We all love a good Disney original or classic and with the brand new movie Encanto getting all the hype, you might ask is it worth it?
For the songs, the answer is yes. They are brilliant, clever and witty while fitting perfectly into the story. But what is the story exactly?
Encanto is a magical Disney movie about a family's miracle that saved them and blessed each member with a special power apart from one. The miracle came from a river when the grandma of the family lost her husband while trying to seek refuge. Through a candle’s burning flame, the light gave each of her offspring powers that helped run the small village they lived in. Only the grandchild named Mirabel was not blessed with power. While Mirabel tries to be a part of the Madrigal family as much as she can, she can’t help but feel left out.
Her uncle Bruno has the power to see the future and the famous song ‘We don’t talk about Bruno’ explains how his power was more of a curse which was the cause of his disappearance. Except he didn’t really, like all of the Madrigal’s, he loves his family too much to leave them but he doesn't want to hurt or disappoint them, so he lives in the walls of Casa Madrigal (the house). It was the day Mirabel didn’t get her powers that Bruno made the difficult decision to disappear. Not only because he was misunderstood but also because of a vision he saw of the Casa Madrigal breaking and Mirabel and the centre of it.
The story of Encanto is about the grandma accepting that the Madrigals are so much more than their powers. While the movie is incredible and has some brilliant dance numbers, it does have its flaws.
Unlike other Disney movies where love is the answer to everything, this movie has much less adventure. There is very little journey to self discovery. The only representation that comes remotely close to this is the songs and while everyone loves a good Disney song, it appears as though they were more focused on the music than the story.
Just look at Tangled or Brave. Both of the main female characters have their problems but they go on a journey that gives them character growth that makes them so much more lovable. Encanto doesn't have that. All of the problems are solved with a hug and it ends there. Despite Disney carrying the theme of love being able to conquer all and has ticked every other box on making a good Disney film, the story lacks plot. It begs to ask the question: Is Encanto overrated?
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