The Big Wish
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The Big Wish
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Big Wish is a Mexican animated adventure based on the Day of the Dead celebration, which leads to a look at death and what it means when people pass on. The lead character is a 16-year-old, headstrong and adventurous, orphan girl called Salma (voiced by Cristina Milizia), who sets off with her two foster brothers to try and find her long-lost parents. The movie deals with the death of parents and loved ones. It depicts the dead revisiting their relatives, which may prove unsettling for younger viewers. There are some violent scenes, including brawls with broken bottles and snapped pool cues. The movie's takeaway message is that memories are important in grieving and remembering loved ones, but that death is necessary, despite the sadness it can bring. The movie is also know as Dia de Muertos, Salma's Big Wish, and Day of the Dead in some territories.
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What's the Story?
In THE BIG WISH, 16-year-old orphan girl Salma (voiced by Cristina Milizia) is forbidden from learning the secret of her parents. During one Day of the Dead holiday, she decides to find out, leading to magical consequences.
Is It Any Good?
A grief-stricken man is determined to kill the Grim Reaper, while an orphan searches for the secrets of her family. Some of The Big Wish's themes are heavy going, and younger viewers will either be left behind or hung up on some of the more worrying or scarier parts. Framed within the Day of the Dead festival, the movie's key concepts are familiar to those with an awareness of this Mexican holiday. But for those that aren't, the film's literal depiction of people merrily meeting up with their dead relatives each year, could be confusing to younger kids. The overall message is about the importance of memories and how death is a sad but necessary part of life. But this is muddled by the film's magic-heavy third act.
Still, there's lots to enjoy. It's bright and colourful and there are a number of fun action scenes, while the creepier aspects will appeal to kids with an interest in scary stories. Around the midway point, the film does begin to feel like a cheap animated TV cartoon rather than a movie. But the dip in quality thankfully doesn't last long. Yes there are better offerings that deal with similar themes. But you can also do worse than The Big Wish.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether any parts of The Big Wish are too scary or violent? Who do you think is the ideal audience for this movie and why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
What did Salma learn during the movie? How did her experiences in the Land of the Dead help her grow?
Do your family celebrate Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead? If so, how realistic was the portrayal in this movie? If not, how does your family pay tribute to relatives and loved ones after they've passed away?
Did this movie remind you of any others you might have seen? If so, which ones?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: February 10, 2020
- Cast: Cristina Milizia, Luis Dubuc, Memo Aponte
- Director: Carlos Gutiérrez Medrano
- Studio: Signature Entertainment
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Brothers and Sisters, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Courage, Curiosity, Perseverance
- Run time: 88 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Coco
Stunningly animated, poignant tribute to family and culture.
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The Book of Life
Beautifully animated film has some scary imagery.
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Kubo and the Two Strings
Beautiful epic about storytelling hero can be dark, scary.
For kids who love animated adventures
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