All Wishes Come True wastes no time establishing itself as a visual spectacle. Based on the Chinese legend of the Eight Immortals, this animated feature reimagines the tale as a supernatural heist epic.
The animated fantasy opens with a breathtaking sequence at sea, creating a striking juxtaposition between the beauty of its animation and the treacherous journey the passengers face aboard the ship all in hopes of reaching the celestia utopia Penglai. It’s an appropriately dramatic introduction to a story that blends ancient Chinese mythology with surprisingly modern sensibilities.
The arrival in Penglai is one of the movie’s more visually inventive moments. Multiple boats appear to enter the fantastical realm at once, only to be magically transformed into much more elaborate vessels. The film takes an otherwise ancient setting and gives it a distinctly modern feel, with characters speeding along waterways and wave-like highways in futuristic interpretations of ancient transportation. Those seeking to change their lives can have their wishes granted, creating a world where the promise of something better comes with its own set of complications.
A Mythological Heist
The story then jumps forward 11 years, where Lu Dongbin has become a wanted man. While visiting a teahouse, he encounters Zongli Quan, a skilled thief and pickpocket who manages to steal Lu Dongbin’s sword. It quickly becomes apparent that these two aren’t strangers. Their history and connection become an important part of the larger story as they find themselves caught up in a much bigger conflict involving Doomsmite.
Lu Dongbin eventually entices Zongli Quan into helping him break into the Immortal Vault, a mysterious location filled with everything from coins and antiques to fantastical creatures and an eternal lantern. Zongli initially refuses, but his curiosity gets the better of him after overhearing guards discuss the vault—and the fact that only one person knows its true location.
From there, All Wishes Come True essentially becomes a mythological heist movie.
Lu Dongbin and Zongli Quan assemble a ragtag group of characters, each bringing their own abilities and personalities to the team. As their reputation grows, they become known for their ability to catch thieves, eventually earning the name the Seven Immortals. Even the movie gets in on the fun by turning the group’s adorable clay ducks into merchandise and charms.
It’s a fun concept that allows All Wishes Come True to move beyond a straightforward wuxia-style fantasy adventure. The movie combines traditional Chinese mythology and martial arts with futuristic interpretations of ancient boats, carriages and other technology, giving the world an identity that feels distinctly its own.
The Animation Steals the Show
The animation is easily one of the film’s greatest strengths. The action sequences are consistently impressive, with the filmmakers finding creative ways to showcase each character’s unique powers and fighting style. The movie features tremendous visual invention throughout, especially when the fantastical elements collide with its more futuristic aesthetic. The result is a movie that is frequently stunning to look at.
Just as importantly, the animation allows the characters’ personalities to come through during the action. Humor often appears in the biggest set pieces, helping keep the movie from getting too serious. There are also several unexpected twists that genuinely have the potential to leave audiences with their jaws on the floor.
While the central premise is strong, All Wishes Come True isn’t without its problems. The biggest issue is the runtime. At approximately two and a half hours, the movie is simply too long for the story it’s trying to tell.
There is value in giving the characters enough time to establish their histories and motivations, particularly when you’re introducing an entire group of immortals. But the additional character development comes at the expense of pacing. The film loses some of its momentum in the middle, and the excitement generated by its opening and early action sequences begins to fade.
The formation of the group is ultimately one of the most enjoyable aspects of the story, but some of the character relationships could have been developed more naturally.
This is particularly noticeable with the sole female member of the group, Lan Caihe. Her interactions with the others before joining the team are limited, yet once she becomes involved, she suddenly participates in the group’s antics as though she’s been part of the team all along. The transition feels convenient rather than earned, making it harder to fully buy into the group’s dynamic.
That’s unfortunate because the broader storyline of how these characters come together is genuinely compelling. Their contrasting personalities and abilities create plenty of opportunities for humor, conflict, and, eventually, genuine friendship.
Final Thoughts
All Wishes Come True is an ambitious and visually spectacular animated adventure that successfully blends Chinese mythology, wuxia-inspired action, comedy, and a surprisingly futuristic aesthetic.
Its gorgeous animation and inventive action sequences make it an entertaining watch, while the mythology and heist elements give the story plenty of personality. The movie also delivers some genuinely unexpected twists and does a good job balancing humor with its more dramatic moments.
Unfortunately, the two-and-a-half-hour runtime works against it. The middle portion drags, and some character relationships – particularly the integration of the female member of the group – don’t receive enough development to feel completely natural.
Still, there’s a lot to admire here. The animation is consistently gorgeous, the action is spectacular, and the concept of bringing together a group of immortals for a fantastical heist is a lot of fun. All Wishes Come True may have benefited from a tighter edit, but for viewers willing to settle in for the long journey, there’s plenty of visual spectacle, mythology, and adventure to enjoy.
The Movie Couple Rating: 3.5/5
