COLUMBIA TRISTAR really deserves credit for the exemplary job they're doing in giving "family" themed films such lavish dvd treatment.  "WISH UPON A STAR" is a film that went direct to cable, and undoubtedly pleased the targeted adolescent audience that managed to catch it.  But now, in a great looking and sounding dvd, it should win over many more fans. 

Competitive sisters get to really understand one another when a special "wish" allows them to transfer bodies.  With high school as a background, the film's got a jubilant, energetic atmosphere, but it's never mean-spirited or cynical like most teen-fare.  Filled with plenty of stereotypes? Definitely! But, fun? Absolutely.  Adolescents and adults will enjoy the film together as its underlying message of appreciating one another and ones' self, is made clear, through various subplots and surprises.  It's amazing to see how beautiful Katherine Heigl continued to be as she matured.  While she was pretty as a youngster in "MY FATHER THE HERO", it's great to see her maturing into a lovely young lady. Of course, the film's over five years old, but those who've caught her on the hit t.v. series "ROSWELL" can see she's still got it. 

The transfer from COLUMBIA TRISTAR features the same 1.33:1 aspect ratio it was shot with for its television airing.  The color values are sharp and often vibrant.  The film has a great production design and the various color schemes come right off the screen with great clarity.  Fleshtones appear natural throughout.  Contrast is fine, and while there's some grain, it's minimal.

The DOLBY SURROUND mix is adequate, but limited in surround use.  While not overly dialogue-heavy, the majority of sound is focused towards the center channel with some front/directional moments for ambient effects. Dialogue is always intelligible and free of distortion.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has included a writer/director commentary here that's well worth catching.  If nothing else, the commentary demonstrates just how much is involved in the filmmaking process, even with even smaller, adolescent-targeted films.  The director and writer are extremely likeable throughout the entire commentary, and it's obvious they really enjoyed making this film. The excitement they show in describing individual scenes and the pride they have, is almost contagious!  A fine example of this is obvious in the commentary to chapter 10, "This is a Hickey".  A scene in which Heigl comes home with a hickey doesn't stand out on its own, but when hearing the commentary and the duo share thoughts that they had trouble deciding which camera reaction shot to include, because each actor was so great, is impressive!

No trailer for this film is offered, but there are several for other family-themed films, including "JUMANJI".