Encanto Is Not Only Visually Pleasing, But It’s Also Healing, We Love Duality
Image Courtesy: Disney Movies
Disney movie musical fans have seen it all. From the infamous High School Musical trilogy, with songs that are going to live on for the rest of our lives, to the classic Beauty and The Beast soundtrack that quite literally never gets old no matter how many times it’s played over and over again.
Movie musicals have been around for as long as we can remember. Although, something that Disney has been lacking from the grand majority of these memorable movie musicals is inclusion and representation, in every sense, quite frankly. When we were kids, we didn’t know it, but we’d watch our favorite movies and search for characters that looked like us. We hoped to see if we could relate to them, how similar we were, how we could dress like them, and become as close to how the character appeared as possible. That’s why dressing up for Halloween was always so fun, because we wanted to be like our favorite Disney princess or prince. While that is true, there is also another more profound truth: there has always been a need for more diversity, specifically Latinx representation. Therefore, Encanto was the answer to all my prayers.
For example, the Madrigals are a mestiza family, as in they are mixed-race, have different skin tones, hair types, and are Colombian. This is precisely what we needed in the Disney universe. It’s giving everything that it needs to give and more. This movie had me weeping before it was even over, from the absolutely breathtaking colors to the catchy yet heartfelt soundtrack.
And of course, the soundtrack had to be curated by none other than the almost EGOT (just missing the O for “Oscar”) winner Lin Manuel Miranda. Anything that man touches turns to timeless melodies and beautiful lyrics. If I had to pick one person to make a soundtrack for my life, it would hands down be Lin. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” will be playing at my wedding, no questions asked.
Image Courtesy: The Latinx Project
There’s something about feeling seen that really can get to you. Not only does the movie provide great representation in the physical sense but also emotionally. When you watch Encanto, it’s important to pay attention to Mirabel Madrigal’s journey. She is the main character of the movie, and she struggles with how the rest of her family has been gifted these extraordinary superpowers that help the village move forward. But, to her misfortune, she was not gifted with anything, and it puts so much of what we have been taught throughout our lives into perspective.
Because why is it that you have to be amazingly gifted to make a difference? Why can’t we stand out with what we’re given and learn to be incredible by just being ourselves? In the end, Encanto taught me so much and healed parts of me that I wasn’t expecting to be healed after watching a Disney animated film, but that’s where I’m at in my life.
Strike Out,
Maria Paula Gonzales
Boca Raton
Maria Paula Gonzales is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine. When she’s not writing her way through life, she enjoys thrifting, looking for concerts to attend, and spending as much time in nature as possible. You can reach her at mariapaulag97@gmail.com
