Caution: Minor spoilers ahead for Encanto.
Disney's Encanto is truer to the classic 1998 animated film Mulan than the studio's own 2020 reboot. Although the live-action remake of Mulan features some compelling new elements, it was criticized as a poor adaptation due to its significant departures from the 1998 Disney film. But where the remake fails, Encanto shines, echoing the spirit of the original Mulan and Disney tradition.
While the Mulan remake is more faithful to the Chinese poem both films are based on, "The Ballad of Mulan," it sacrifices faithfulness to the uniquely Disney take that audiences around the world adore about the original. This choice unfortunately caused the live-action version to lack the mirth and depth of both the original's storyline and characters. The only exception is the witch Xianniang, the remake's best character. But Encanto, a similar Disney film about a girl who wants acceptance and yearns to bring honor to her family, might just be the better remake while still an original tale.
Mirabel follows a character arc similar to the original Mulan: both start as outsiders, Mirabel in her family and Mulan in her community. Both have heart, wit, and determination, and each wants to make her family proud. Mulan (2020) does away with much of this arc—its gravest mistake. She is still an outsider, but she doesn't seem to care as much as the original Mulan does. Instead, the film is determined to show Mulan as a strong character throughout, which ironically makes her a weaker character as compared to her 1998 predecessor.
Mulan (2020) imbues the titular protagonist with superpowers, "chi," a new element seen neither in the animated film nor the ballad. This element, while visually entertaining, was to the story's detriment. Because Mulan can already lift weights and kick butts, the film is robbed of a journey of growth for her to embark on. Encanto also features superhuman powers, but instead of making its protagonist super-powered, Encanto sees Mirabel struggle with being ungifted and therefore unhelpful to her family. This struggle mirrors the original Mulan's, as she feels she lacks the abilities other girls have to make their families proud.
It goes without saying that the remake removes the traditional Disney spirit of fun from the story it's adapting, much to its detriment. Musical numbers, understandably, are cut out — the iconic songs instead feature as instrumentals — but so are Mushu and the rich personalities of Mulan's fellow soldiers (not to mention the hero herself). On the other hand, Encanto thrives with fun, in the form of vibrant characters, colors, sounds, and more, not unlike the original Mulan, with its compelling characters and invigorating numbers threaded into its dramatic central storyline. Perhaps the solemn take on the Disney classic might have worked if the film was committed to telling the same story.
Disney's Encanto is streaming now on Disney+.