The more I think about this movie, the more the rating drops in my mind. I like the setting, I like the set up of the wish granting system, and I like most of the characters. The location and backstory give a logical way to have a diverse cast (and diverse personalities to boot). I genuinely want to see more of Asha's friends if ever shorts or shows are inspired from this movie.
The trouble, however, is that everything else about this movie bogs down those features.
First and foremost, the villain is weak. His motivation is weak, his villain song is weak, his morality is weak- this man took one look at a potential rival and crumbled from Good King to Villain so fast it makes your head spin. The sad thing is that the way this movie starts and seems coded (in his backstory and relationship with his wife), he seems like a great candidate to being like the antagonists of other recent Disney films; where they are antagonists but not villains, and come to realize the error of their ways. It seemed almost obvious that his wife and Asha would somehow knock sense into him and remind him of his life's work and purpose. Instead... I don't know, the writers really wanted to make him evil no matter the level of illogic against his backstory.
The other issue is that the songs are forgettable. I watched it last night, and I already don't recall the melody of any songs. Some had good imagery, I certainly liked the notion of 'we are all made of stardust' to explain the star connection (they didn't word it like that exactly, but I'm aware of the sentiment); but... I can't tell you how the melody of even that song goes. They are genuinely forgettable songs and that's such a shame (and a shock, considering this is Disney).
Now, this is a personal headcanon disappointment than anything, but I had really hoped that this movie would hit harder with a a sentiment of "not every wish should be granted". Some wishes really ARE problematic, and the King is right to say so, so I figured that maybe the Star would try to grant wishes and Asha would realize that the King was right to an extent - and the two could then meet somewhere in the middle about these feelings. Basically a vibe like Starkid's Disney parody song "Dream a Little Harder". This is a nitpick, but I suppose it can translate to me not fully agreeing to the movie's 'moral of the story'.
The trouble, however, is that everything else about this movie bogs down those features.
First and foremost, the villain is weak. His motivation is weak, his villain song is weak, his morality is weak- this man took one look at a potential rival and crumbled from Good King to Villain so fast it makes your head spin. The sad thing is that the way this movie starts and seems coded (in his backstory and relationship with his wife), he seems like a great candidate to being like the antagonists of other recent Disney films; where they are antagonists but not villains, and come to realize the error of their ways. It seemed almost obvious that his wife and Asha would somehow knock sense into him and remind him of his life's work and purpose. Instead... I don't know, the writers really wanted to make him evil no matter the level of illogic against his backstory.
The other issue is that the songs are forgettable. I watched it last night, and I already don't recall the melody of any songs. Some had good imagery, I certainly liked the notion of 'we are all made of stardust' to explain the star connection (they didn't word it like that exactly, but I'm aware of the sentiment); but... I can't tell you how the melody of even that song goes. They are genuinely forgettable songs and that's such a shame (and a shock, considering this is Disney).
Now, this is a personal headcanon disappointment than anything, but I had really hoped that this movie would hit harder with a a sentiment of "not every wish should be granted". Some wishes really ARE problematic, and the King is right to say so, so I figured that maybe the Star would try to grant wishes and Asha would realize that the King was right to an extent - and the two could then meet somewhere in the middle about these feelings. Basically a vibe like Starkid's Disney parody song "Dream a Little Harder". This is a nitpick, but I suppose it can translate to me not fully agreeing to the movie's 'moral of the story'.
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