I did have a post prepared for today, but it's going to have to wait because I need to take a moment to talk about Ecanto. We finally got around to watching it last week and can I just say, WOW. If you're not sure if this is the movie for you, read this first section for a non spoiler synopsis.
Going into it, you know it's going to be at worst musically fantastic because how can you go wrong with Lin Manuel Miranda?! You can't, obviously. He is a lyrical genius and I have yet to hear a song he has touched that isn't gold. But guess what? It's NOT just musically fantastic! The animation is just stunning. The colors are radiant and I can not stop rambling on about the characters' dancing! The intricacies and speed of the movements are positively mind blowing. If you want to see some of how it was done, follow Jonah Sidhom on LinkedIn, he made a post about how he worked on the animation for Maribel from home.
And as if amazing music and animation weren't enough, the story as a whole is beautifully written and performed. You follow a family who has been blessed with magical gifts, save one, our heroine Maribel. She has no magical gift to speak of, but she seems to be an important piece of the puzzle in saving the miracle the family has been given. I will say no more because I don't like spoiling things, but seriously, go watch it. Like, now. What are you waiting for?!?
Oh, okay, so you have watched it. And you want to take a moment to talk further. Ok. Cool. but just to be clear for others. SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT!! DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM YET!!
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(Did they leave yet?)
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Ok, at this point, you did this to yourself. I was clear there are spoilers here!
While all of my kids really love Encanto, I think it does speak a bit more to the awkward teen who is trying to find their place and the importance of figuring out who you are (despite who others want you to be) and being okay with that. But it also speaks to grandparents and parents about the power they have in shaping the way their children and grandchildren view themselves. The pressures that each of the kids/grandkids feels (and keeps bottled up) in trying to please Abuela and never take their powers for granted is the very thing that is destroying their miracle. I love that there is no villain (if you don't count the raiders who killed Pedro), just humans being human. Making mistakes. Apologizing (painful though it may be at times). And forgiving and moving forward. I am so glad that Mirabel never acquired a power. That her gift of being supportive and honest and a good listener is enough.
Every story has a lesson or moral, intended or not. From this I took away the beautiful reminder that, while we should always be grateful and appreciative of our blessings and gifts in life and use what we have to help others to the best of our abilities, that doesn't mean that we can't also be tired, take a break, and do things for ourselves. Life is about balance folks. And it's also about letting people be who they are, even if that's not who we want them to be.
What did you take away from Encanto? Is there a highlight or lesson I left out?