michelel72 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
michelel72) wrote2022-02-19 06:29 pm
michelel72) wrote2022-02-19 06:29 pm
Entry tags:
Movie: Encanto
I don't subscribe to any streaming services because I don't want the expense, don't like any streaming interface I've yet met, and wouldn't come anywhere near to getting my investment back from them. The drawback is that I don't see things when other folks do; I still haven't seen "Hamilton", and I've only now seen "Encanto" (because it's finally available for DVD rental through Redbox).
Last things first: the short, "Far from the Tree". Maybe most people who saw this were able to see it before the film, and maybe Disney's autoplay system would have presented it that way if I'd waited, but the promo for the autoplay system took long enough that I just jumped to the menu so I could set up subtitles and start watching the movie. The prospect of a short slipped my mind, so I didn't even notice it until I was checking out the "Extras" menu.
Anyway, between the movie and a bad couple of days otherwise, I was apparently on edge emotionally. The intro to the short just enthused about the techniques and setting, and I had no way of knowing I needed a content advisory for a cute-looking little raccoon cartoon. The dedication at the end felt like a slap, a quote I just saw on the internet confirms that my interpretation of the dedication was accurate, and just ... do not want.
The thing is ... that message may well be the one "Encanto" meant to convey; if so, it was at least more subtle (though I found myself crying at similar dynamics in both). I watched it twice, because even with subtitles I had trouble keeping up, and on the whole I liked it. The setting and music were great. ("We Don't Talk about Bruno" was fine, but "Surface Pressure" was the one I went back and re-watched. The recurring donkey integration was amazing. And "Dos Oruguitas" was lovely.) The problem to be solved was very unusual for Disney, as was the refreshing relative lack of cute animal sidekicks. Mirabel was uncommonly "normal", and her parents being supportive and loving was a very nice change from most YA stories. I very much liked the way the community came together.
I'm still not sure I quite understand the river scene, though. Mirabel had already been told the same thing in the opening scene, so why does the story seem to turn on her "learning" it there? Was it really only that she hadn't actually considered Abuela Alma's point of view before? (This is where I wonder if the movie was aiming for the same message as the short's dedication -- "you're fully excused for hurting the next generation(s) because You Were Trying Your Best By Definition" -- or if I just missed something important about this scene.) Does Mirabel only internalize what she learns by musical number? But I also don't entirely understand what convinced Abuela Alma to change her mind. Maybe I'm just too American to realize what made her switch from blaming Mirabel to assuring her she didn't hurt the family. I definitely felt like I missed something for both characters in that scene.)
Bruno and Mirabel got very raw deals before and for most of the movie's story. I am glad both found their places.
And to be clear, I did enjoy the movie as a whole. I may yet buy a copy.
But I'm having complicated feelings about it all the same.
Last things first: the short, "Far from the Tree". Maybe most people who saw this were able to see it before the film, and maybe Disney's autoplay system would have presented it that way if I'd waited, but the promo for the autoplay system took long enough that I just jumped to the menu so I could set up subtitles and start watching the movie. The prospect of a short slipped my mind, so I didn't even notice it until I was checking out the "Extras" menu.
Anyway, between the movie and a bad couple of days otherwise, I was apparently on edge emotionally. The intro to the short just enthused about the techniques and setting, and I had no way of knowing I needed a content advisory for a cute-looking little raccoon cartoon. The dedication at the end felt like a slap, a quote I just saw on the internet confirms that my interpretation of the dedication was accurate, and just ... do not want.
The thing is ... that message may well be the one "Encanto" meant to convey; if so, it was at least more subtle (though I found myself crying at similar dynamics in both). I watched it twice, because even with subtitles I had trouble keeping up, and on the whole I liked it. The setting and music were great. ("We Don't Talk about Bruno" was fine, but "Surface Pressure" was the one I went back and re-watched. The recurring donkey integration was amazing. And "Dos Oruguitas" was lovely.) The problem to be solved was very unusual for Disney, as was the refreshing relative lack of cute animal sidekicks. Mirabel was uncommonly "normal", and her parents being supportive and loving was a very nice change from most YA stories. I very much liked the way the community came together.
I'm still not sure I quite understand the river scene, though. Mirabel had already been told the same thing in the opening scene, so why does the story seem to turn on her "learning" it there? Was it really only that she hadn't actually considered Abuela Alma's point of view before? (This is where I wonder if the movie was aiming for the same message as the short's dedication -- "you're fully excused for hurting the next generation(s) because You Were Trying Your Best By Definition" -- or if I just missed something important about this scene.) Does Mirabel only internalize what she learns by musical number? But I also don't entirely understand what convinced Abuela Alma to change her mind. Maybe I'm just too American to realize what made her switch from blaming Mirabel to assuring her she didn't hurt the family. I definitely felt like I missed something for both characters in that scene.)
Bruno and Mirabel got very raw deals before and for most of the movie's story. I am glad both found their places.
And to be clear, I did enjoy the movie as a whole. I may yet buy a copy.
But I'm having complicated feelings about it all the same.