"Wish Dragon"
*Wish Dragon* is a 2021 animated comedy film written and directed by Chris Appelhans. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Tencent Pictures, the film features a talented cast, including Jimmy Wong, John Cho, Constance Wu, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Jimmy O. Yang, Aaron Yu, Will Yun Lee, and Ronnie Cheng. Jackie Chan serves as the film's producer and voices the character of Chu in the Mandarin Chinese version. Characters are voiced in both the Chinese and English versions of the film.
Story Summary:
Set against the backdrop of adventure, the film follows teenage protagonist Dean, who dreams of reconnecting with his childhood friend. When Dean encounters a magical dragon capable of granting wishes, he quickly learns that anything is possible. The dragon becomes the key to fulfilling Dean's deepest desires.
Production
*Wish Dragon* was released in theaters in China on January 15, 2021, and internationally on Netflix on June 11, 2021. The film was a success, grossing over $25.9 million against a budget of $25 million.
Share Jackie Chan:
Jackie Chan's participation adds a distinctive touch to the film, and his portrayal of Zhou in the Mandarin Chinese version enhances the appeal of audiences familiar with his distinctive voice.
Global reception:
The film's charming story, coupled with vibrant animation, resonated with audiences around the world. The poignant story of a teenager chasing his dreams with the help of a wish-granting dragon has captivated young and old viewers alike.
story:
Dean, a working-class college student in Shanghai, dreams of reuniting with his childhood friend, Li Na, who left their neighborhood ten years ago with her wealthy father, Mr. Wang. One day, Dean receives a teapot from an old man that releases the Wish Dragon Long. Dean learns that he will be Long's tenth and final master, freeing him from slavery and allowing him to enter the spirit world if Dean makes three wishes using a teapot.
Soon, three goofy henchmen, led by a man named Pockets, go after Dean to retrieve the teapot in hopes of saving their failing business, sent by Mr. Wang. Dean uses his first desire to fight his followers and escape. The next day, Dean and Long attended Li Na's birthday party. Dean uses his second wish to temporarily pose as a wealthy prince, hoping to attract Li Na's attention. However, Li Na is disappointed when her father fails to attend the celebration.
Maintaining his disguise as Dan, Dean comforts Li Na, and they share a meal with Mr. Wang via video call. Long Din warns that Li Na will leave him once she finds out his true identity due to socio-economic differences.
During their outing, Dean asks Long for advice on how to deal with his new situation, which leads to unintended unrest for Li Na. The two spend the rest of the day in Dean's neighborhood and reminisce about their childhood. However, Li Na eventually withdraws, citing responsibilities and expectations that must be met, hurting Din's feelings.
Later that night, frustrated, Dean angrily asks Long to make him rich in a last ditch effort to gain respect. Long reveals that he was once a wealthy and powerful lord who faced loneliness and tragedy, and the gods punished him for his selfishness by turning him into a wish dragon. Long's servitude is intended to make him appreciate the true meaning of life, a lesson he failed to learn from his previous masters.
While pursuing Dean, Pockets betrays Mr. Wang, seizing the teapot for himself. He wishes to turn everything he touches into gold, which results in Master Wang being mortally wounded before Li Na's eyes. Dean confronts his henchmen, leading to a final battle with Pockets on Long's back. Dean corners pockets, preparing to strike him with his golden hand. But Long intervenes and sacrifices himself, turning Pocket and his golden hand into statues.
Long finds himself a human at the entrance to the spirit world. Although tempted to pass through the gates, he pleads with the gatekeeper to return to Dean because he did not use his third wish. Dean uses his last wish to heal Mr. Wang, and Long disappears.
In the aftermath, Mr. Wang opens a restaurant featuring Dean's mother's cooking with the help of Dean and Li Na. Dean finds a teapot identical to Long's proto-vessel, and unleashes it once again. Long tells Din that the only condition for his return to Earth is to stay and serve ten other masters. To bid farewell to Long, Dean places the teapot on a cart driven by the old man, who turns out to be the gatekeeper from the beginning.