In November 2021, Disney+ released the computer-animated film, Encanto. The story and the imagery are magical and wondrous as viewers followed Mirabel and the Madrigal family on an adventure to save Casita and the mystical powers they possess.
Although most Disney projects are gold, Encanto had mixed reviews from fans. As eye-catching and upbeat as the movie was, there are a few unanswered questions, theories, and dropped storylines that the movie never covered. Some Redditors felt that the movie should have been longer to flesh out the characters and storylines that were untouched. Fans continued writing some unpopular opinions on Reddit where they felt the movie went wrong or could have done better.
Updated on September 14, 2022, by Lynn Gibbs:
For the most part, Disney’s Encanto had rave reviews from viewers. The music and storyline were all wondrous and exciting. However, over on Reddit, there were a few fans who asked, “Why is Encanto so bad?” Some felt that Encanto was overrated or that Encanto “sucks.” Reasons range from poor music choices, holes in the plot, and the message it sent to children. Loyal fans defended the movie, but Reddit stood by their justifications.
The Songs Were Too Poppy
Encanto had upbeat and catchy musical numbers throughout the film. The popular opinion is how much fans love the songs and can’t get them out of their heads. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is one song that’s especially memorable.
However, MakinBaconPancakezz hated that Louisa’s song (“Under the Surface”), in particular, “Sounded like a pop song.” Saliners countered that they actually liked the song but hated the dance moves. “I love her song but it made me cringe really hard the way she danced to it,” they said. Saliners continued, “She’s like popping and locking it was so weird and created such a dissonance between her words and her choreography.”
Encanto Came With Too Much Hype
It’s normal for a Disney movie to be accompanied by hype. Considering the global popularity that goes with Disney, most projects knock it out of the park. However, Some_Gacha_girl thought Encanto had too much hype.
They wrote, “For me, Encanto was extremely just meh. Just another cheesy Disney movie about family. Did not hit nearly as hard as Coco did I’ll be real with you.” They further explained that they wished there were “setting changes” and more in-depth details about the rest of the family.
Does Encanto Have A Bad Message?
There are a few messages sprinkled throughout Encanto. Mirabel realized that even though she wasn’t given any magical gifts, she was powerful in her own right. She didn’t need powers to be special or to help. Likewise, as a family, the Madrigals realized they were able to contribute to society with or without Casita.
Regardless of the family-friendly, empowering message, a Redditor thought Encanto’s point was poor. Because of Abuela’s treatment of Mirabel, the Redditor thought Disney could have done a better job of treating Abuela and Mirabel’s trauma. “It’s giving off the impression that as long as you have enough trauma, you can treat someone as badly as you want and that person has to accept it, and for me personally as someone who’s lived/living through that, it is not as lovely as the movie makes it seem,” they wrote.
Bruno Got Too Much Love
Tio Bruno was banned by the family after his gift of fortune-telling led to dark visions. However, because Bruno had good intentions and couldn’t help his visions, fans felt bad that the Madrigals pushed him out of the family. Bruno always meant well.
Some Redditors weren’t sold on Bruno though and didn’t feel bad for how the Madrigals treated him. Naltia told Reddit, “Bruno is NOT a child that needs to be coddled. He’s a fifty-year-old man.” When others came to his defense, the Redditor admitted he was sweet but hated “when people infantilize him.”
The Characters Should Have Lost Their Gifts
Viewers learned in the opening sequence that the Madrigal family had gifts that were gifted to them on behalf of the magical candle that Alma Madrigal possessed. However, when the enchanted candle’s flame started to die, Casita went on the fritz and the Madrigal family lost their powers.
At the end of the movie, Mirabel saved the day and everyone’s powers were restored, but Fra080389 wished it was different. They told Reddit, “They should lose their gifts and open up to the world.” This could be viewed as unpopular because the family never closed themselves off to the town because of their powers. And without the family’s gifts, there wouldn’t be much of a movie.
There Are Too Many Characters
The characters in Encanto are all likable in their own way. They have flaws beneath the surface, yes, but it made them relatable for viewers. Aside from Mirabel, she had her parents, Abuela, Aunt Pepa, Uncle Bruno, sisters, and cousins. The entire family lived in the Casita as a unit.
As colorful as the large family dynamic is, KianaRazor thinks there were too many characters. “There are too many characters and they feel shallow — like you don’t really get to know them except from Abuela and maybe Bruno,” they wrote. While the movie could have fleshed the characters out more, the popular opinion is that they loved the large family unit as it coincides with families within the Latin American culture.
Encanto Wasn’t That Good
According to Animation Magazine, Encanto topped the box office charts with $194,840,032 worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored high with a 93% audience score, proving that viewers enjoyed what they saw. The character details were eye-catching, and the plot was interesting. However, there were still unpopular opinions that the movie “wasn’t that good.”
SleepyJoeBidet told Reddit, “It sucked. I couldn’t even finish it. The music read awful. And the constant whining about having to look perfect was annoying.” This was seen as unpopular considering how high it was ranked by audiences.
Mirabel Was A People Pleaser
As the protagonist, Mirabel did everything she could for the family because a small part of her knew she didn’t have any gifts and felt the need to over-contribute to make a difference.
One Redditor, however, viewed Mirabel as a “people pleaser” and that aspect of her personality tainted the movie because she was giving in to her narcissistic grandmother’s needs because of her traumas. This is unpopular because Mirabel was anything but a people pleaser. She stood up to Abuela, fought against her perfect sister Isabela, and took her Uncle Bruno’s side even though it was unpopular. Mirabel was independent, but she still had a soft side for her family.
Encanto Was Boring
Between the personality types of the characters, bright colors, dance-worthy songs, and stunning imagery, Encanto was anything but boring. The movie came to life on-screen. But in an unpopular opinion, Estoy_Awesome felt differently.
They noted that they “didn’t like Encanto” and felt that the movie was “boring.” They found the music hard to understand, felt that Mirabel tried too hard, and didn’t find the family members likable.
The Characters Used Their Gifts For Selfish Reasons
In the opening sequence, Mirabel is seen telling neighboring children all about her family’s history through song. She explained that her family members have gifts that didn’t just help their family inside Casita, but the surrounding town. Louisa’s strength made work around the town easier, Julieta could cure anyone’s sickness through food, Pepa could control the weather, etc.
In an unpopular opinion, Boring_Concentrate 74 wrote, “The story was pointless. Everyone in the family gets gifts but all they do with their gifts is stay home…they don’t help others with them.” Other fans were quick to respond, pointing out that their gifts created a safer, stronger community.
The Music Was “Terrible”
The one thing that most fans can agree on with Encanto was how addicting the songs were. The songs were written by the legendary playwright, actor, and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda and were all unique in their own way. Between “The Family Madrigal” and “Surface Pressure,” the songs encapsulated the person singing them. But like everything else, there are unusual opinions about the music.
Anon-Ymous929 wrote, “Lin-Manuel Miranda has done some good stuff before, but the music from Encanto was awful.” The Redditor went into more detail for their reasoning, but it’s the songs that brought even more life to the world of Encanto.
A Need For A Sequel Or TV Series
In the world of Disney, there’s always a way to make a sequel, TV series, or short from an animated movie — but that doesn’t mean that every animated movie needs one. Sometimes, the movie is enough and it should be appreciated for what it was. Many Encanto fans like the movie and are fine with where it left off. But others thought the story of the Madrigal family should carry on.
MisterMe987 wrote, “I would have loved to see how the family coped in their new situation. Hopefully, Disney will rectify that by making a sequel or TV series.” The popular opinion is that a sequel or spinoff doesn’t always mean it’s going to be better than the movie.
They Shouldn’t Have Forgiven Abuela So Quickly
The main characters in Encanto are all intelligent and beautiful in their own way. The entire premise of the movie was that each character had something about them that made them special — gift or no gift. Although Abuela only focused on those who had gifts and pushed those without gifts to the side, that didn’t make her a bad person. She simply had traumas associated with her need to keep the magical flame alive.
At the end of the movie, Mirabel accepted Abuela’s apology rather quickly and carried on for the sake of Casita, but TheeAlmightyGamer thought “Abuela being forgiven too quickly” was a flaw. But if Disney didn’t show Abuela and Mirabel’s reconciliation, the end goal of reforming Casita’s magical powers wouldn’t have happened.