Critique: Encanto

The Madrigal family has gifts, powers that enable them to protect and help their community. They live in Casita, a magical house. Mirabel, the protagonist, is the only family member without a gift yet she’s the only one who can save the day.

 

*****SPOILERS*****

 

The animators did an amazing job.

The way Mirabel’s skirt was animated when it moved was amazing. It’s attention to detail that I honestly never expected to see.

I love how distinctive Abuela’s nose is! It also allows easy identification of Abuela in her flashbacks.

When Bruno has a vision, his eyes and the salt glows green. This was such an interesting way to animate a vision, rather that seeing flashes or blurry edges like most animated visions.

 

The songs in this musical were really something!

The first song introducing everyone was confusing because there were too many people in too short a time. In the movie, we see each member of the family one at a time using their powers so that introduced them fine. Having the confusing song detracts from how well the plot introduces the characters.

The ‘Don’t Talk about Bruno’ song. The lyric ‘don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no’ was really clever. At the end of the song, loads of people sing at once. This could have been chaotic and messy. However, as these were refrains of the song’s earlier verses, it was really easy to follow the song.

The donkeys during Luisa’s song were the best thing about the film for me. First they were playing instruments which made me laugh. Then they rocked their choreography. After that they were flying unicorns. I didn’t ever expect donkeys to do any of those things. Utter brilliance.

 

There were a few things that were problematic.

If Mirabel’s mother can heal things, why does Mirabel wear glasses? Surely her mother would have healed her own daughters eyes?

If Bruno lived in the walls, why didn’t the family member with super-hearing hear him? Or is the whole ‘Don’t talk about Bruno’ meant to be ignore him completely? Why would you let your family member live in the walls with the rats? Or is the House’s power keeping Bruno from being heard?

Unlike the rest of her family, Mirabel doesn’t have any powers. Because of this, Abuela tells Mirabel to ‘leave the decorating to those who can be useful’. This makes no sense. Unless the power is the power of decorating (which none of the family has), whether someone has powers or not is immaterial to whether someone can be useful decorating. It’s discrimination, really. Also, Abuela doesn’t have powers so really she’s not one to talk (especially as Abuela is helping decorate!)

Isabela is really mean to Mirabel and we never get an answer as to why. We do get some wishy-washy twoddle before her song but it wasn’t convincing in the slightest.

When Mirabel shouts that Casita of cracking, Abuela tells the guests all is fine. This makes sense: no point causing mass panic. But Abuela could at least have told Mirabel she believed her, which we know she does because of what she says at the window that night. Making Mirabel feel like an idiot in front of the village is one thing, but lying to her face about the whole matter? Unacceptable.

 

Other things of note include the following.

During the film, Mirabel realises that all her family feel pressure over their gifts and the responsibility that entails. It means Mirabel no longer feels inadequate for lacking a gift.

I want to know who attacked the original village. It’s not important to the plot (just that it happened is all the necessary detail) but I’m curious all the same.

The reconciliation between Abuela and Mirabel at the end was lovely. Both admitted their faults (though Mirabel didn’t do anything wrong) and they empathised with each other’s perspectives. This unconditional forgiveness felt genuine. Usually fictional acceptance seems like a cop-out.

 

This was an amazing film. The plot was easy to follow yet had plenty of depth. There was Latino flair to every song and costume. The team did a good job.