‘All Wishes Come True!’ Review – A Mythological Marvel

Synopsis: On a wonderous island where mortals and Immortals live side by side, a legendary vault holds a fortune beyond dreaming. Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan have a daring plan. To break into the vault, these two mortals attempt the impossible: masquerading as Immortals themselves. Along the way, they recruit six more unlikely companions: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Eight ordinary souls. One extraordinary heist. And certain death for anyone bold enough to outsmart the heavens. But an even greater danger is already closing in: a shadow conspiracy that threatens to unravel the balance of all things. Suddenly, the fate of both the mortal and immortal worlds rests in the hands of the eight unlikely heroes standing directly in its path.

It’s never too late to turn your life around. We’re often led to believe that we must live a flawless, blemish-free life to be considered a good or deserving person. It’s not only untrue, but it’s impossible. Even if you’ve made countless wrong turns, you don’t have to lean into the negativity and allow it to define you forever. The flaws we hold and mistakes we make help shape who we are and the path we were placed on, but it’s up to us how we traverse it. It’s not always easy, but if you care, it’s worth putting in the effort. Despite the colorful childlike allure of this film and the hijinks to match, the story that cradles it is deeply philosophical and profoundly important to the building blocks of accountability, responsibility, and growth.

“The greatest con is one the world never sees.”

Sometimes, to be great, you have to trust others more than yourself. It’s an unusual notion, but ultimately we need each other more than we don’t. Written and directed by Mu Zhengyang, All Wishes Come True! is a mythological marvel. This eye-dazzling adventure brings Chinese mythology to the masses in a way that both prioritizes cultural specificity while exhibiting universal appeal. Leveraging vibrant, flawless animation, comedic antics, action, and cinematic familiarity to introduce and explore morality and history not only works, but flourishes. Featuring robust characters, exhilarating events, and thought-provoking concepts, Zhengyang crafts an experience that is sophisticated enough for adults and simple enough for young children. It’s a thrilling escapade that results in the best animated film of the year.

What begins as the seemingly simple yet daunting task of retrieving a humanity-saving lantern from a land inhabited by gods, immortals, and other mortals soon turns into an impossible heist and then a life-altering showdown. We start with the reluctant pairing of Lu Dongbin and Zhongli Quan, who are constantly on the verge of arguing or fighting. Eventually, they are joined by six other strangers as their half-baked plan falls flat on its face. Their plan involves greed, stealthy theft, and impersonation of immortals, all of which could cost them their lives. However, unbeknownst to them, the plan also involves mountains of trust, and that trust will be fully tested. Not to mention their biggest obstacle: all immortals are registered and must grant all wishes brought before them. The lies and deceit are plentiful, but there are twists that no one can see coming. Fortunately, all the plotting inadvertently results in what is initially forced benevolence. However, when doing good feels good, it becomes a habit.

This oddly skilled band of characters inhabits the iconic essence of films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Ladykillers, while also harnessing the charm, energy, and playfulness of Kung Fu Panda or Ice Age with the refinement you’d expect from Chinese mythology. This is an exploration of humanity. It highlights on numerous occasions that when given the opportunity, people will, more often than not, do the right thing. This exploration of the Eight Immortals enlightens us to the belief that no one is irredeemable. Reinforcing that even after decades of shameful acts, if you want to change, you can. You may merely require assistance; we forget that life is a team sport. From scheming to saving, lying to honesty, from selfishness to unity, All Wishes Come True! is the perfect blend of entertainment and imparting wisdom.

“From that day on, my life has never been the same.”

As the story grows and every turn becomes more complicated, the real threat lingers in the shadows. While already vibrant and dynamic, the closer Zhongli Quan and crew get to reaching their goal, the more we see what an achievement in animation this film is. It ignites the imagination and inspires wonder. The richness of the colors and the fluidity of the movements paired with its enchanting score elevate every aspect. While the dialogue at times moves too quickly to read every word and only two of the eight characters are fully explored, there is plenty of action and more than a few laughs, making this family-friendly film not just compelling but a must-see. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

With the film’s runtime being just under two and a half hours, pacing is incredibly important. Fortunately, with so many happenings and a heist plot that turns into a reluctant hero’s journey, All Wishes Come True! rarely loses steam. What really pops is the breathtaking animation. From the moment we see characters on their way to Penglai by boat, it’s clear this is some of the cleanest, most detailed, and realistic animation I’ve seen in years. There’s one scene in particular where the palm of a hand is zoomed in on, and you can see the subtle, lifelike redness; that solidified it for me.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Hao Chen, Yuze Han, Yunqi Zhang

While I can’t fully confirm, I would assume the cast recorded together. While it used to be the standard, solo recording has become common in recent years. Anyway, the chemistry is effortless, and the back-and-forth dialogue feels incredibly natural. It’s no easy task to have such a large voice cast, especially one that occupies many scenes together, flow as seamlessly as they do in this film. While we don’t get a full rundown of each character, It’s pretty clear who they are and what they stand for. They each have distinct personalities and their own charm. And by the end, you’ll have more than one favorite.

All Wishes Come True! is now playing in select theaters. Stay safe and stay woke.

Rated: NR Runtime: 2h 23m Language: Mandarin with English Subtitles Director: Mu Zhengyang Writer: Mu Zhengyang Producer: Cao Linlin Presented by: Pearl Studio Chengdu Media Co., Ltd., Shanghai CMC Pictures Co., Ltd., Tianjin Maoyan Cultural Media Co.,Ltd., Ruyi Film Entertainment Company Limited, Shanghai Ruyi Film abd Television Production Co., Ltd., CHINA FILM GROUP CO., LTD., Beijing Menggu Cultural Media Co.,Ltd., Beijing Damai Entertainment Culture Co., Ltd., Beijing Enlight Pictures Co., Ltd. Co-presented by: JiangSu OMNIJOI Movie Co.,Ltd, Xi’an Pinewood Pictures, Shanghai Maoyan Pictures Co., Ltd., Beijing Weimeng Internet Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Orange Culture Media Co., Ltd.