Produced as a fund-raiser by the Make-A-Wish foundation, ANNABELLE'S WISH is a sweet-tempered but workmanlike animated feature about the transforming power of wishing. Dealing sensitively with painful issues, this sentimental flight of fancy delivers its basket of Christmas cheer in a
predictably heartwarming manner.
Raised by his maternal grandfather, Mr. Baker (voice of Jerry Van Dyke), young Billy (voice of Harry Oziol) has not uttered a word since a barn fire that imperiled his beloved farm pets. Previously, Billy suffered due to the premature deaths of both of his parents. His muteness makes him the butt
of bullies Buster (voice of James Lafferty) and Bucky (voice of Charlie Cronin) Holder. His best friend, Emily (voice of Aria Noelle Curzon), shields Billy from the teasing. But neither Emily nor Grandpa Baker can protect him from the ongoing custody squabble perpetrated by his childless Aunt
Agnes (voice of Cloris Leachman).
Meanwhile, a welcome new playmate, Annabelle the calf (voice of Kath Soucie), is born. Annabelle quickly learns a Yuletide secret. Each Christmas, Santa Claus benevolently visits Baker's farm and bestows the gift of speech on the animals for one day. Annabelle plans to ask for her wish--to become
a flying teammate of Santa's reindeer. But when Billy faces being taken away to live with Aunt Agnes unless his voice returns, Annabelle relinquishes her day of speech in return for Santa restoring Billy's voice. Billy's life returns to normal. He grows up and marries Emily. Near the end of her
selfless life, loyal Annabelle is transformed by Santa into one of his reindeer; her dream finally comes true.
The object lessons of ANNABELLE'S WISH are not subtly divulged to young viewers, but there's no denying the poignancy of Annabelle's soaring, last-minute ascent to happiness. Decked out in tinselly colors, this animated morality play boasts a delightful visual gleam. Countering this appeal is the
insipid nature of the song score, which is a drag on the film's energy level; too many of the tunes are used as background music rather than being sung directly by the folksy characters. Perhaps the film's most adorable fairy-tale achievement isn't the saga of Billy's regeneration, but its
presentation of Annabelle's capacity for self-abnegation and dreaming. Younger viewers will be delighted by Annabelle and the yearly talk-fest of the critters; of course, adults may ponder just why human communication is such a treat for farm animals. Nonetheless, ANNABELLE'S WISH accomplishes its
feel-good goal as it puts money-grubbing villains in their place, rewards the impoverished but noble protagonists, and teaches children that virtue is its own reward.
