As Walt Disney Animation gears as much as launch its latest film, Want, I’m nonetheless enthusiastic about Encanto. The film was launched theatrically in November 2021, but it surely actually discovered its viewers on Disney+ (very similar to the more moderen streaming hit Elemental). Although it’s nonetheless pretty latest, it is grow to be considered one of my most-watched Disney animated films. I simply can’t get sufficient of the Madrigal household. Nevertheless, I do have one main problem relating to how Abuela Alma’s story is informed.
Whereas many Encanto followers are busy hoping the film will get a sequel sooner or later, I’ve been busy analyzing how and why the creators determined to deliver Abuela Alma’s origin story to life. Don’t get me flawed, it really works within the film’s context, but it surely may have been so significantly better.
Abuela’s Origin Story Is Touching
After we first meet Abuela Alma in the beginning of the film, we study that she is the matriarch of the Madrigal household who places her religion right into a magical candle after it helps her and her triplets begin a brand new life with out her husband. It’s a fast opening montage that works to arrange who she is and why she has religion within the candle.
Nevertheless, after the transient introduction, we get thrust into the story by watching the Madrigals arrange for Antonio’s present reveal (not superpower) ceremony, whereas additionally studying that Maribel’s ceremony didn’t go in keeping with plan. We then watch as Abuela Alma pushes Maribel apart to deal with Antonio, going so far as retaining her out of a household portrait session.
After that gut-wrenching scene, Abuela Alma turns into the antagonist in Maribel’s life. She doesn’t imagine her when she warns them concerning the Casita falling aside, and she or he doesn’t appear to supply her the identical care and love she provides the remainder of the children. It’s straightforward to hate her as a result of we don’t actually perceive the place she’s coming from.
It isn’t till the third act that we get an in-depth have a look at Abuela Alma’s origin story. After discovering Mirabel on the river the place Pedro, her husband, died, Abuela tells her the entire story. She explains that she places a lot religion into the candle and preserving the magic as a result of it is the one factor that saved her going after the tragic loss.
For the primary time, we see simply how unhealthy issues have been to make them flee. In truth, it wasn’t Pedro’s sacrifice that stopped the guards from coming after them, however the magical flame of the candle that saved Alma and all of the villagers. She then turns into the one everybody turns to regardless of being a younger mom who has simply misplaced her husband. And whereas this story makes me so emotional, and I had a brand new discovered respect for Abuela after listening to it, this reveal comes very late within the film.
Abuela’s Backstory Is Revealed Manner Too Late Into The Film
After watching the scene, I immediately felt unhealthy for pondering Abuela Alma was the villain of Maribel’s story. It’s not like she purposely got down to harm her. She was simply terrified about shedding the magic that saved her life. Abuela Alma’s tragic backstory isn’t any excuse for the way in which she handled Mirabel, but it surely does put some issues into perspective.
Had the writing crew behind Encanto chosen to offer us the entire story up entrance, I most likely would by no means have had such harsh emotions about Abuela Alma. All the narrative would have modified from that time on however for the higher. I positively wouldn’t have spent a lot time rolling my eyes at her, and as an alternative, I might have felt a stage of empathetic frustration towards her character.
In addition to, it’s not like Abuela Alma was ever actually a Disney villain. She all the time had pure intentions. If something, she was merely an antagonist in Mirabel’s life, which isn’t the identical as a villain.
No matter how Abuela Alma’s origin story is informed, Encanto continues to be a heartwarming film that all the time manages to make me cry. These with a Disney+ subscription can rewatch the magical Madrigal household’s story now, and don’t neglect to maintain checking again for any and all updates concerning upcoming Disney films like Want.
