A Simple Wish

When Anabel (Mara Wilson) wished for a fairy-godmother, she never dreamed his name would be Murray (Martin Short)! Before you can say "SHABOOM," Anabel quickly learns that Murray is short on experience and long on excuses. As they are whisked into a hilarious whirlwind of magical mishaps, Anabel and the blundering Murray have until midnight to rescue her dad, battle a wicked witch (Kathleen Turner) and recover stolen magic wands to restore the world to a place where wishes really can come true.

Martin Short plays a bumbling fairy godmother to little Mara Wilson, who makes a wish that her actor-father (Robert Pastorelli) finds success. Instead of getting her wish fulfilled right away, however, she and Short end up diverted by an evil witch (Kathleen Turner). Special effects take over once Turner's character starts casting spells. But director Michael Ritchie--a long, long way from his prime (Downhill Racer, The Candidate) as an interesting filmmaker--keeps things moving quickly and gets some good work (albeit slanted toward kids) from his very talented cast. Some of the "magic" in the film--such as the sight of Short flattened and pouring down a set of stairs like liquid--is truly eye-popping. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, Spanish subtitles, English captions, production notes, and theatrical trailer. --Tom Keogh