Disney's Encanto

[DodgerGirl]

In November 2021 Disney's Encanto will make it's debut and the movie's name is taken from the Spanish word for like and will be set in Columbia and although no info on which actors will provide voices of the characters of Encanto I think Encanto will be a huge hit when it debuts. Encanto will also feature music composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I think Encanto will open up a whole new door for Disney as I think 2021 will be Disney's miracle year

 

[BrianL]

I definitely was liking the look of the teaser trailer for this one! It hits that macabre, Haunted Mansion-ish, sort of vibe and looks like lots of fun. I'll be looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I also heard that Disney's Encanto will also feature Disney's first princess from Columbia. I always get so excited when I hear about new Disney movies and when I heard about Disney's Encanto I couldn't wait to discover more about it

 

[DodgerGirl]

It's hard to believe that Encanto is #1 at the box office and it looks magical from the previews. One of my favorite characters from Encanto is Mirabel because she is pretty and stylish with her glasses and funny too. When I was little my great-uncle's sister looked exactly like Mirabel and even wore the glasses too and even though she's no longer living every time I see Mirabel she reminds me of my great-uncle's sister. I wonder how Mirabel got to wear glasses? Because she will be a role model for kids who wear glasses

 

[Karin1984]

It's hard to believe that Encanto is #1 at the box office and it looks magical from the previews. One of my favorite characters from Encanto is Mirabel because she is pretty and stylish with her glasses and funny too. When I was little my great-uncle's sister looked exactly like Mirabel and even wore the glasses too and even though she's no longer living every time I see Mirabel she reminds me of my great-uncle's sister. I wonder how Mirabel got to wear glasses? Because she will be a role model for kids who wear glasses

Probably because Disney has realized that they are not very inclusive with their characters. Female heroines are not just white and perfect. They come in different colors, have flaws. They have also discovered that not all women have a wasp waist, Mirabel has a round face and has a more normal figure. A heroine with glasses was missing in the line up.

 

[BrianL]

I haven't seen it because I was out of town over the holiday. I intend to get to it this weekend though. I have been very excited for it.

 

[supernova]

Probably because Disney has realized that they are not very inclusive with their characters. Female heroines are not just white and perfect. They come in different colors, have flaws. They have also discovered that not all women have a wasp waist, Mirabel has a round face and has a more normal figure. A heroine with glasses was missing in the line up.

It really does seem that all Disney does these days is introduce characters to check off boxes. "Oh look, this is our first ______ character." In the end, inclusion for the sake of inclusion is just pandering.

 

[Karin1984]

It really does seem that all Disney does these days is introduce characters to check off boxes. "Oh look, this is our first ______ character." In the end, inclusion for the sake of inclusion is just pandering.

Definitely. Mexico = Coco, check. South America = Maribel, check. South East Asia = Raya, check. Hawaii / Pacific = Moana, check. Latin = Luca, check.
It's now waiting for the hero with braces, someone in a wheelchair or on crutches, something with a skin condition (anything from acne, psoriasis to Vitiligo) and someone on the spectrum.
For the countries we are waiting for Australia/New Zealand and any country in Africa. If Anastasia hadn't existed, I would add Russia to the list as well.
Do we have Canada yet? Or is Riley from Inside Out from Minnesota close enough to fill that gap?

This all switched off with Frozen 3 - 5 and 3.948 remakes to keep the cash coming in. (Not that movies with above heroes will flop, but more that it will not matter to Disney, they will make sure they have cash cows ready just in case).

I still think it's very telling that for the Disney's Fab 50 statues for the anniversary they mainly chose (animal) side characters, most who do not have a skin colour similar to humans.
They should have more representation for sure, but it really feels like checking off a list.

 

[Kestryl]

It's hard to believe that Encanto is #1 at the box office and it looks magical from the previews. One of my favorite characters from Encanto is Mirabel because she is pretty and stylish with her glasses and funny too. When I was little my great-uncle's sister looked exactly like Mirabel and even wore the glasses too and even though she's no longer living every time I see Mirabel she reminds me of my great-uncle's sister. I wonder how Mirabel got to wear glasses? Because she will be a role model for kids who wear glasses

I’m in my 30s, and honestly I’m THRILLED to have some glasses representation here! (I’m wondering if that’s part of the reason why I bought into Harry Potter so quickly. I’ve been wearing glasses since the third grade!)

Turning Red is also going to feature a lead girl (and one of her close friends) with glasses. It’s a great year for us!

 

[BrianL]

Some folks really get defensive when movie makers explore other cultures. Checking boxes? You might as well say that they did this int eh 90's with Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Mulan. In the 2000's it was Lilo and Brother Bear. Before that it was The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos, right? The argument makes no sense. Yes, sometimes diversity is forced in a clunky way, but when the story is good, then it's just plain good. Coco is brilliant! Raya is a fantastic advenutre movie. They've had 80 years of white antagonists, so it's okay if they add a little more representation. And you know, in the modern era there's been Tangled, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph - all featuring predominantly caucasian characters and all big hits too! If they can tell a beautiful story about any culture, then I'm game for it. As long as it is well done then it won't feel forced, and Disney has been largely getting that right, in animation at least.

The fact that I have not yet seen Encanto is wearing on me!

 

[supernova]

Some folks really get defensive when movie makers explore other cultures. Checking boxes? You might as well say that they did this int eh 90's with aLaddin, Pocahontas, and Mulan. Int he 2000's it was Lilo and Brother Bear. Before that it was The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos, right? The argument makes no sense. Yes, sometimes diversity is forced in a clunky way, but when the story is good, then it's just plain good. Coco is brilliant! Raya is a fantastic advenutre movie. They've had 80 years of white antagonists, so it's okay if they add a little more representation. And you know, in the modern era there's been Tangled, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph - all featuring predominantly caucasian characters and all big hits too! If they can tell a beautiful story about any culture, then I'm game for it. As long as it is well done then it won't feel forced, and Disney has been largely getting that right, in animation at least.

So you're saying that Princess and the Frog wasn't a HR move? I can't imagine working there and having applicants of all backgrounds applying to play a character and because they weren't white, were told that they'd have to hide behind a character mask or walk in a parade as a random dancer. At least this allowed a person of color to now be able to play a princess or prince as a face character. Minor crisis averted.

 

[BrianL]

So you're saying that Princess and the Frog wasn't a PR move? I can't imagine working there and having applicants of all backgrounds applying to play a character and because they weren't white, were told that they'd have to hide behind a character mask or walk in a parade as a random dancer. At least this allowed a person of color to now be able to play a princess or prince as a face character. Minor crisis averted.

No, obviously things like that were considered when they made that movie - however they also created a well made movie that didn't pander. They wanted to feature a character who was black, just as they wanted to do the stories of Pocahontas and Mulan - because they felt there was a need to explore the culture. The important thing is that they do it well, which they generally have. I can agree that not all movies have succeeded at this every time, but that's no reason to balk at every instance. When Elsa is still the primary face of Disney animation, it's hard to argue that they are only interested in "checking boxes."

 

[Karin1984]

I have it less with Aladdin, they were still very much in the classic (fairy)tales era, from there branching out to non-western tales is not much of a stretch.

The story of a magical family where one isn't magical, can be set in every culture (I haven't seen the movie yet, but based on the trailers, it looks like being set in South America was a deliberate choice). I have the same with Raya. A kingdom that falls apart and has to be healed is a fantasy trope that could have been set in any culture. Even dragons are known in almost every mythology and could have been part of the show in more settings (although that was probably jumping on the GoT train which made dragons popular again in recent years). To me these movies feel more like ticking boxes.


It is similar to setting Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them in New York, not because it is essential to the story. No, it's essential to make the movie more attractive to Americans.

Coco is a brilliant movie that couldn't be set anywhere else. The Day of the Dead and the culture is completely engrained with the story. That story feels much more genuine, than others.

 

[Wiltony]

If Anastasia hadn't existed, I would add Russia to the list as well.

Anastasia isn't Disney BTW, though I guess it kind of is now through Disney's acquisition of Fox, if that's what you meant.

Anyway, Encanto was GREAT! I've seen it twice already. Very pretty movie, and I loved Mirabel's style and personality. My favorite part of this movie was how everyone moved and danced. They've really made advancements in animating movement and it was a joy to watch. Music was pretty good and has a few earworms, too.

 

[Wiltony]

I have it less with Aladdin, they were still very much in the classic (fairy)tales era, from there branching out to non-western tales is not much of a stretch.

I understand there is a warning/apology now at the beginning of Aladdin acknowledging the "harmful impact" it has or something.

 

[Karin1984]

Anastasia isn't Disney BTW, though I guess it kind of is now through Disney's acquisition of Fox, if that's what you meant.

No, that's not what I meant, I know it wasn't made by Disney. What I meant was, if another company hadn't taken up the most famous story, Disney would have made Anastasia or another Russian folk tale much earlier.

I understand there is a warning/apology now at the beginning of Aladdin acknowledging the "harmful impact" it has or something.

Yes, because of the lyrics in the opening song. They only don't explain that that is the problematic part. You have to guess what the issue is.
With mentioning Aladdin I meant, that by the time Aladdin was in development, late eighties/early nineties, Disney was still looking on the famous fairytale-train. Aladdin is probably the most famous 1.001 Night story. Besides the approach with Genie, it fitted reasonably well with the fairytales of Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid and the most well known fairytales that came before it. Choosing Aladdin next is not as much as 'let's make sure we have an Arabian heroine'. The Middle East wasn't exactly a market in development for Disney at a time. There I do believe they chose Aladdin, because it was a good story.

 

[BrianL]

No, that's not what I meant, I know it wasn't made by Disney. What I meant was, if another company hadn't taken up the most famous story, Disney would have made Anastasia or another Russian folk tale much earlier.


Yes, because of the lyrics in the opening song. They only don't explain that that is the problematic part. You have to guess what the issue is.
With mentioning Aladdin I meant, that by the time Aladdin was in development, late eighties/early nineties, Disney was still looking on the famous fairytale-train. Aladdin is probably the most famous 1.001 Night story. Besides the approach with Genie, it fitted reasonably well with the fairytales of Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid and the most well known fairytales that came before it. Choosing Aladdin next is not as much as 'let's make sure we have an Arabian heroine'. The Middle East wasn't exactly a market in development for Disney at a time. There I do believe they chose Aladdin, because it was a good story.

See, I think they chose ALL of them because of a good story. I don't think they sat down and said, "We need to have Comombian characters - what's a movie we can make with Colombian characters." I think it's more likely that someone heard some Colombian music and was inspired by it. They start looking into what they could do with it, how it could be presented, etc. That's how creative types think - they look for things in the world that are unique that they can give voice to. Art imitates life. Yeah, Raya has a ton of Asian characters, but so many stories borrow from Asian culture, just lacking the Asian people - like Star Wars for example. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there's also nothing wrong with including them either. Basically, I just don't get the complaints - not when something is done so well. That's all.

 

[Wiltony]

Yes, because of the lyrics in the opening song.

They changed those lyrics years ago, or are you referring to some other still-existing offensive lyrics?

 

[ramee]

They changed the lyrics? I thought it was the barbaric bit.

 

[Karin1984]

See, I think they chose ALL of them because of a good story. I don't think they sat down and said, "We need to have Comombian characters - what's a movie we can make with Colombian characters." I think it's more likely that someone heard some Colombian music and was inspired by it. They start looking into what they could do with it, how it could be presented, etc. That's how creative types think - they look for things in the world that are unique that they can give voice to. Art imitates life. Yeah, Raya has a ton of Asian characters, but so many stories borrow from Asian culture, just lacking the Asian people - like Star Wars for example. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there's also nothing wrong with including them either. Basically, I jsut don't get the complaints - not when something is done so well. That's all.

I do not feel Raya is well done, I think they were on the right track and could have done better. And it is just a different thought, you believe they are genuine with where the movie is placed, that it came out of the creativity of the writers. I believe it was a studio decision to be more inclusive. Choose the missing land/area first and then look for stories.