Sony Pictures Animation brings us Wish Dragon, premiering exclusively on Netflix June 11, 2021. A hilarious movie centered around friendship, is this new film kid-friendly? I’m breaking down all of the thematic elements, including its PG rating, in my Wish Dragon Parents Guide and Movie Review. Here’s what parents need to know to help YOU decide if it’s appropriate for kids. As always, no spoilers!
Wish Dragon Parents Guide + Movie Review
A story about a magical dragon with the ability to grant three wishes. First thing’s first though…you cannot wish for love or bring back someone from the dead. Sound familiar? Ironically enough, Wish Dragon is based on the exact same Chinese fable that inspired Aladdin. I’m going to be honest. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this similarity. However, it’s new family film conveniently available on Netflix, so I wanted to go into it with an open mind.
Rather than a Genie in a lamp we have a dragon in a teapot. The Dragon’s name is Long, and he is on his very last mission before he can enter Heaven. There’s absolutely a major difference here. Long being a wish granting dragon, is simply a placeholder until he can enter those golden gates.
Din is a college student and winds up the owner of the magical teapot. More than anything, Din wishes to rediscover the friendship he had with Lina during their childhood. However, Lina and Din are from completely different social classes. Din’s family is working class, and Lina comes from money. Traditionally, those statuses don’t mix with one another.
While this story absolutely does sound all too familiar, there are some differences. For starters, this is a modern take on the Chinese fable, being set in present day Shanghai. Also, rather than looking for love, Din is wishing for friendship.
Wish Dragon takes us on a fun adventure, and although the story might not be new, it does offer a different spin on things. The animation is also beyond GORGEOUS. Simply stunning. The colors are vibrant and perfectly done. I bet it would be a real feast on the big screen, so make sure you watch it on your largest TV!
WISH DRAGON – (L-R) John Cho as Long and Jimmy Wong as Din. Cr: ©2021 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.
IS WISH DRAGON KID-FRIENDLY? HERE’S YOUR PARENTS GUIDE:
A magical dragon and a boy looking for his childhood best friend. Sounds tame enough, however, is Wish Dragon okay for kids? Here’s what parents need to know about Wish Dragon on Netflix.
Wish Dragon is rated PG for mild action and rude humor. It has a runtime of 1 hour 42 minutes. Hmmm. Let’s breakdown the film’s thematic elements and take a closer look.
Violence
Honestly, there surprisingly is quite a bit of violence in this movie. From hand to hand combat and ninja type moves, heck, Din’s first wish is to “be a good fighter!” There is no blood or gore, but there is a lot of fighting. Just be aware and to expect some violent sequences.
Language
There were some words I wish were not used. Stupid, Crap, and Jerk were among those. They’re just not needed and unnecessary.
Mature Content
Without giving the plot away, there is one scene that might upset little ones. If your child is sensitive to loss, you might want to watch this movie first.
Age Recommendation
I watched Wish Dragon with my 7 year old son, Avery. If you read my movie reviews regularly, you’ll know he’s one tough critic. You can always count on him to 100% give you his honest opinion. If a movie doesn’t capture his attention within the first 5 minutes, he will leave the room. I’m not joking. Well, I am happy to report that even though he initially DID NOT want to watch this movie, he loved it. He did say it was a little bit too long, and I’d have to agree with him. I would recommend Wish Dragon for ages 5 and up. However, please take the above themes into consideration. You know your child best!
Overall Thoughts
Although we might have seen the theme of this story before, Wish Dragon does offer a more modern take on the Chinese fable. The film also represents the Japanese culture beautifully. From the food to the traditions, the cultural representation in Wish Dragon is something worth mentioning.
There are many takeaways, but one that will never get old is “money cannot buy happiness.” Din even says, “What could you want more than friendship?” The ongoing theme of the importance of friendship in this movie is honorable. And the message of being true to yourself and being who you really are is admirable.
Overall, Wish Dragon is a vibrant and fun adventure that can be enjoyed with your whole family. Filled with lots of laughs, lots of fun, and a whole lot of heart. You can stream Wish Dragon only on Netflix, June 11th!
WISH DRAGON Synopsis:
In Sony Pictures Animation’s Wish Dragon, Din, a working-class college student with big dreams but small means, and Long, a cynical but all-powerful dragon capable of granting wishes, set off on a hilarious adventure through modern day Shanghai in pursuit of Din’s long-lost childhood friend, Lina. Their journey forces them to answer some of life’s biggest questions – because when you can wish for anything, you have to decide what really matters.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS NETFLIX WISH DRAGON PARENTS GUIDE AND MOVIE REVIEW HELPFUL FOR YOUR FAMILY. WILL YOU BE WATCHING?!
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