Encanto

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Walt Disney Animation Studios has adapted several existing fairy tales into feature films along with creating their own. Among their most recent original fairy tales is Encanto.

What makes Encanto a fairy tale? There is a lot of magic in the film. A magical candle grants the grieving Abuela Alma a magical house. When each child in the Madrigal family turns five, they get a magical gift that will make the miracle grow. Every child has gotten a gift, except for Mirabel. 

I've heard someone say there is not much to Mirabel's character, but the point is her being ordinary. She's quirky, but her personality is still distinct from that of, say, Anna from Frozen. Even though Mirabel claims to be content with her position, she feels as if she has to do more for her family (as she expresses while singing "Waiting on a Miracle"). She also struggles to take responsibility for the harm she's done. Most of us have been there before. I feel for her when her family talks down on her, too.

Mirabel is the first Disney female hero to wear glasses along with the first to be ordinary. Isabela, Mirabel's "perfect" sister, could've been the protagonist. Her other sister, Luisa, has the body type of a muscular man. Disney is updating their stories once again; like earlier films such as Frozen and unlike  live-action remakes such as Mulan, the changes came from the story's heart and are not advertised. 

One thing I appreciate, as a Christian, is how Mirabel contronts Isabela even though she does not want to because of her initial meanness. Yet, as they sing "What Else Can I Do?" Isabela changes. This reminds me of how God may call me to go against my desires, but it is for His good. 

Each member of the Madrigal family have memorable personalities and gifts. I have not forgotten Pepa's cloud nor Camilo's transformations (he even transforms into other characters from the film). Even Bruno's creepy vibe stands out. At first, viewers might wonder why Bruno was shut out from the family. After watching a few times, though, they will get it. Besides, who can definitely forget "We Don't Talk About Bruno"? Except we were just talking about him all the time. 

Alongside the teen and adult characters, there are also a host of child characters who pop up every now and then. There are no talking animal or object sidekicks, which appear in too many animated films. 

As with many Disney animated films since 1989's The Little Mermaid, Encanto is a Broadway-style musical. Few of these films serve as musical prototypes, though. The Lion King has six songs, for instance, and Frozen has most of its songs during the first half. With about nine Columbian-style musical numbers spread evenly throughout the film, though, Encanto serves as an exception. 

Not only is Encanto the perfect example of a musical film, but it is also one of Disney's best examples of a family film with a mix of adult and child characters. Such a mix is rare in animated Disney films as family-oriented as they may be. It has also continued Disney's tradition of representing diverse cultures. Many Columbian viewers, especially children, have been able to see themselves in the media. One more thing I appreciate as a Christian is the message of our value as individuals, regardless of talent. 

It is no wonder Encanto has been a cultural phenomenon last year. Unlike Frozen before it, though, this is not a film viewers can get sick of anytime soon. 

Have you seen Encanto? What do you think about it?

The Princess Diaries

The Walt Disney Company has made a lot of princess-themed movies over the years, from the classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to the newly-released Wish. Hence, it is of no surprise that the company adapted Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries novels into a different kind of princess film.

The Princess Diaries follows fifteen-year-old Mia Thermopolis as she argues with her mother and struggles at school, particularly dealing with bullying refusing to debate. However, things take a turn when her paternal grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia arrives and orders Mia to take on the role as Princess of Genovia now that her father has died. 

Mia initially did not want to be a princess. She even walked away from her grandmother because of it. This is one of the film's most relatable moments along with her relationship and identity struggles. The conflict intensifies as Mia questions why her mother lied about their identity for most of her life. 

The film's high school setting and focus on teenage angst and relationship make The Princess Diaries feel more like a Disney Channel film than one from Walt Disney Pictures. Especially for those who ever watched Disney Channel original movies such as High School Musical and Camp Rock, the feel can invoke nostalgia. However, it also makes the film a bit too lighthearted and pristine. The plot feels slightly predictable at times, too. 

One more problem I have with the film is the meshed music. There are snippets of pop songs that play during scene transitions along with lovely classical scores that could play in a palace. The pop songs were engaging, but sticking only to the classical scores would've given the film a more classic Disney touch. 

On to the characters. Anne Hathaway (pictured at top) portrays Mia as an awkward but chatty teenage girl. She starts out with curly hair, but it becomes straight nearly halfway into the film. As started above, her initial reluctance to become a proper princess under her grandmother's training is relatable. How many teenagers want a proper lifestyle? She becomes more willing to accept her new role as she grows in character throughout the film, though. Her princess gown is stunning, too, and shines alongside that of Queen Clarisse Renaldi.

Queen Clarisse Renaldi, played by the iconic Julie Andrews, shines as Mia's proper and sociable grandmother. Mia's mother Helen, an artist who also comes off as a late Boomer parent, also delivers memorable moments. A highlight is when she allows Mia to cry, which a lot of parents fail to do.

There are also the characters with Disney sitcom tropes: the mean girl cheerleaders, the girl's best friend, and the teenage boyfriend.  Their interactions are resonant with Disney sitcom relationships, too.

Coming from a company that mainly produces family-oriented films, The Princess Diaries feels more like a Disney Channel teen film in several areas. I can understand why; the movie is adapted from a teen book series. Yet, there are many charms to this harmless princess film: memorable character performances, relatable moments, a lovely classical score, and uplifting messages about what a real princess is.  

For viewers who are torn between Disney Channel original movies and classic Disney princess films, The Princess Diaries is a stunning compromise. 

Have you seen The Princess Diaries? What do you think about it?

Cinderella (Lotte Reiniger)

Before Walt Disney, Lotte Reiniger (1899-1981) pioneered silhouette animation. Several of her films were also based on fairy tales, including her 1922 masterpiece: Cinderella. I watched it for free on YouTube.

Unlike Disney's Cinderella and most other film adaptations, Reiniger's version is based on the Grimm Brothers' tale. As a thirteen-minute short film, Cinderella simplifies its source material to the core parts: Cinderella's abusive stepfamily, picking up lentils, transformation, the ball, and the slipper search.

Reiniger's Cinderella is the creepiest version I've seen. The black silhouettes, the flute music, and the lack of dialogue especially create this feeling. Plus, the mother's grave happens to be in an actual graveyard in this version; typical cemetery gates even appear before Cinderella's departure. One more thing that makes the film creepy is the stepmother's and stepsisters' ugly features.

The stepmother's and stepsisters' ugliness pose a problem in this feature. In the original Grimm Brothers' tale, the stepmother and stepsisters were beautiful on the outside but wicked at heart. Reiniger maybe wanted to show their villainy, but it can wrongly teach kids to associate ugliness with wickedness.

This version of the tale is mostly a basic retelling of the source material. The only creative elements are the prince finding Cinderella at her mother's grave and Cinderella going in and out of the cellar before and after her stepsisters try on the slipper.

There is not much technically wrong with Reiniger's Cinderella (it's a short film, after all), but I prefer more complexity and creativity in fairy tale movies. Hence, this film is just okay. 

Have you heard of Lotte Reiniger's films? What do you think of Cinderella?

Pinocchio (Disney Animated)

After the successful release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Walt Disney wanted to make an even better film. That film, released in 1940, is Pinocchio.

The plot in Pinocchio sounds like it would only resonate with children: a wooden boy learns to be honest, kind, and selfless so that he could become real. And yes, Pinocchio was adapted from Carlo Collodi's children's novel. However, the underlying themes of resisting temptations and becoming pure can resonate with viewers of any age. There's dark stuff in Pinocchio, too. 

Even though the dark scenes, especially Lampwick's donkey transformation, has scared many children, these are part of why the film works. Pinocchio emphasizes purity, a message strengthened by horrific "or else" events: one who gives in to temptation could be trapped in a bird cage or, worse, become a donkey. There is also a Christian connection here. Jiminy Cricket represents the Holy Spirit and the donkey transformation eternal punishment in Hell.

Pinocchio may get scary at some points, but it is much lighter compared to Carlo Collodi's original novel. Walt Disney lightened the story by making Jiminy Cricket look more like a tiny gentleman than a cricket and Pinnochio more like a cute child than a puppet. Yet, as he did for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Disney believed young viewers could handle dark moments as long as there's a happy ending.

In addition to the dark moments, there are more Christian motifs in the film. The "blue fairy" who grants Pinocchio life represents an angel answering woodcarver Geppetto's prayer. In addition, when Pinocchio sings I've Got No Strings, it alludes to born-again Christians' "broken chains."

The animation in Pinocchio, alongside improving from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, is impressive. How can they animate so many wall clocks at once? The characters convey a lot of emotion, too.

One of the best parts of Pinocchio, though, is the music. When You Wish Upon a Star, the film's opening and closing scene, became Disney's anthem. Hi Diddly-Dee and I've Got No Strings have a jolly beat that makes them standouts, though. 

The only problem I have with Pinocchio is the pace. It can be unpleasantly slow at times, especially during the underwater scene. Yet, it was never slow enough to make me fall asleep. A lot of older movies move at a slow pace, too. 

Overall, Pinocchio truly is one of Disney's greatest, if not perfect, films. It has the Christian message of pure character growth along with engaging characters, animation, music, and some horror. 

What do you think about Pinocchio?