I didn't expect a delight like this from Netflix, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Wish Dragon tells the story of a modern Shanghai boy (Din Song) who discovers an ancient and colorful wish-granting dragon (Long) and tries to reunite with an elusive girl of high status (Li Na). If that just sounds like Disney's Aladdin in contemporary China... you're half right. But while the movie relies on a similar setup, it also goes in some fresh new directions with it. The characters have important distinctions from Aladdin and invert a few key decisions in comparison. There's less time spent on prolonged deceptions, musical numbers, or animal companions (they ate it), and more on seeing the characters just be themselves. The result is a more grounded exploration of the lives and relationships of Din, Li Na, their families, and even Long. The childhood friendship angle between Din & Li Na gives the film a novel emotional & motivational pull, in contrast to one chiefly romantic, oft-seen in similar ilk (like Aladdin). I can't think of any other movie where I said "d'aww" or similar interjections out loud this many times. I actually felt something for most of the characters, which is impressive for a 98-minute runtime, but that speaks to its efficient pacing and solid narrative.
The 3D animation is immaculate. Not as ambitious as high-end DreamWorks or Pixar movies, but the environments and characters are consistently well-animated and engaging. Din also wishes for kung fu, which alone makes it more visually appealing to me personally (martial arts is a favorite of mine), and creates extra opportunities for neat hijinks. Apparently, Jackie Chan was a producer, and it shows. Each moment is also just well-written, and the jokes land well. Aside from the kung fu action comedy, much of the humor derives from Long's cynical snark, his invisibility to everyone but his master, and his cultural clashes with the modern world. Among many other things. I laughed out loud at several points.
If I had a criticism, the epilogue feels abrupt. After the movie spends so much time efficiently exploring these characters and their lives, it felt anticlimactic to only have a few seconds to some of them for a send-off. I think the intention was that a lot of what happens next is up to your imagination, which may be for better or worse depending on how your mind works.
Overall though, as far as animated family fun and feels go, Wish Dragon is really good. It doesn't blow you away with anything ultra-groundbreaking, but it skillfully knits together a blend of old tropes and cliches, new imaginative touches, and colorful animation into its own charming movie. It's another nice tale with heart worth enjoying.
A Charming New Family Animation
I didn't expect a delight like this from Netflix, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Wish Dragon tells the story of a modern Shanghai boy (Din Song) who discovers an ancient and colorful wish-granting dragon (Long) and tries to reunite with an elusive girl of high status (Li Na). If that just sounds like Disney's Aladdin in contemporary China... you're half right. But while the movie relies on a similar setup, it also goes in some fresh new directions with it. The characters have important distinctions from Aladdin and invert a few key decisions in comparison. There's less time spent on prolonged deceptions, musical numbers, or animal companions (they ate it), and more on seeing the characters just be themselves. The result is a more grounded exploration of the lives and relationships of Din, Li Na, their families, and even Long. The childhood friendship angle between Din & Li Na gives the film a novel emotional & motivational pull, in contrast to one chiefly romantic, oft-seen in similar ilk (like Aladdin). I can't think of any other movie where I said "d'aww" or similar interjections out loud this many times. I actually felt something for most of the characters, which is impressive for a 98-minute runtime, but that speaks to its efficient pacing and solid narrative.
The 3D animation is immaculate. Not as ambitious as high-end DreamWorks or Pixar movies, but the environments and characters are consistently well-animated and engaging. Din also wishes for kung fu, which alone makes it more visually appealing to me personally (martial arts is a favorite of mine), and creates extra opportunities for neat hijinks. Apparently, Jackie Chan was a producer, and it shows. Each moment is also just well-written, and the jokes land well. Aside from the kung fu action comedy, much of the humor derives from Long's cynical snark, his invisibility to everyone but his master, and his cultural clashes with the modern world. Among many other things. I laughed out loud at several points.
If I had a criticism, the epilogue feels abrupt. After the movie spends so much time efficiently exploring these characters and their lives, it felt anticlimactic to only have a few seconds to some of them for a send-off. I think the intention was that a lot of what happens next is up to your imagination, which may be for better or worse depending on how your mind works.
Overall though, as far as animated family fun and feels go, Wish Dragon is really good. It doesn't blow you away with anything ultra-groundbreaking, but it skillfully knits together a blend of old tropes and cliches, new imaginative touches, and colorful animation into its own charming movie. It's another nice tale with heart worth enjoying.