About Wish Dragon

Wish Dragon is a 2021 computer-animated kids film directed by Chris Appelhans. The movie follows the story of Din, a teenager who encounters a magical dragon and forms an unlikely friendship. Together, they embark on an adventure to find Din's long-lost childhood friend, Lina.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The plot of Wish Dragon centers around Din, a young boy from a working-class family in modern-day Shanghai. Din accidentally releases a wish-granting dragon named Long who has been trapped in a teapot for centuries. Long is initially reluctant to grant Din's wishes, but eventually agrees to help him find Lina, Din's childhood friend who disappeared many years ago.

As Din and Long embark on their quest, they encounter various challenges and obstacles. Along the way, they learn the importance of friendship, selflessness, and the true meaning of happiness.

Making / Production

Wish Dragon is a Chinese-American co-production, with animation produced by Base Animation, a subsidiary of Oriental DreamWorks. The film was directed by Chris Appelhans, who is known for his work as a writer and artist on films like Coraline and The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

The concept of Wish Dragon was inspired by the classic tale of Aladdin and the magic lamp. The filmmakers wanted to tell a modern, Chinese-American version of the story, emphasizing themes of friendship and self-discovery.

The animation style of the film combines traditional 2D hand-drawn animation and 3D computer-generated imagery, giving it a visually unique and vibrant look.

Actors

• John Cho as Long - The wish-granting dragon who befriends Din and helps him in his journey.
• Jimmy Wong as Din - The protagonist and a young boy who accidentally stumbles upon the teapot containing the wish-granting dragon.
• Constance Wu as Mom - Din's hardworking and caring mother.
• Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Li Na - Din's childhood friend whom he tries to find with the help of the wish dragon Long.
• Bobby Lee as Pockets - Din's loyal and fun-loving best friend.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Wish Dragon is the first animated feature from Base Animation.
• The film's story takes inspiration from traditional Chinese folklore and combines it with a modern setting.
• Jackie Chan served as a producer and also provided the voice for a minor character in the film.
• Wish Dragon premiered at the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
• The movie features both English and Mandarin language tracks, catering to a global audience.

Awards

As of now, Wish Dragon has not won any major awards. However, it has received positive reviews for its animation, storytelling, and voice performances.

Quotes

• "If you can have the ultimate dish in the world, what would you wish for?" - Long
• "No matter where the journey leads, always remember, you're still you, and I'll still be your Long." - Long
• "Friendship isn't just about having fun, it's about being there for each other." - Din

Music

The film's musical score was composed by Philip Klein. It features a blend of traditional Chinese instruments and contemporary orchestration to enhance the emotional impact of the story.

Soundtrack

The official soundtrack for Wish Dragon includes songs like:

• "Your Wish My Friend" by Raymond J. Barry
• "So Beautiful" by Zeng Yi
• "Wishes and Dreams" by Philip Klein
• "City of Dreams" by Xia Zhiguang

Overall, Wish Dragon is an enchanting and heartwarming film that entertains young audiences while imparting valuable life lessons. Its combination of stunning animation, compelling storytelling, and memorable characters make it a must-watch for kids and families.