someone who has spent years reviewing films, we can say that this PG animated movie, which should have been a celebration of Disney’s illustrious history, fell flat in many ways. Despite its hefty $200 million budget, the film barely managed to muster $240.3 million at the box office and has been critically panned, scoring a mere 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. This leads many to wonder, was “Wish” written by AI?
The Critics’ Take
From respected critics to casual viewers, the consensus on “Wish” has been overwhelmingly negative. The Guardian described it as a “messy escapist fantasy,” barely concealing a “Disney marketing exercise,” and criticized its soundtrack as “unhummable.”
Such a harsh critique is quite a blow for a franchise known for its memorable music. The movie centers on Asha, a 17-year-old girl who makes a wish on a falling star, resulting in an anthropomorphic ball of light descending from the sky.
Audience Reactions
Average moviegoers have been equally unimpressed. One Rotten Tomatoes user lamented, “What happened to original storytelling?” This sentiment captures the core of the criticism. “Wish” seems to lack the originality that once defined Disney’s animations. Instead, it feels like a collection of recycled ideas and tired tropes, leading some to speculate that the film might as well have been written by AI.
The Familiar Formula
The film’s reliance on tried-and-true Disney formulas is glaringly obvious. Elements from popular hits like “Frozen,” “Moana,” and “Toy Story” are heavily borrowed, making “Wish” feel more like a patchwork quilt of past successes rather than a new creation.
This over-reliance on familiar plot structures has led to accusations of the movie being “soulless and algorithmic.” A YouTube video titled “Um… Did AI Write Disney’s Wish???” has gone viral, amassing over 2.2 million views and sparking further debate.
Lack of Originality
The main issue with “Wish” isn’t just that it’s bad; it’s that it’s painfully mediocre. The film introduces unremarkable characters and features musical numbers that are forgettable at best.
In a bid to recapture the magic of previous hits, Disney has ended up with a product that feels artificial and uninspired. As one viral video aptly put it, “The film actively relies on overdone Disney tropes without recapturing any of their magic.”
Scrapped Potential
Interestingly, production art and scrapped plot points released to the public hint at a more imaginative storyline. Originally, the film was to feature an evil power couple as the main antagonists and a romantic subplot involving Asha and a “star boy.”
These elements were discarded in favor of a more conventional narrative, resulting in a generic villain and a marketable “chibi” style star friend for Asha. This shift towards safer, more marketable choices robbed “Wish” of its creative potential.
The Bigger Picture
“Wish” is a wake-up call for Disney executives. Audiences are growing tired of formulaic plot structures and recycled ideas. The film’s failure highlights the need for a balance between leveraging past successes and pushing creative boundaries. However, with four out of five of Disney’s upcoming animated films being sequels, it remains to be seen if the company will take this lesson to heart.
Was “Wish” Written by AI?
“Wish” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of over-reliance on familiar formulas. While it’s easy to speculate that the film might have been written by AI, the real issue lies in Disney’s strategy of playing it safe. To regain its former glory, Disney needs to foster originality and creativity in its future projects. For now, “Wish” stands as a reminder that sometimes, even the most carefully calculated productions can miss the mark.
Was “Wish” written by AI? While the answer is likely no, the film’s lackluster execution certainly makes it feel that way. As the company moves forward, it must learn to balance its rich legacy with fresh, innovative ideas to captivate audiences once again.