#wishes: a magical gathering of Disney dreams

[disneyparktournament]

Round 1

East coast:

[natalyarose]

𝒥𝓊𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒩𝒶𝓀𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓈 & 𝒢𝑒𝓃𝒾𝑒𝓈 🧞✨💐✩

I've always thought Jupiter ruled Nakshatras (Punarvasu, Vishakha, & Purvabhadprada) to be veryy magical with their themes of limitlessness, expansion, sheer spiritual abundance & power. I'm not sure if it has been talked about before, but something that always comes to mind when I envision Jupiterian Nakshatras or meet heavily Jupiter influenced people, is the concept of genies.

Jupiter's abundance and endlessly giving nature is known to be a blessing and a curse. A Jupiterian can be the sweet, generous, selfless friend who is there when you need them; providing you endless support, refuge & material generosity.

The dark side of this inherently generous 'wish-fulfilling' nature of Jupiter Nakshatras, is the possibility that they enable dark behaviours in others & themselves. Always saying yes, always being available and endlessly giving to the wrong type of cause or person, can make you complicit in the crime so to speak, even if the intention is simply to give, or give chances (Punarvasu's themes of second chances, 'return to the light'). Jupiter Nakshatras entail hugeee lessons regarding purpose (Vishakha, 'the Star of Purpose') & being intentional and wise as to how you use your power and influence (the infamous test of character in Purvabhadrapada 'the man with two faces').

These Jupiterian themes have always made me think of genies- wish fulfilling creatures who are inherently unable to say no to the wishes uttered to them. Having to just sit and watch people wish for dreadful things and just go... 'as you wish'. Obviously in real life, there really is a choice not to feed into others' and ones own toxic patterns but with Jupiterians, the urge to give, to be constantly available to others, can almost feel like it's not a choice. It's energetically intertwined in their make-up.

I would love to gather more examples, but it's 3am here and this was a bit of a spur of the moment thing I had to get out haha- I looked into a few of the most prominent 'genie' roles in movies and as I suspected, every single one features an actor/actress with strong Jupiter influence.

Jeannie from 60s sitcom 'I dream of Jeannie' - actress, Barbara Eden has Punarvasu Ascendant

Kazaam from 90s comedic film 'Kazaam' - actor/basketball player Shaquille O'Neal has Purvabhadrapada Sun

Genie from Disney's Aladdin - played in the live action movie by Will Smith, Vishakha Moon.

This genie theme really makes me think of all of the Jupiterian Nakshatras, but Vishakha especially. A friend of mine who is a Vishakha stellium always tells me about how it is said that Vishakha has the ability to generate 'instant karma'. So Vishakha natives to an extent greater than other Nakshatras will receive the raw manifested result of their thoughts/actions veryy quickly. Much like a genie granting instant wishes.

I was going to mention also that the whole genie archetype also reminds me of Rohini a bit- the wish-fulfilling aspect, the element of fulfilling desires without shame/inhibition. It's a little different in nature, but Rohini Nakshatra's got a similar theme where the native is incredibly nurturing of who or what sets their heart on fire, sometimes to a fault. Rohini is capable of immense growth but can forgo morality/practicality for the sake of immersion in the process of creation & sparking joy. Rohini's philosophy is something along the lines of 'let go of judgement because judgement inhibits creation and disrupts purity'. This is very true, but of course as humans on the divided and dense Earthly plane, we know that having a sense of judgement & boundaries is also important.

That was very wordy, but hopefully y'all see what I'm getting at lol. Although I'm more inclined to associate Rohini with wise old wizard dudes with cool beards & mad but genius scientists lol.

Back to Jupiterians-

I believe that Jupiter Nakshatra's 'remedy' is to eventually realise that they are not a slave to their giving nature, and the power lies in them to decide, & give only to a person, dream, goal or cause that truly is aligned with their own soul's path. Break free from the shackles lol- with wisdom hopefully. Without that element of wisdom, Jupiter can run wild with that discovered power.

Jupiterians struggling with discernment is why Jupiter Nakshatras oppose Venusian Nakshatras (Bharani opposes Vishakha; Purvaphalguni opposes Purvabhadrapada; Purvashadha opposes Punarvasu). Venus masters the fine art of 'necessary cruelty' sometimes ya gotta rip out the weeds, warn off the pigeons and trim the rose bush to make your garden a beautiful, pleasant, luxurious place. Jupiter can struggle with this, instinctively wanting to be a safe space for everyone and everything.

Jupiter ruled Nakshatras also partially oppose Solar Nakshatras (Krittika, Uttaraphalguni & Uttarashadha) illustrating the Jupiterian struggle with putting oneself first. Solar Nakshatras keep their energy strong and vibrantly resounding at their core; wheras Jupiter Nakshatras are kinda messy with their energy (lol, not necessarily in a bad way)- they disperse their energy everywhere, giving & giving. Both Solar & Jupiter Nakshatras deal with themes of limitless reserves energy, but in opposite, contrasting ways.

There's so much I could write about Jupiterians, I love Jupiter energy very much. I really love all of the Nakshatras lol, I mean how could you not? Every Nakshatra holds teachings that are integral to making the world a better place 💕🪷

Thankyou for reading!

[p-taryn-dactyl]

after midnight

a/n: dw i still am working on all my wips but i just wanted to show my love for the movie that ruled my childhood! also if there's a certain fairy tale and character you would like me to do i would love to do more of something like this! this is the first part, but the others have been written already, lemme know if y'all would like me to continue posting for this word count: 2.5k warning(s): the evil stepmother is NOT cunty in this guys (rip cate blanchett); the step sisters are definitely not girls girls; everyone is gay; if you know the story you know; but im also going to add aspects from one of the non-disney versions; mentions of blood (small but at the beginning); not an exact retelling, more like cinderella is a blueprint? prompt: you never thought that you would go from cleaning fireplaces and singing to mice to dancing in the royal palace in a magical disguise, meeting the love of your life. or, a cinderella story <3

The needle pricked your finger, sending droplets of blood spilling onto the fine fabric. You watched as the red seeped into the green, mesmerized by how the blood ran quick. How you wished you could be as free, as quick as you ran. But your father built this house, his hopes and dreams were buried deep into the foundations, no matter how much your step-mother tried to erase his memory. She loved his money but cringed at his legacy.

"Y/N? Gods, where is that wretched girl?" Your stepmother's voice echoed up the stairs to the attic where you resided. Quickly, you folded the cloth over, hiding the spot of blood staining the rich emerald fabric. You were mending an evening gown of your stepmother, one she had snagged on a splinter of wood while evading your requests of new fabrics. Your clothes were quickly becoming patchwork quilts and even though you rarely left your attic space, you were desperate to sew a dress that you could feel proud of. Your door burst open, revealing Valentina, the woman who's presence seemed to make your room grow colder. Her eyes narrowed in on the dress in your lap and she scoffed, hand clutching the handle of the attic door tightly, as if speaking to you was a burden.

"Are you still working on that? Whatever, the fireplace needs tending to," She spun around to go back downstairs, obviously signaling you to follow, "Oh, and be mindful, the dressmaker is here, don't get soot on any of her fabrics."

Valentina's tone was haughty, as if even when she couldn't see you, she spoke looking down upon you. You merely nodded, gently folding the dress on your bed and following your step-mother down the stairs. Making sure to keep your head down, you passed Valentina, heading towards the main fire place, where burnt logs sat and ash blanketed the stone like snow. You internally sighed, knowing how this task would end. Grabbing a rag, you sat on your knees as you started gathering the loose ash and kindling, mindful of the sparks that still lingered. The voices of Valentina's daughters wafted into the room like a burnt goose pie, making your stomach uneasy as you braced yourself for the comments they would surely make. Thankfully, you heard the voice of Shuri, the acclaimed dressmaker, mingling with theirs, gently shutting down their absurd ideas. While your curiousity spun around in your mind, furiously wondering why your step-mother had called on Shuri, someone who only made dresses for the most extravagant of occasions. She also had extravagant prices, prices you weren't sure how your step-mother would repay.

"We can do measurments in here, ignore Y/N, she'll be doing her chores." Valentina absentmindedly waved in your direction, sitting on the stool farthest from you. Shuri nodded in hello, giving you a small smile which you returned. The basket she carried was full of fabric samples and measuring strands, grabbing your attention with the expensive items she so leisurley held. As your step-sisters argued, Shuri gave you her attention, her question making you pause as you cleaned the fireplace.

"Are you also going to the ball, Y/N? I'm sure I have the creativity to quickly sketch a fourth dress." Shuri joked, not noticing how your hands shook as you continued your task. There was a ball? And your stepmother was commisioning dresses for herself and her daughters in front of you, flaunting the knowledge you didn't have. While you could care less about a ball, you were bothered by how little you knew of the outside world, of the town you loved so much. Something clicked in your mind as you thought, lifting your head to turn and begin to ask your stepmother a question but her voice cut through the air.

"Unless Y/N somehow cleans the entire house top-to-bottom until it shines and sorts our mixed grain into like piles in time for the royal ball, I don't think she'll be needing your services, Miss Adanna. Besides, the queen is hosting this ball so her daughter may find a spouse, what use would she have of a serving girl?"

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"This isn't a request! You must marry!" Evanora's stern voice echoed through the throne room, practically rattling the armour of her guards. She glared at her daughter who stood before her, hair down and wild from horseback. Agatha stared back, arms crossed and head held defiantly.

"For what reason? The kingdom is prospering, the people are happy and for the most part well fed, and we've no news of our enemies to the south! Why must I marry, Mother?" At the purple wisps gathering at her fingertips, Agatha anticipated her mother's response. The queen bunched her hands into fists, her jaw clenched as she spoke.

"You know the reason, daughter. Your...studies have put you in a very precarious position and the curse will solidify on your next birthday. Plus, it won't hurt to erase the image people have of you, with your escapades and trysts that bring embarassment into my court."

Agatha merely scoffed, uncrossing her arms as she held them out incrediously.

"If you've forgotten, Mother, my birthday is at the end of this month. And the curse you speak of can only be broken by unconditional love, something you wouldn't know about." Agatha spit out her words like venom, hopeful they would affect her mother in any way. But the Queen merely watched her daughter with cold eyes, waving her messanger up to the throne. The man gave a crooked bow to Agatha as he passed her, scroll in hand. Evanora took the scroll with a nod, dismissing the man. He scurried out of the large room, footfalls echoing in the silence. The Queen waved the announcement in the air, almost tauntingly, before she opened and began reading out loud.

"The Crown formally invites you to partake in the debutante ball for Crown Princess and Heir Agatha of House Harkness. Our home will be open for three nights as our beloved Princess searches for a partner to strengthen the bonds of our kingdom."

The Queen put down the scroll, letting it fall to the ground as she smirked at her daughter.

"You'll have three nights to find this unconditional love or the consequences you'll face will doom the lives of everyone you hold dear."

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The thought of leaving the house, if only for a few nights, ate away at your mind, distracting you from your chores. Shuri had long left, your stepmother and stepsisters measurements and requests for last minute additions scribbled on a notepad you were sure she wanted to burn. But before she left, she grabbed a package from her carriage, giving it you once Valentina and her daughters had already gone inside. Inside, you found fabric, soft and beautiful. The shimmering pink shade reminded you of your mother and how she decorated the house before she died.

"I'm sorry it's not much but I've seen your work Y/N, if they won't have me make you a dress, I believe you can bring your own dream to life." Shuri clasped your hands in hers in a goodbye, her kindness overwhelming you, bringing tears to your eyes. However, at the screams of your stepsisters for tea, your bubble was burst and you made your way inside, careful to keep the package out of Valentina's sight, hiding it under a loose floorboard in the kitchen before you started the afternoon tea. Anya, the eldest of the two stepsisters, practiced her dancing, stumbling into the couches and lounge chairs as she held a candlestick in place of the Crown Princess. Damille, the stepsister close to you in age by a few months, scoffed at her sister and mockingly danced, starting a fight between the two sisters. You kept your laughter to yourself, remembering the sting of Valentina's hand when you reacted to her daughters antics the first week after your father's passing. While you waited for the water to boil, you prepared the tea leaves, grabbing a lemon to slice and squeezing the tart juice over the dry leaves. Your mind wandered once again to the idea of going to a ball. A royal ball. While you had never truly seen the royal family, you recalled the portrait of the heir you had once seen in the library of your town. You felt heat rise to your face as you recalled the childlike crush you had on the Crown Princess, shaking your head as you pouring the now boiling water into three teacups, careful to avoid splashing the water onto your skin. Once the liquid turned into a pale yellow-green shade, you strained out the leaves and prepared a tray with the cups, a bowl of sugar cubes, and some milk for Damille, who prefered her tea tart with no sugar. You walked into the sitting room, setting the tea down in front of your stepmother. While you prepared it the way she enjoyed, you attempted to ask her a question.

"Stepmother, may I accompany you to the Royal Ball? It would cost you no expense, I can make my own dress-"

Valentina's laugh cut you off.

"With the scraps you have? I will not be seen in public with someone is a patchwork excuse for a dress, at a royal ball no less. Besides you have chores." Even though she waved her hand through the air, indicating the conversation was over, you continued, feeling slightly desperate at a chance to taste freedom.

"I can get the chores done in time, the house is never truly dirty, and I could wear one of my mother's old-"

It was Valentina's cold stare that stopped you from continuing. Something clicked in her eyes and she brought up her tea to take a sip, reveling in your tense body language. Slowly she set her tea back onto the china plate, the soft clink the only noise as you and her daughters awaited her answer.

"If you can create a dress, a new dress, that isn't embarassing for my family and if you can complete the chore of mucking the stables before the first night of the ball, you may accompany us. But," she held a finger almost accusingly in your face, "You will not speak to anyone of any status while there."

There was something in her tone, something you couldn't quite place but her agreement overshadowed any caution you could've had. You practically danced out of the room, patterns for your dress spinning in your mind.

You didn't notice the look your step-mother shared with her daughters as you left, an evil glint shining in their eyes.

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Agatha walked around the library, absentmindly running her fingers across the spines of every book as she was lost in thought.

The curse was her fault, yes, but she would never admit her mother was right. She would admit, however, that her stunt of gaining power in hope of overthrowing her mother was done in haste. If she had read the fine print maybe she wouldn't be in this position. She silently scolded herself as she saw a slight purple haze cover her vision as magic pooled in her eyes.

She had three nights, three, to find someone who could potential help her break the curse she put upon herself. Blinking away the haze, Agatha looked down at her hands, her black fingertips fading into dark grey veins up to her elbow. The words her mother spoke to her the night the curse was solidified rang in her head as she followed her unearthly veins with her eyes.

How could anyone love someone like her?

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You leaned against the tree your parents had planted the night of their wedding, tears streaming down your face as you clutched onto the scraps of your dress. You had slaved over this garment, days were spent tending to your stepmothers every word but nights were spent hunched over with a needle as you sewed a dress you had dreamed of. A dream that was nothing now. You were raised to be kind to all but as you recalled the event of this night, you felt hatred bubble in your chest.

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Excitement was all you could feel as you slipped into your dress, proud of your work. You had finished mucking out the stables hours ago, giving you time to wash the stink away from your skin and hair. Pride welled in you as you smoothed the fabric with your hands, opening your attic door to join your step-mother and step-sisters as they waited for the coach that would take you to the palace.

"Mother, look!" Anya practically shouted as you walked down the stairs, covering her smirking expression with a fan. Valentina spread her arms out in what you would learn to be false affection. Wrapping an arm around your shoulders, your step-mother examined your dress, pursing her lips. Quickly, the excitment you felt died like a dwindling fire as your step sisters joined their mother in circling you.

"Oh Y/N, I just don't think this'll work. This design is just...it has too many faults. Here, let us help."

Your confusion was replaced by cold shock as Valentina's hand shot out to rip part of your sleeve off. Anya followed, grabbing part of the skirt to pull on the seams. Damille's was the worst, using both hands to create a distance between the bodice and the top of your skirt. You stood frozen, tears streaming down your face angrily as they continued to destroy your hard work. It was over the second the familiar sound of horses sounded outside.

You don't remember what Valentina said to you before she left, or the snide remarks her daughters added on. All you remember was running, running through the house, running across the backyard into the open land where your parents tree stood proud.

And that's where you found yourself.

"How could you be so stupid?" You muttered to yourself as you wiped away tears, angry for allowing yourself to believe your step-mother could ever show you kindness. In your wallowing, you didn't notice how the ground in front of the tree started to swirl, how the wind changed directions, how a slight humming noise filled the air.

"Now why are you crying when you should be at the ball?" A slightly cocky voice spoke in front of you, unfamiliar yet comforting. Your head shot up and your eyes widened at the sight in front of you. A woman, wearing a sparling cloak stood expectantly, hand on her hip while the other held a wand. Blinking, you stuttered out a response.

"I, I can't go. They ruined my dress and my stepmother would recognize me. I don't want to deal with the aftermath."

The sparkling woman held out her wand, pointing it at you.

"I'm not too fond of this 'can't' business. You have a very obvious fairy godmother standing in front of you, ready to snap her fingers and say a catch phrase I created when I was younger. So tell me, Y/N, do you want to go to the ball?"

Without hesitation, you nodded and your fairy godmother waved her wand.

a/n: whoa cliffhanger, wonder what happens next...but seriously, i love doing AUs like this and I'll focus on getting my other wips out but lemme know if you enjoyed this??

[rubykgrant]

(I've been trying not to be "mean" about Wish, but I was honestly... a little disappointed)

When I first heard the big 100 Disney movie was going to be called "Wish" and feature a star; Oh, maybe it will be something that focuses on the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, and connect to the idea that maybe she's also literally the Second Star to the Right, and her name is Evangeline, the star Ray was in love with from the Princess and the Frog. It might be kinda cool to see how all the Neverland fairies, the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella, and the good fairies in Sleeping Beauty fit in

When I saw a commercial that showed some hints with the actual characters; Oh, maybe it is about a man who found an actual magical star that fell to earth, and he used it to literally grant a wish, but he became corrupted by the power and he started "stealing" more stars, gathering them up and using their magic to impress/control people, so there is a whole city where everybody's wishes come true, but they don't know it hurts the magical stars, until one escapes and a girl has to keep it safe and rescue the others, the city has to give up having their wishes granted, but learn a lesson about how sometimes you have to make your own dreams come true with effort, and even if it just isn't possible, they still have friends who help them

When I finally saw the movie; Oh... it is actually way more complicated than that... and nothing about the other movies are really "connected", just some jokes thrown in... why does it feel like it took a long time but nothing happened

[imagitory]

Yes, I know, I'm shocked too -- but once again, it seems, I have to talk about Disney's Wish. Truthfully, this entire analysis was one I never set out to write, but I felt like I had to after having a really good conversation with my mum about this deleted scene featuring Asha's grandpa, Sabino; the sentiment expressed by some Disney fans that its inclusion would've helped fix the film; and even the purported perspective that the development team was deeply unhappy about the corporate decision to cut it.

So first off -- do I think this scene is that magical missing piece that would've fixed Wish? Not exactly. I do think that Sabino putting the idea of wishes being worth fighting for into words for Asha that she even could've reprised later while fighting Magnifico could've been very powerful. Just imagine how much stronger the story would've been if Asha had used Sabino's song to rally the town against Magnifico -- not only creating the payoff of Asha making her dear Saba's wish of inspiring people as well as her own wish to make things in Rosas better come true, but ALSO bringing Magnifico's worst fears of rebellion against his rule to life in an ironic twist! But even if including this scene could've improved the film, I don't think it would've fixed everything wrong with its story and characters. It did, however, inspire that really fun conversation with my mum, and we realized together what this scene at least partially provides that the finished film didn't --

A reason to care about the wishes Magnifico hoards away.

When I was in college, I took a screenwriting class, and one of the most important lessons the professor taught us was to give your main character(s) a strong desire and then give your audience three strong, disparate reasons to root for your character in reaching their goal. This way, if one of the reasons doesn't resonate with a member of your audience, maybe another one will. The more reasons you give your character to want to succeed, the more people in your audience are likely to feel for your character's position and support them in their actions.

Let's use Disney-Pixar's absolute masterpiece Finding Nemo as an example, just for kicks. Marlin wants to save his son, Nemo, after he gets captured and taken away by human scuba divers. The audience wants Marlin to succeed because his reasons include --

Love. Marlin loves his son very much and is very protective of him, partly because Nemo has a disability that Marlin worries puts him at particular risk being on his own.

Past trauma. As seen in the prologue of the film, Marlin lost the entire rest of his family to a horrific barracuda attack that also resulted in injuring Nemo while he was still an egg, so Nemo is the only family Marlin has left.

Guilt. Marlin feels responsible for what happened to Nemo, because they were in the midst of a fight about Marlin's helicopter parenting when Nemo put himself so close to the human boat and got captured.

The thought process behind this writing trick is that you want your audience to care about what your character is working toward. This is how you get an audience really emotionally invested in their struggles and story, and it also helps define who the character is as a person, understanding not just what they want, but seeing the lengths they'll go to in order to chase that desire. And this is what Wish seems to understand symbolically, but not enough to use this knowledge while shaping its screenplay or characters.

In the finale of the film, all of the people in Rosas whose wishes were taken can still gather enough "stardust" or "magic" or "dreaming whatever" to defeat Magnifico without them. The magic is inside of them, even without the contents of the bubbles Magnifico took from them -- because our wishes, dreams, and ambitions come from who we are, as people. They're a piece of us -- they're informed by who we are -- our happy memories, our past scars, our personalities and hobbies and values. What makes dreams coming true so beautiful is seeing someone become a more complete version of themselves through it!

And yet...what do we learn about any of these characters that tie into these wishes and why it's so important their wishes be returned and/or granted? What visually communicates that these wishes are so integral to these people's personalities and souls that they're a pale shadow of who they used to be without them? What emotional justification is there for anyone to care if Rosas's citizens achieve these flights of fancy? Are there any real stakes or grave consequences if those wishes aren't granted?

Why do we care if this one lady wishes she could fly, or this other one wants to make dresses? What do we care if this one person wants to sail a ship and travel the world? This one guy wants to climb a mountain or something, but...so what? We don't know any of them from Adam! The film tells us that these wishes are really important to these people, but we don't get any emotional reasons to be invested in whether or not these people's individual wishes come true.

Even characters we do meet like Simon -- what about him made him want to be a knight? Where did that wish come from, in his character? Was it fueled by misguided patriotism? A desire for glory? Being bullied as a child and wanting to prevent others from going through the same thing? We have no idea! Imagine how much more Simon's "betrayal" scene would've hurt if we'd gotten to know Simon as this dreamy, idealistic person who grew up reading fairy tales about knights bravely protecting their kingdom and being heralded for it, only for that wish to be twisted by Magnifico to make Simon serve his king blindly with no free will of his own. Imagine how much more interesting of a character Simon would've been if there had been real context behind that wish he'd made and given up, and how much more interesting his relationships with his friends could've been as a result.

What about Asha's mother? Her wish is treated as incredibly important in the film, since Asha tries to steal it from Magnifico like she did Sabino's and Asha and her family react with such upset when Magnifico crushes it, and yet we never once learn what the wish even was. Even when the wish is reformed and returned to Asha's mother, we STILL never learn what it was and by extension what it meant to her mom and why it was a bad thing that it got crushed. Why should we believe this wish of Asha's mum's is so important if we never even learn what it is? Because the film said it's important? In the immortal words of Will Turner,

(source)

Just look at Joe Gardner in Pixar's Soul. Would you care so much about him wanting to get back to the world of the living if you didn't learn through the film that he'd been dreaming of playing jazz since he was a child and had finally landed this big gig with a jazz band after years of rejection and his own mother never supporting his dream right before dying? Would Joe have connected with 22 the way he had over the course of the story if it weren't for not only his goal, but the character, passions, and world view that fueled his pursuit of that goal in the first place?

My mum, while we had this discussion of ours, put forward her own experience. When she was a young woman, she dreamed of having a family of her own: a husband, 2.5 kids, a house with a white picket fence where people could gather together. Over time, though, Mum kind of resigned herself to the reality that it probably wasn't going to happen -- she was pretty solidly focused on her career, she hadn't had much luck in her long-term relationships, and she'd gotten to an age that having her own children was incredibly unlikely. This doesn't mean my mum lost that desire for family -- it's still a part of her, and it informs who she is as a person. She's always taken care of the many cats she's had over the years as if they were her children. She made and has kept life-long friendships with people who've become like siblings to her. She even ended up becoming something like a mother figure for her ex-boyfriend's daughter from a previous marriage, while she and that boyfriend were together. And when I was conceived (pretty miraculously too!), my mum never hesitated for a moment about whether or not she wanted me. Even if my father had chosen not to stand by her and me, she would've pursued that dream of motherhood she'd thought was lost to her all the same.

THIS is what the deleted Sabino scene has that the finished film doesn't, though still in a bite-size amount. The reason the filmmakers give us for why we should care about Sabino's wish (and, one could argue, the town's wishes) is that when his wish is returned to him, it allows Sabino to connect more deeply with his granddaughter and his daughter-in-law through the music he's so passionate about.

The reason we the audience should care about Sabino's wish is the connection he makes with others.

We still don't know where that wish came from in Sabino's character or back-story, and the theme of connection through one's dreams is something that certainly could've been explored more if it had been kept...but for the first time, through this deleted scene, the filmmakers gave us a reason to care about that little magic bubble besides just telling us that they represent a heart's deepest desire and we should want everyone's wishes to come true because wishes are good. (Which honestly has a lot of problems -- the film never even bothers to explore any scenarios where wishes could truly be dangerous or morally wrong to grant, such as a wish to rule this particular kingdom or that this one person will marry you, regardless of their opinion on the matter.)

The song Sabino sings in this scene says that if a wish is powerful enough to fill your heart and make it "close to breaking," then it's one "worth making." But to tell a story worth telling and create characters worth rooting for, you need to show -- not just verbally explain -- why your audience should care.

[selcaby]

So I saw Wish today and … Encanto is going to stay my favourite Disney movie for the foreseeable future.

But I want to talk about the wishes, because I've seen people on here saying that they're lame or vague or just silly. And I kind of agree with that, but I also think it's part of the point.

Take Sabino's wish. He wished to inspire people, apparently with his mandolin playing. We don't know if he wished this when he was 18 or whether he arrived in Rosas later in life and gave up his wish then. But given Magnifico and Amaya don't look very old, I'm guessing they are both older than they look thanks to sorcery, so they could have been ruling since before Sabino was 18. So for the rest of this post I'm going to assume that's the case.

So when Sabino was 18 the dearest wish of his heart was to inspire people with his mandolin playing. And then he gave this wish to Magnifico for safe keeping and forgot all about it. His mandolin's probably been gathering dust for the last 82 years.

Yes, this is an excessively vague wish. But the movie knows that. Magnifico says it: inspire them to do what? And although you can argue he shouldn't use this as a reason not to grant the wish, he's also not wrong.

And this kind of wish? It's the kind I think the creative team would have made themselves. Think about it: they work for Walt Disney Animation Studios, that world-renowned dream factory. I assume they're happy to be there and have passion for the work they do. If you'd asked them at age 18 what they wanted out of life, they'd probably have told you they wanted to be artists, animators, writers, composers ... that they wanted to make art (of some kind, maybe movies, maybe not) that entertained and inspired people. Now imagine someone taking those ambitions away from them, so that they forgot what they even wanted. Would they be making Disney movies now? No, they wouldn't have bothered going to film school or learning animation or whatever they did to get to where they are today. They'd be doing something far less interesting, probably. I imagine them imagining that kind of alternate life and seeing it as a nightmare.

The tragedy of the situation is not that Sabino never had his wish granted. (He still doesn't have it granted in the movie. He just gets to remember what it is.) The tragedy is that by giving it up and forgetting about it, he lost the chance to make it come true by his own efforts. He doesn't regain that chance for another 82 years. That's a long time to live directionless and lacking the drive to be what he once truly wanted. I wonder what he did in the meantime. We know very little about his life, and I do think that's a missed opportunity.

What we got instead was Simon. He's the only one of the teenage posse to be over 18. His friends know that giving his wish to Magnifico changed him, and not for the better. He's become boring (and perpetually sleepy, which might be a sign of depression stemming from his lack of direction in life). His friends don't seem to know what his wish was, but it's not clear whether he just never told them or whether Magnifico's magic made them forget as well. Simon is there to show us what it (theoretically) does to someone when they lose the memory of their wish. I say theoretically because the kingdom still seems to be functioning pretty well, and most people seem unaware of the negative side effects of forgetting one's wish ... but I suppose these things are necessary for the story to work.

This actually reminds me of Delirium by Lauren Oliver, a YA dystopia series where, on reaching adulthood, everyone has a surgical procedure that "cures" them of the ability to love. Afterwards they enter loveless arranged marriages, put in the work to bring up their children purely out of duty, and spend their working lives in jobs they have no passion for, assigned to them by the government. The only people who see anything wrong with this are those who haven't had the procedure yet, or on whom it didn't work. The protagonist is a girl who accepts the system until, not long before she's due to have the procedure, she falls in love. I never finished reading that series, but one thing I liked about it was how it made the effort to show what a society without love could look like and how it could work. Wish could have done with more of that sort of thing.

The woman who has her wish granted? She wants to make the finest clothes in all of Rosas. Since she's going to make them herself, I'm not sure what will make them the finest; does her talent get a magical boost? Isn't that cheating? What's the point of being the best at something if you're not the one doing it? So yeah, I think that wasn't particularly well thought out. They had to show it happening once so we could see what it looked like, but they probably could have picked a better example. (In Encanto, they similarly had to show what it looks like when a child gets a gift the way Mirabel didn't. But they picked a good example: Antonio, who gets the gift of speech with animals, plus a magical room that's a forest full of animals, and who loves this, and immediately makes friends with a bunch of animals who hang out with him for most of the rest of the movie, and spends his time trying to use his gift in ways that might help people, including in ways that affect the plot. For example, his gift is the reason why the rats can rat out Bruno.)

Remember, the wishes don't all get granted at the end. Mainly, people get their wishes returned to them, so they can remember what they were and do their best to make them come true, if they still want to and still can. The queen doesn't grant that woman's wish to fly, but she does introduce her to a man who dreams of building flying machines.

And so what if they're the dorky wishes of teenagers? That's also part of the point. Without their wishes, everyone's development is arrested.

I could complain about how someone really should have seen the problem with this before Asha did, but I need to get off the internet and have dinner. This post is already longer and ramblier than I intended, but never mind; right now I wish for some food, and I'd better make it happen and not forget about it.

[joshuasumter]

My latest, epic poster for 'Joshua Sumter: The Movie!', starring ME and featuring the worlds of Disney.

SYNOPSIS: From minding his own business in our universe to journeying across iconic Disney movies in another, "Joshua Sumter: The Movie!" follows autistic young adult Joshua Sumter (That's me) as he sets off on a magical and multiversal adventure across beloved Disney classics. Joshua, who finds a strange shard piece in our world, finds himself thrust into a whole, new universe based on the magic of Disney where he is forced to find and gather all the pieces of the legendary Wishing Star that's been making the dreams of Disney characters come true for more than 100 years. While pursuing the fragmented pieces through the worlds of Disney, Joshua's journey is a story of action, comedy, romance, and adventure as he travels from the worlds of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Hercules to the worlds of The Emperor's New Groove, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Moana, Frozen II, and (of course) Wish while tangling with an all-star ensemble of beloved Disney Animation characters from the most beloved and famous stories. And if that wasn't crazy enough, powerful, dark forces of Disney Villains are on his tail as they are after the magic of the Wishing Star's pieces. Like moths to a flame, the Disney villains will be drawn to its unleashed power and magic of the star, gaining them new and frightening powers. Soon, the very fabric of the Disney universe could come undone and be hanging in the balance. Can Joshua find all of the pieces before they do and restore the Wishing Star in time? In the tradition of 100 years of Disney and featuring the worlds of your favorite Disney stories and its iconic moments, be prepared to be blown away by an epic multiversal adventure like no other inspired by 'Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (2012-2021)', 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Cosmic Shake', 'The Pagemaster (1994)', 'Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (2010)', 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019)', the 'Fantasmic!' show and much more! Inspired by:

The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (2012) interactive game from Walt Disney World Resort (2/22/2012-1/7/2021)

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (2010)

SpongeBob SquarePants: Cosmic Shake (2023)

My Little Pony: The Manga - A Day in the Life of Equestria Vol. 3 that revolves around racing through space and time on a super-exciting cosmic scavenger hunt through the Ponyverse.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Dragon Ball Xenoverse - in the trope of Fish out of Temporal Water, In the Past, Everyone Will Be Famous, etc., etc.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019)

The Marvel "Heroes Unite" show on Marvel Day at Sea aboard the Disney Dream Cruise that revolves around the Ultimate Multiverser to experience infinite multiverses.

The upcoming Avengers Campus' Multiverse attraction based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse Saga

Disney 100 -- 100 years of stories, 100 years of magic, 100 years of Disney

Adaptation Amalgamation, Crossover Alternate Universe, etc., etc.

The Fantasmic! show from Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The Pagemaster (1994)

Spider-Verse: Spider-Zero (Collects Spider-Verse (2019) Issues 1-6) by Jed MacKay, Ryan North, Taran Killam, and Christos Gage, where Miles Morales finds himself at the center of a multiversal adventure.

[brunhielda]

Because apparently this account is now for random movie rambles as I rewatch films for the 100th time-

A watch through of Princess and the Frog:

Anyone else think it is hella suspicious that someone wanted that sugar mill only after she wanted to buy it?

- After the movie was done, it was explained to me by friends that this is a common scam to squeeze more money, especially targeted against POC potential buyers. No one else was bidding, they just wanted more money. My child brain just didn’t fit that together the first couple watch throughs- I mean, they clearly still had it for sale a long time later in order to be threatened at the end of the film… assholes.

Gathering a group of travelers by appealing to thier dreams is a very American story, Ala Wizard of Oz- the idea of the individual goals. This is Naveen, Tiana, and Louis. But then comes Ray, who is just trying to be helpful. That feels more old world, and he leads them to the old world magic- the woman of power in the wilderness. :)

Lawrence was frightened by the idea of a controlling wife, while Naveen was impressed with a well thrown book, and Tiana had dreams that included showing all the boys how it’s done. And her friend is very commandeering, and the object of all the men. There’s a theme of strong women and respect for them here- which makes sense. 1920s fairytales are just out of the Victorian era and the invention of the fairy godmother. And here comes Mama Odie. She even has the mother title.

Naveen and Tiana are so perfect for eachother. Beyond him being ok with her ambition and hustle, she needs his people skills for her resteraunt- you need a front man 😁

First time I can think of in a Disney film that an outside perspective for love song had thier own love to sing about 💘

Every good char in this movie is immediately willing to help someone out, even when- especially when- it inconveniences them. That is how you let your characters be very strong characters, even occasionally overwhelming other characters, and still be good people and likeable. This is how we bond with Lotti, and then Naveen, despite them having domineering personalities.

The way Naveen admires things about Tiana even before he likes her- then when he loves her, the way his face lights up as he watches her.

The wishing star has a name now 🥰✨ Evangeline

Anyone else think froggy Naveen is based a little on John Bob from Swan Princess? Those leg spots look familiar is all I am saying.

Never has good foley hurt so badly as that tiny crunch. 💔🪳

Most important line- “He didn’t get what he wanted, but he had what he needed” was given to her by her mother, who also introduced her to the upper class of town. He mother was so important to this story.

The marrying of Lotty is very “old chivalry” anything for my lady, while the tale itself is very peasant tale of pulling together to get through. As many American tales do, you gotta get ALL the tropes in there. 🪄

Ray is such a well designed character. He is wise, and has common sense, and allies and skills, and LIGHT to oppose the shadows- and they balance it by making him small and fragile. Is… is he the wizard of the party? Not nessisarily in the DND way that is very academically type, but in the LOTR classic fantasy way, that makes one member of the group to be the big support to everyone else, but can also be fridged when needed. 😅🥲 Brings wisdom and all else you need but destined to go out ina blaze of glory???

Happy that his parents seemed to be- “finally someone took him in hand” and could care less about her social position.

First time this white girl heard Neo was sitting through the credits of this film in the theaters. Still love his music. 🎶

[johnychen]

Wishes A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks Full Show HD Walt ...

[rileydaisy]

(I took the lyrics from the Disney movie Wish song "Welcome to Rosas" and made it into a song about the Kingdom of Heaven.)

First Verse.

🎶Welcome to Heaven, a Magical place 🎶

Where a million Angels are all gathered here.

There's no other Kingdom that's full of surprises where your dreams and your reality can collide.

You wanna dance or sing, take to the sky like Doves in the spring.

You wanna pray all day, well hey you've come to the perfect place.

(Chorus)

🎶Cause here, in the Kingdom of Heaven, He can turn all your wants and desires into your greatest treasures.

It's Clear, in the Kingdom of Heaven, it's unlikely that you'll be unhappy with new things to discover.

A home for me, for you, and all of us, The Kingdom of Heaven.🎶

Second Verse.

🎶So like, Everyone here loves Jesus Christ, yeah he is the son of our living God.🎶

A kind-hearted spirit as sweet as a Lamb, but strong and courageous like a Lion as well.

He protects us with his life, we're so happy he's always with us.

Whosoever believes, in him will have eternal life.

Ooh, and

You'll get to meet him, our King, smart and wise

And you'll get to ask him anything

🎵And he'll tell you all that you want to know, and once you find the truth, you too will be saved.

It could be you, just wait, and my family Oh I can't wait.

Is it good?

Are you always happy?

You won't even feel any pain, when you are born again.🎵

(Chorus)

🎶Cause here, In the Kingdom of Heaven He can turn all your wants and desires into your greatest treasures.

It's clear, in the Kingdom of Heaven, it's unlikely that you'll feel unhappy with new things to discover.

A home for me, for you, and all of us, the Kingdom of Heaven.🎶

[snowydreamlight]

Guide: Tips for getting started ❄️⁺₊❅

Straight out of the gate, Disney Dreamlight Valley provides you with countless quests and tasks to keep you busy, and starting out it can be a little overwhelming to know exactly what to do.

This Beginner's Guide will cover all the essentials and will help ensure you know the most important things to focus on as you begin your magical journey!

❄️Here are 7 things I wish I knew before starting Disney Dreamlight Valley:

⟡ Always open clothing packs, furniture packs, and recipes: These are not automatically redeemed and take up a valuable slot in your backpack, so any time you collect one, be sure to go immediately to your inventory and use it to receive the item. ⟡ Work on upgrading your backpack straight away: At the beginning of the game, you don't have many inventory slots, or external places for storage, so it can be difficult choosing what to hold onto and what to discard. ⟡ Talk to everyone: These always increase your Friendship Level with that character and can be done once per day. Check-in every 24 hours with everyone to ensure your relationships with them progress in the right direction, and earn you unique rewards as you do so! ⟡ Hang out with friends often: Once you reach Friendship Level 2 with a character, you can assign them one of a few specific roles. Whichever role you decide to assign to a given character, whenever you decide to do that activity (mining, harvesting, digging, fishing, etc.), be sure to go find that character and request to hang out. This means the character will follow you, partaking in activities will automatically begin raising your Friendship Level with them, and you can even receive additional materials from those activities, simply by having a friend with you. ⟡ Check for Favorite gifts: Whilst you have the option to give a character any item that you have in your inventory, you'll spot that there is a small bar at the bottom of the gifting menu that displays specific items that the character would LOVE to receive. Should you gift them one or more of these items, you receive a sizeable boost to your Friendship Level. ⟡ Avoid selling, start hoarding: Many quests in the game require a diverse range of materials. By hoarding items in advance, you'll be well-prepared to tackle quests without the need for frantic resource-gathering sessions. Efficiency is the key to success! ⟡ Build storage rooms: One secret to success lies in the strategic construction of themed storage rooms. With themed storage rooms, locating and retrieving resources becomes a breeze. No more endless scrolling or searching for that one elusive item! Each room becomes a treasure trove of materials, ensuring swift access to the precise components needed for your themed creations.

Embrace the adventure, relish the surprises, and let your imagination soar! Disney Dreamlight Valley awaits your touch, and your kingdom is destined to become a beacon of enchantment for all who visit.

In the valley, there's no wrong way to play! Whether you're building kingdoms, exploring themes, or simply enjoying the magic, the coziness of this game lies in the joy you find. So, relax, have fun, and let the warmth of Disney's magic guide your whimsical journey!

Wishing you a magical journey filled with dreams come true!

[glowinflatables]

Parade Inflatables for Disney - Paris Parade, Santiago, Chile

To mark 100 years of Disney, a magical experience is unfolding in the heart of Chile. The Paris Parade, known for its enchanting floats, beloved characters, and lively music, has become a dazzling spectacle that captivates audiences of all ages since 2011. This year, the spectacular event in Santiago is sponsored by the world-renowned entertainment company. This Christmas time, the parade winds its way through the streets, the air is filled with excitement and the unmistakable tunes of Disney classics. Families gather along the route, eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite characters brought to life by fabulous inflatables in vibrant colours and intricate designs. Glow Inflatables Ltd are delighted to be involved with the Disney-sponsored parade. Working with the incredible team at Romeroy Campbell to create the iconic Donald Duck character, Rayo from the film ‘Cars’ and a brand-new character ‘Wish’ from a new Disney film soon to be released. Alongside them, a cavalcade of Disney princesses, heroes, and iconic figures from beloved movies create a visual feast for the eyes. The attention to detail in each custom-made inflatable showcases the craftsmanship and creativity that Disney is renowned for. Children, wide-eyed and filled with wonder, wave enthusiastically as their favourite characters pass by in jaw-droppingly enormous inflatable form. Parents share in the joy, reliving cherished memories and creating new ones with their own families. The parade serves as a reminder of the universal appeal of Disney magic, transcending cultural boundaries and bringing people together in a shared experience of happiness. Chileans embrace the Disney Paris Parade as a special event that adds a touch of enchantment to their lives. The carefully choreographed performances and dazzling inflatables transport spectators to a world where dreams come true. The team at Glow are proud to be part of the creative community that produces this cultural celebration, merging the rich storytelling with the warmth and hospitality of Chilean traditions – a fitting tribute to Disney’s centenary. Read the full article

[cooledtured]

Asha’s Journey Unfolds: Dive into the Enchanting World of Disney’s Wish!

Hey movie buffs, gather ‘round because Disney has just dropped a cinematic gem, “Wish,” a celebration of cinematic history that graced the silver screen, marking the monumental milestone of Walt Disney Studios’ 100th anniversary. Directed by the visionaries Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, this animated wonder unfolds against the magical backdrop of the Kingdom of Rosas, promising a tale that’s a perfect blend of nostalgia, innovation, and, of course, that signature Disney magic.

Asha’s Magical Quest: A Protagonist for the Ages

At the heart of “Wish” is Asha, a spirited 17-year-old voiced by the talented Ariana DeBose. Faced with the looming threat of the nefarious King Magnifico, portrayed by Chris Pine, Asha embarks on a whimsical journey to save her kingdom. The narrative takes an enchanting turn when Asha’s heartfelt wish to the stars is answered by Star, a cosmic force, and newfound ally.

Homage to the Classics: Nods to Disney’s Rich Legacy

And here’s where it gets even more magical — “Wish” seamlessly weaves in “legacy nods” or Easter eggs, paying homage to Disney’s iconic classics. Directors Buck and Veerasunthorn spill the beans that these nods span across various Disney masterpieces, creating a delightful tapestry that connects “Wish” to the studio’s rich history.

All-Star Cast and Musical Marvels: A Symphony of Animation

“Wish” boasts an impressive cast, including Alan Tudyk as the lovable talking goat Valentino, and features an original soundtrack filled with magical tunes. The lively song “I’m a Star,” written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, stands out as a musical celebration, reminiscent of Disney’s cherished talking-animal songs.

Unlock the Magic: Pre-Order Your Exclusive “Wish” Funko POP! Figures Now!

Extend the enchantment beyond the theater with the exclusive Funko POP! figures inspired by “Wish.” Featuring beloved characters like Asha & Star, Dahlia, King Magnifico, Queen Amaya, and Valentino, these meticulously crafted collectibles bring the magic of the movie to life. Scheduled for release in January 2024, you can secure your set by pre-ordering now on Cooledtured. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of the whimsical world of “Wish” and celebrate the magic of Disney in every detail.

“Wish” hit theaters on November 22, 2023, promising not just a captivating cinematic experience but also a celebration of diversity, representation, and the enduring power of wishes. As audiences immerse themselves in this animated spectacle, “Wish” invites them to a world where dreams come true, echoing the sentiments of Disney’s century-long legacy.

 — 

FERNANDO ORTIZ | Writer POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST cooledtured.com | GROW YOUR COLLECTION

[mymax]

Show Summary - MyWorld Enchantment

Introduction

The show begins with an opening fanfare that includes the movement of searchlights across Cinderella Castle and the park hub, ending with two large firework bursts. Narration from Angela Bassett welcomes guests with the following words:

"Good evening. Tonight we gather in a most enchanted kingdom, one overflowing with magic. And, once upon a time, it all began with a dream..."

An instrumental version of “When You Wish Upon a Star” plays as historical footage and images from the announcement of Walt Disney World's construction in Florida, including Walt Disney from the EPCOT film appear across the castle. A large blueprint canvas is then spread out across the castle, cycling between stylised characters, designs, and music from select attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Carousel of Progress. Roy O. Disney's opening day speech and dedication then follows, the castle slowly transforming into its original color scheme to complement its history. As Roy's dedication ends, a large swarm of Mickey-shaped balloons begins to float from beneath the castle, ascending into the sky. Mickey Mouse, holding onto the final set of balloons, appears and lets go of them, leaping down onto the castle balcony and greeting the guests, reminding them that “they are the magic”.

”Oh, boy! This place sure is swell! Some folks like to say that it all started with a dream, but you wanna know what makes this place really special? It’s you! Each and every one of you! Any time you set foot here, you leave this place brighter than it was before, because you are the magic!”

As Mickey finishes his address, the theme song of the show "You Are the Magic" begins to play, punctuated by multiple fireworks and shells. Silhouetted scenes from the following contents appear, including: Aladdin, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, ABC Monsters, Gary & Jake, Trivia Master, Chuggington, Onward, Tangled, Frozen/Frozen II, and Cinderella.

Songs featured: "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)", "It's a Small World", "Grim Grinning Ghosts", and "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"

The Second Star to the Right

Then, an instrumental version of “The Second Star to the Right” plays while Angela Bassett narrates the following words.

"Now, the magic of dreams come true is calling out to you, inspiring each of you to wish upon a star, follow your hearts, and discover a world full of wonder. Like those who have answered the call, if you allow your dream to be your guide, you may be surprised by what you discover... so long as you simply believe."

Almost There and Just Around the Riverbend

Stylised scenes of characters from Brave, Hercules, Coco, Aladdin, Tangled, and Onward appear, projected onto the castle in various ways.

We Know The Way

Scenes featuring characters from Raya and the Last Dragon and Zootopia are projected onto the castle, accompanied by a spectacular sparkle of fireworks, some resembling Maui’s fishhook and the spiral motif seen on the Heart of Te Fiti. The song ends as Judy Hopps walks out of a train and into the foreground, before the projections disappear with a sparkle.

Epiphany

Joe Gardner, seen in “the zone” plays a tune on his piano before an orchestra accompaniment kicks in. As the score progresses, the projections slowly extend onto the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. with colorful fireworks complementing it. Scenes featuring many characters from a plethora of Disney films appear and disappear intermittently, some designed in the style of former Disney artist Mary Blair, including: Alice in Wonderland, Ratatouille, Lilo & Stitch, Finding Nemo/Finding Dory, Luca, Monsters University, Cars, Wreck-It Ralph/Ralph Breaks the Internet, Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, The Lion King, Tarzan, Dumbo, Hercules, Big Hero 6, Treasure Planet, WALL-E, and Soul. Unique varieties of fireworks accompany these sections, including cube-shaped and smiley-face ones. The section ends with WALL-E and Eve soaring into the night sky, represented by two large white shells as they leave the projection radius.

Songs featured: "Be Our Guest", "Under the Sea", "You've Got a Friend in Me", "The Silly Song", "I've Got No Strings", "A Whole New World", and "You Can Fly".

Into the Unknown

As a rock variation of Into the Unknown plays, many scenes from Disney films showcasing characters in perilous situations are projected onto the castle, appearing inside various “portals”. The song ends as Elsa appears, shooting blasts of ice off in different directions around the castle. Films featured include Zootopia, Aladdin, Brave, Inside Out, Coco, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Onward, and Frozen II.

Night on Bald Mountain

As the previous projection ends, shattering into fragments of ice, a lightning bolt strikes as a combined rock and instrumental version of Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia plays, leading into a segment highlighting many Disney characters fighting their respective villains and their associates. Many scenes appear from the following films, such as: Frozen II, Beauty and the Beast, Inside Out, Coco, Tangled, Sleeping Beauty, Hercules, Onward, Mulan, Cinderella, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Moana.

I Am Moana

The chaos of the previous scene slowly fades away, leaving a period of silence for a moment before a poignant, gentle reprise of I Am Moana plays featuring, eventually crescendoing into a triumphant melody as joyful scenes of Disney characters achieving their goals appear, with a triumphant finale of fireworks at the end. Includes scenes from: Onward, Coco, Tangled, Cinderella, Mulan, Hercules, and The Princess and the Frog.

Finale

The narrator returns to intone that the true magic the audience has been searching for has been with them all the while. She adds that the Magic Kingdom will continue to serve as “a beacon to those with a wish in their heart”, reminding all who enter that “anything is possible, for you are the magic.” A pixie then begins to fly from the center of the castle and up to the tallest tower. It’s revealed to be Tinker Bell, sprinkling her pixie dust over the castle, the hub, and on Main Street, transforming them into gold. The reprise of "You Are the Magic" plays, crescendoing in a beautiful array of fireworks and lights. During the finale, Mickey Mouse walks out onto the castle balcony once more, amazed at the display, before joyfully proclaiming the following:

"You Are the Magic!"

[adamwatchesmovies]

Fantasia 2000 (1999)

Coming 60 years after the original, Fantasia 2000 mostly captures the majesty and wonder of its predecessor with a visually stunning, inspired blend of animation and music.

Introduced by a variety of celebrities which include Steve Martin, Itzhak Perlman, Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, James Earl Jones, Penn & Teller and Angela Lansbury, the program includes several classical musical pieces, each brought to life by distinct styles of animation, including:

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, in which abstract shapes resembling butterflies and birds (or perhaps bats) battle.

Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi, about a family of flying humpback whales who become separated and must find each other again.

Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin is set in 1930’s New York City and follows four people who dream of a better life.

Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102 by Dmitri Shostakovich, which is loosely based on Han Christian Andersen’s The Steadfast Tin Soldier, in which a one-legged toy soldier falls in love with a toy ballerina and protects her from a lustful jack-in-the-box.

The Carnival of the Animals (Le Carnival des Animaux), finale by Camille Saint-Saëns, about a disapproving group of flamingos that attempts to discourage one of their members from playing with his yo-yo.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas, a segment carried over from the original Fantasia that sees Mickey Mouse play with the magic spells of his master, with disastrous results.

Pomp and Circumstance – Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4 by Edward Elgar, in which Donald and Daisy Duck act as assistants to Noah and help him gather two of each animal for his ark before the world is flooded.

Firebird Suite – 1919 Version by Igor Stravinsky. In this final tale, a forest sprite accidentally wakes the Firebird, a volcanic creature that burns everything in its wake.

Besides the occasional use of CGI imagery, the biggest difference between this film and its predecessor is the hosts that introduce the musical segments. While some of them do make the film a tad dated (I’m not sure how Penn and Teller will be seen by the time we get “Fantasia 3000”, for example), generally they serve their purpose. When Fantasia was conceived, it was intended to be in a constant state of flux. Every few years it would’ve been re-released with segments added or removed. Had this plan gone forward, we probably would've had Deems Taylor introduce some of the “Fantasia 2.0” releases but not others. This would've been weird and Fantasia 2000 seeks to rectify this with a slew of different hosts. Had it been a big hit (it wasn’t), it would’ve been much easier to remove or add pieces in subsequent releases.

Enough about that. Let’s talk about the main feature. I wouldn’t call this 1999 film as ambitious as the one in 1940 but in some ways, it is. The Rhapsody in Blue story, for example, does not use a style of animation that resembles anything else Disney but you wish more films would ape its style. Less successful is the whales’ story, which utilizes a blend of CGI and traditional animation. Unfortunately, the mix is often glaring. The finale is strong but the whole thing is too cutesy. Similarly, the Tin Soldier story is visually dynamic, vibrant and able to cram a sweet little bit of romance in its short running time but has been softened from the original tale – seemingly to appeal to kids. Many of Disney’s first pictures weren’t afraid to be frightening. Stories like Dumbo, Bambi or Pinocchio could be too intense for the littlest ones… and we love them for it. You can tell the years have made the studio more cautious.

The comedic stories are where Fantasia 2000 fares best. The yo-yo spinning flamingo is a riot. The slapstick and musical beats are so perfectly choreographed you’ll wish it could last longer. Similarly, forever-favorites Donald Duck and Daisy make for big laughs. The aforementioned Rhapsody in Blue also contains many clever moments to bring a smile to your face.

Then, we get to the finale, one that’s worthy of following up the Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria conclusion of the 1940 picture. Dynamic uses of color, fluid visuals that tell a narrative without needing words or being too on-the-nose and plenty of memorable imagery. It caps off a picture that began with a wonderfully abstract interpretation of music and paves over any rough patches that might’ve been in between. It makes you crave more “Fantasias” but we're unlikely to see any for a while. A shame.

There’s so much imagination in Fantasia 2000 and it’s so refreshing to see. Perhaps a higher-up at the studio will find a way to convince the right people and green-light another. Until then, Fantasia 2000 is a fine picture. Perhaps not a must-see like the original, but a memorable program that offers a lot. (On Blu-ray, September 1, 2018)

[topiaryheart]

magic kingdom fireworks, 2010