Encanto [2021]

 Yesterday I have finally watched Encanto. I mean, there are so many different theories on youtube I didn't want to watch without seeing the movie... But the premise of the movie just didn't speak to me so I was putting it off. And yesterday I finally had some spare time after finishing Venom: Let there be Carnage. So I bit the bullet and I have to say that as much as people are saying they enjoyed it, there just was too much music and singing. I don't mind (and even enjoy) the occasional song in a movie but this was just too much and to me, it just felt like it totally broke the narrative. I'm not saying it should have been completely song-less, but sometimes, less is more. 

I also didn't enjoy the main character - Mirabel. Honestly, Bruno was much more interesting. For at least half of the movie, he was just shrouded in mystery. And we weren't sure if he was the villain or not. At least that's what it felt like to me. But Mirabel, that's the usual case of a girl who doesn't fit saving the world (or family in this case). And in the end, there wasn't a villain at all! And I just think it needed one. I did finish the movie but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea. It was too plain. 

Or maybe I just watched it at the wrong time. Honestly, watching something like this right after finishing Venom 2? Probably not the best idea, but what else was I gonna watch... The other Marvel movies I want to watch are still only in kino-rip quality... So Encanto it was. 

And I was just disappointed. People are saying Encanto is better than Raja. Maybe. I didn't like Raja all that much either. Just, nope. I think I'm gonna just go back to my Chinese dramas. Right now that would be Demi-gods and semi-devils. And if I feel like it, I'll tell you about it when I finish it.

Share your thoughts about Encanto in the comments if you've seen it.

Bye!

~AnnElfwind

Written on the 11th of March, 2022

Mulan [2020]

 Well, I expected more from it. But I'm biased. I recently watched The Untamed. So yeah. Like, if you've never seen the original Mulan or any Chinese historical drama (made by the Chinese people!), it's not too bad an action flick. But I have! Seen both. Both the original Mulan and recently I've been into watching Chinese drama. So yeah. I'm biased. 

First of. They completely removed Mushu and Shang. As well as changed the name of the main villain. Honestly, Bori Khan sounds nowhere near as epic and badass as ShanYu. Excuse the spelling if it's wrong. I'm too much in the groove to go look it up. But I'm probably correct and if not, I'll edit it later. Back to the stuff they changed - not for the better. 
I could have accepted the switch from Mushu to the Phoenix, sure, why not. But captain Shang was the best character from the whole thing! Him being replaced by an unknown random soldier? Sorry, but I'm not buying it. Honestly, when I hear the words Live-action remake, I kind of expect the plot to stay the fuck the same! At the same time, I understand that some things that are easy to animate might be really hard to do with special effects. Yet! When it comes to Mulan, the only thing that really needs serious special effects is Mushu. And possibly crickee. But that's a different story. 

Next. Why would they even put the Witch in! She brings nothing to the story, only muddles it up. And that stupid redemption sub-plot? Nope. It would have been more interesting if she killed Khan near the end of the movie and turned into the ultimate villain. Also, shapeshifting into a bloody bird?! Again, nope. But again, I'm biased. As right now, I'm watching a Chinese drama - Guardian - and there's a tribe of raven shapeshifters. Yeah, maybe I picked the wrong time to watch Mulan, but I can't help it! I blame The Untamed!