Abigail Louise Jensen, or Abby for short, has been dreaming of her 16th birthday for years. It is the day that she has been saving up for and the day that she hopes to have the best birthday party ever. However, things don’t go as planned, as a swarm of bees destroys all of Abby’s plans. Fortunately, a mysterious gift arrives, a candle that can grant Abby 16 wishes. She starts making wishes, one after another, with her childhood friend, Jay, by her side, but things get complicated when a wish causes her to age to 21 years old. Can Abby find a way back to her 16-year-old self, or will she be stuck in this new reality forever?
The movie is a family-friendly comedy drama that was directed by Peter DeLuise and was released on Disney Channel in 2010. Starring Debby Ryan as Abby and Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Jay, 16 Wishes tells an entertaining story that is full of valuable life lessons.
The Plot of 16 Wishes
Abby has been competing with her arch-rival, Krista Cook, for years, with both of their birthdays happening on the very same day. Krista always has better birthday celebrations, so Abby wants to beat her this year with the help of her 16 wishes. Abby starts making wishes, with the first one coming true almost immediately. She then tries her second wish of getting a car, and to her amazement, a red sports car magically appears for her to drive.
Abby and Jay take the car to school, and her new ride instantly gives Abby the cool factor she always wanted. However, Abby is still not happy, as Krista manages to ruin another one of her wishes by sabotaging her. Abby is upset and confused about why Krista would want to destroy her dreams, until she learns the truth from Jay, who tells her that Krista is living a tough life beneath the surface.
Abby then tries another wish to be a famous actress, but that backfires when she finds herself acting in a terrible movie. She grows up three years by that point and can’t seem to return to her previous age.
The Conclusion
In the end, Abby finally learns that no matter how many wishes you get, there is no substitute for hard work, perseverance, and determination. 16 Wishes is an entertaining movie that teaches significant life lessons while telling an amusing story. It is a great reminder for teenagers that the grass is not always greener on the other side and that they should celebrate their unique qualities instead of trying to compete with others.
