By Margaret Rose Tipton Siytangco

When you wish upon a star.

These words have always been true for all of us. It has been a mantra of hope and whimsy for generations. Sooner or later, everyone turns to the stars to make a wish or a prayer, and that feeling of expectation is the essence of Disney Studios' latest animated offering, aptly titled WISH. 

And in celebration of Disney’s 100th year, this movie is literally a nostalgic trip down memory lane. In essence, it is an easter egg hunt of your favorite childhood movies, all wrapped in a beautiful story.

It will take you a moment or two before you realize that the entire movie is composed of well-loved characters, all disguised (or not so much), making each moment of recognition erupt like fireworks in your heart. If you love finding easter eggs in movies, get out your notepad and clicker because WISH is chock full of references, callbacks, and hidden little details.

I am, without a doubt, a Disney lover. And to me, this movie is a love story between Walt Disney and myself. It is a gift that will never stop giving. You realize you don’t want the story to end the longer you watch. And thankfully, in real life, It doesn’t.

In the magical kingdom of Rosas, the citizens give their wishes to King Magnifico, their ruler and protector (voiced by Chris Pine). On a side note, he also happens to be the handsomest villain Disney has ever given us. He rules the island and is the caretaker and granter of their wishes. Or so it seems, as Asha (Ariana DeBose), our idealistic heroine, finds out otherwise. This is where the timeless “when you wish upon a star” comes in, as one night, Asha makes a wish, and the star comes down to make wishes come true. But of course, this is done, not without a fight.

As you can imagine, it is at this point where the magic happens. You’ll encounter a host of Disney cliches, such as talking animals and magic pixie dust, but all done not as a joke for laughs, but as a celebration of the Disney tradition. You’ll recognize who Asha’s friends are. You see familiar characters, animals, movemens, objects, phrases, costumes, and mannerisms. If you love your Disney, you will love this movie. As every revelation is like a gift being unwrapped.

Gifts from Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Bambi and Sleeping Beauty (just to name a few) are seen all over the place. If you only know where to look.

All Disney animated films come standard with a set of earworm songs, and here WISH comes prepared with the catchy opening number The City of Rosas, setting up the film much in the same vein as Beauty and the Beast’s Bonjour or Encanto’s The Family Madrigal. Chris Pine gets his own solo in This is the Thanks I Get and of course there’s the main single, Wish, brilliantly sung by Broadway veteran DeBose.

But the best message of all…the best gift of all, comes at the end credits. What a WISH come true! It affects us all to this day. What a heart-tugging moment. And so I end this and make this wish…that there will always be something more from Disney.