Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.
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And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize
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| Serà un encanto de conocerte ;) |
2020 was the year when the World was changed forever due to a certain pandemic. A pandemic which unfortunately has hampered the World in more ways than one. And regardless of the damage the Covid19 has caused, it`s also affected the movie industry. If things would`ve followed the ways as planned, Raya and the Last Dragon would`ve followed the rut of being another Princess movie that would`ve been released in the Thanksgiving (of 2020). Yet fate had a different turn for Raya, as it was released four months later, in March. So 2021 was a year to actually feature two releases for Disney: Raya and Encanto. 
Not that having two releases in a year is something new for Disney, since they`ve had it before. But it thanks to the Pandemic that we had two releases in 2021. Fortunately the pandemic didn`t truly hamper Encanto, as it fulfilled it`s November 24th release. But Encanto had a 30-day run before being launched on Disney Plus on Christmas Eve. Directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, Zootopia), Jared Bush, Charise Castro Smith and produced by Clark Spencer (Lilo & Stitch, making his first musical), Encanto is Walt Disney Animation Studio`s 60th full-length picture. But also another quite distinctive picture from the House of Mouse. Encanto`s Synopsis, Innovations and Trademarks
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| This will be the new riding pet in the future :) |
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| Both Milo from Atlantis and Owl City would`ve loved this :) |
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| Sorry, I have no treat for you. I don`t know treats for tapir`s :) |
Originally announced as a Latina project that would be a sequel to Moana (or being set in the same universe) with songs featured by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Encanto`s storyline was not announced until 2020. While it was rumored that it would be set in Brazil, it was finally confirmed in Colombia (chosen after careful consideration by the directors and Miranda who wanted to have a Latin-American setting. due to the importance of families).
Which makes it`s setting comparable to other Latin-American set projects; Saludos Amigos, The Emperor`s New Groove, Elena of Avalor and even Pixar`s Coco. At least it makes it a full circle for Miranda to actually helm such a project, for his Latino roots (and unlike Moana, he was involved with the project from the start). Yet what makes Encanto distinctive is that`s it`s a human themed Disney movie starring a female who`s for once not Royal. Which truly is a plus after a decade of Princess centered features. Despite how it`s been implied that Mirabel will enter the famous Princess Franchise.
Yet with Mirabel, Disney has taken the leap and made a quite distinctive design: A Disney heroine who`s truly a departure from the usual Disney heroine look. Due to how there`s so much scrutiny to Disney heroines, at least Mirabel pleases the pleas of a normal looking heroine (unless you`ll count Merida from Brave). But regarding the fact of whether Disney is heading into a new era, Encanto has taken cues from it`s Revival predecessors (by starting the movie by showing our titular lead as a toddler). But at least it`s followed the trend from Raya of having another non-White heroine (regarding the evergoing racial scrutiny that non-White Disney features gets, Encanto has received some. But fortunately not as much yet). Yet with Mirabel, Disney has created another non-White heroine who remains single.The Information About Encanto Revealed to The Public
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| This is for you, CrazyTown :) |
Writing about upcoming properties has become a tradition of mine. But publishing an entry about an upcoming project is slightly different than writing about an existing one. Mostly because you`ll have to take consideration to a movie that doesn`t exist yet. And therefore the information around it (due to Disney`s secret policy) is usually sparse. And therefore we`ll have to take consideration of the information that has been leaked to the public. 
While the project was officially announced in November 2020 as a part Disney`s Investor Day (where Lin-Manuel Miranda sang a song from the movie), there was more information about the characters than it was with Raya (Mirabel`s full name was leaked that same November). Castro Smith and producer Yvett Merino took part in the first Animation Day of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on June 4th, 2021.
However, a true leak of Encanto didn`t happen until June 2021. With a picture of it`s toys. And with a brief picture of a temporary poster. But the teaser trailer (and first posters) wasn`t released until July. Which was pretty late for a teaser for an Thanksgiving feature (the song in trailer, Colombia, Mi Encanto, is performed Carlos Vives. Who’s a native of Santa Marta, Colombia. Who said the song is a celebration of the magical diversity of Colombia).
However, one description from Encanto: A Tale of Three Sisters revealed the synopsis. And how Encanto is a wondrous, charmed place. And how Mirabel discovers that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family's last hope when the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, (which made her a challenge from an emotional level, because of how to balance her struggle). As for more information, in August and beyond the books covers of revealed. As well as the subtitles of various countries. As well it`s been confirmed that voice Mirabel`s voice actress, Stephanie Beatriz wrapped up her voice over work.
However, some crew-members gave a presentation about Encanto via Zoom for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 2021 Leadership Conference. followed by a Q&A session. They also showed a soundless clip with Mirabel coming down the stairs and talking to her parents. In late September, the trailer was released (alongside with some new posters). The premiere was on November 3rd in El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. And the rating was rated PG for some thematic elements and mild peril.
Character Descriptions
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| I`m a female, Latina version of Charlie Chaplin :) |
Regarding the characters, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie
Beatriz) is a 15-year-old girl who`s “lovable, funny, fallible, utterly
human”. Comedy is a hugely important part of her, with a
comparison made to Lucille Ball. Mirabel is a charming and
compassionate young girl with deep issues of self-worth that she hides
behind bravado and humor. And an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her
family. But who also deeply
yearns for something more. She’s also not afraid to
stand up for what she knows is right, something that her voice actress (who`s Colombian on her father’s side) "loves and relate to very
much. Mirabel is a strong-willed who steps up when her family needs help, pushing through any self-doubt about her own worth, only to find out that she's more special than she thought. Beatriz improvised a lot with the part.
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| I`m Hercules` latina grandcousin :) Twice removed :) |
As for the rest of Mirabel`s huge family, there`s Grandmother Alma (voiced by Colombian actress María Cecilia Botero). Who`s lost her husband and has a more constrained color palette for her authority. Aunt Pepa, whose power is to control the weather (voiced by Colombian actress Carolina Gaitán). Pepa is overly dramatic, emotional and her husband loves that about her. Colombian actor Mauro Castillo voices a character named Félix. While American actor of Dominican descent Rhenzy Feliz plays a character named Camilo (who transforms himself at will). The crew were interested in a teen who doesn't quite know who he is yet and is trying on a lot of different personas. 
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| In our world, Jaguars are our brothers and pets :) So they don`t eat humans :) |
Revealed late in the game is Bruno (Mirabel`s uncle). Who`s voiced by Sid from Ice Age, uh no, I meant John Leguizamo (who`s even rapping in the movie),
Bruno is a psychic and his honest, often doomsaying predictions aren’t
always well received
by the rest of the family. So he disappeared long ago, becoming the
uncle no one talks about (and he`s compelling because he`s the guy
that never fits in. But also understands the world
better because he’s wanted to belong to it.” Mirabel`s mother, Julieta, was married to the family and therefore non-magical. Agustín is very accident-prone and tends to get hurt a lot. Who`s voiced by no other than Wilmer Valderrama (That 70s Show). Wilmer is part Colombian on his mothers side and is singing in the movie. The Theme of Encanto
An interesting pattern with the Revival features is how most of them have been founded of a specific theme. The Princess and the Frog featured the issue of wants vs. needs. In Wreck-It-Ralph it was about accepting your bad staple and making the best out of it (and also about self-worth). In Frozen it was about trust, but also about true love and how to melt a frozen heart. Zootopia had it`s overt social commentary, while Moana was about not forgetting your identity. Both of the sequels of the Revival era, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen II, relied on the theme of change. While in Raya it was about the issue of trust. With such diverse themes, one must wonder what the main theme in Encanto was about. But in September 2021 it`s was confirmed; Perspective and understanding. And how each has their own purpose. Still it also has a theme that was similar to Ralph: To accept your fate and make the best of it.
Information
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| I know this looks like the tree from Pixie Hollow. Cause is it`s distant cousin :) |
The songs for Encanto are in English and Spanish. And Miranda
worked on them these last four years. Germaine Franco (Coco) composed the score (which ended recording in September). The first woman to ever compose for a Disney animated film. Two of the songs are entirely in Spanish, with a variety styles of music. The musical styles are character-specific. One of the first songs Lin wrote was Surface Pressure. And he chose a reggaeton-inspired music. It really influenced Luisa`s character. Jared took that character creation back into the script. Lin influenced a lot of the characters.
worked on them these last four years. Germaine Franco (Coco) composed the score (which ended recording in September). The first woman to ever compose for a Disney animated film. Two of the songs are entirely in Spanish, with a variety styles of music. The musical styles are character-specific. One of the first songs Lin wrote was Surface Pressure. And he chose a reggaeton-inspired music. It really influenced Luisa`s character. Jared took that character creation back into the script. Lin influenced a lot of the characters.
The crew used five years to make the movie. It also had 8 internal screenings, and 100 script drafts. And had 3 production coordinators, 1 production supervisor, 2 heads of animation, 6 animation supes, and 109 animators. The directors were the ones who came up with the idea and they started out by researching their own families. Intrigued by the big questions of "Do I really see my family for who they are?" and "how well do we truly know them". Which came from how the creators had huge families. |
| Look at this, Katy Perry :) |
Handling a dozen principle character was challenging. According to Howard, Encanto is a celebration of diversity in more ways than one and how everyone fulfills a purpose in this family. Since the Pandemic prevented some members to travel to Colombia, they had experts to send them footage and material. Designing the house was a challenge, due to how it`s emotion was shown through color and not things. Just like the ocean in Moana, the house of Encanto is a character. The house is literal representation of the emotional connections of the family. From a production design standpoint, the house was inspired by traditional Colombian homes in Barichara, Cartagena, and Salento. 
As for the color art, Mirabel’s parents were given cooler jewel tones. While aunt Pepa`s side of the family were given a warmer palette. As for the walks, Luisa has a strong, iconic pose like a superhero. With Mirabel they really couldn’t hit one ‘walk’ that fit her in every way. So she ended up being animated differently for every shot. Each family member has a uniquely designed room. And each with magic powers have their own room that represents their unique gifts. Through Antonio’s door, working with a botanist, the team paid homage to Colombia’s biodiversity. The background in Isabela`s song number, What Else Can I Do, uses different kind of animation. As soon as the animation department saw the reference for We Don’t Talk About Bruno, they were inspired to work so they decided to put people to work early. Howard and Bush shared a love of music and wanted to tackle one together. And yes, due to Covid, Encanto was produced at the homes at the creators. Even the choreography by the dancers were done by video chat. Yet the dancers had to come up with movements that were imaginary. The film's final running time is 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Epilogue
At the end, it was exciting to look forward to Encanto. Considering that it was apparently something distinctive and rare. And to an extent truly something innovative for Disney. But last and not least the hopes were that it would tur out good. Considering that it`s another original project from Walt Disney Animation Studios and not a sequel, at least those who`ve hoped that the studio would follow the rut of the former could be thankful. As Disney fans have been deeply curious about the fate of the studio after John Lasseter`s departure. As for the reception, Encanto was well received critically. But it`s grosses have been so-so, grossing $91,895,165 Domestically and $207,632,071 Worldwide. However, Encanto became a huge hit on streaming devices and therefore it was qualified as a hit for Disney. Still, there`s nothing else to wish Encanto welcome to the ever evolving Disney Library.  |
| The light will blind you... Like the one from the Weeknd ;) |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBtgjKpmhYc&t=535s (María Cecilia Botero nos cuenta de 'Nuevo Rico, nuevo Pobre' y la película 'Encanto' | Cromos)
I preferred Merida's design. She was an atypical princess in terms of looks but she still had a very dynamic and distinctive design whereas Mirabel comes across as pathetic in comparison. Also good point that every Revival film seems to hinge on a theme.
SvarSlettThank you for this post and updating us on what little we know so far of Encanto. To be honest, I'm really not looking forward to this movie and right now I don't think I'll be paying to see it.
SvarSlett