Like Steven Universe, this movie convinces me that my family needs therapy. My grandfather also died tragically early, but instead of my grandmother forcing everyone to be perfect, it was my mom’s older sisters. There are more of them, and instead of magical powers contributing to the community, it’s about being successful and not a burden to the family. But that shouldn’t be the grandkids’ problem. Or great-grandkids'. I'm certainly not going to expose my daughter to it, though I would like to watch this movie with her someday.
Pepa seems like a bridezilla, and her distaste for her brother has rubbed off on her son Camilo (who reminds me of Wybie from Coraline for some reason). Felix loves his wife as much as Sigurd from Fire Emblem does. Like most people, I identify with Mirabel and also like Luisa a lot. I also like Dolores, and Isabela reminds me a little of Rapunzel. And of course the songs are good (and reminiscent of Moana) because Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote them. “I’m pretty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of service.” Girl, same. I did pick up on the references to Wreck-It Ralph and Maui in “Surface Pressure,” unless those were just coincidences and not reused animations. They could’ve used Herc’s character model from Kingdom Hearts (or made a new CG model themselves), but they went with an original design that has nothing to do with that IP.
I know the Miracle was trying to prove a point by not giving Mirabel a gift (or at least that's the going theory) as well as Luisa's gift fading as she's overworked, but that's kind of messed up. Isabela was beauty, Luisa was brawn, and Mirabel was set up to be brains. It's kind of like what the third fairy's gift would've been if she hadn't had to change Maleficent's curse. Of course, Mirabel is perfect the way she is. They all are. Luisa needs a vacation and a hug. And a pet unicorn. There's no one I really dislike, but I do like Julieta and Augustin as a couple and would like to see more of them together if they do a series like Tangled. With him being accident-prone and her being a healer, I'd be interested in seeing their meet-cute in a flashback.
