Debby Ryan, courtesy Disney Channel
16 WISHES
Friendly Rating: Early grade school and up.
Safety Rating: Even the one kiss is pure.
Quality Rating: Uneven, but ends well.
Movie special premieres tonight on Disney Channel at 8 p.m.
My biggest problem with the early parts of 16 Wishes was that Abby Jensen (Debby Ryan) was really kind of bratty for a heroine. It wasn’t until three quarters into the film that I finally realized that was the point.
It’s Abby’s big 16th birthday, and she has so been looking forward to the day that she’s been drawing up a list of 16 wishes since she was 8. A typical, self-absorbed teen, Abby is obsessed with her rival across the street, Krista (Karissa Tynes), who is likewise obsessed with beating Abby at everything. Abby has her eyes so steadfastly on what she thinks will make her life perfect that, naturally, she misses what’s right under her nose, especially in her best friend Jay (Jean-Luc Bilodeau).
So naturally, when the magic starts happening, in the form of sixteen magic candles – one to correspond with each of the wishes on Abby’s list, Abby is thrilled beyond belief. We know what happens next. One of the wishes goes terribly awry and Abby learns what’s really important.
Alas, too much of the film is wasted on Abby’s early wishes because it doesn’t really start to get interesting until the messed-up wish turns Abby’s life into a sort of reverse It’s a Wonderful Life, which in turn forces Abby into recognizing that maybe she hasn’t been the nicest person on the planet and needs to make amends. And that part is really worth it, even if the getting there is a bit grating.
The fun part will be talking with your kids about it, especially the younger ones. Let’s face it, when you’re 8, 16 seems like it will never happen, and what seems really cool and wonderful at age 8 is often less so at age 16.
And let us know what your kids have to say. Did they get the hint? Were you able to share after the film? Comments are below.
Had I any children, this is definitely a film that I’d incorporate into family night. But, instead, I sat down with my Disney loving 22 year old self. I LOVED IT.
I did expect the “wish gone awry” to occur a bit earlier. I was thinking that this was going to almost mimic “13 going on 30″, another one of my favorites. Alas, the main point was reached, and I too was reminded that I have a lot in front of me, and I just don’t realize it at times. I especially loved the ending
*****SPOILERS*******
I loved that the two girls made up and were able to be friends. More kids movies should end like this.
Overall, I give it 4/5 stars