rebekah writes stuff.

Tag: Blogging

  • Dragons now – what would it be like?

    Dragons now – what would it be like?

    There’s a reason dragons exist in your fantasy storybooks and myths of yore. They were enormous, there was tonnes of space and nobody had invented the bazooka yet. Yup, dragons just don’t fit in with the 21st century because everybody has a phone, spacious green pastures are few-and-far-between and the army have a lot more than bazookas now at their disposal.

    However, if we suspend our disbelief for just a few seconds … what would it be like if dragons did live alongside humans in the 21st century? In our bustling metropolises, rural villages and our fast food restaurants. Towering over our houses and hopping around night markets. Here are my predictions:

    1. Dragons would make incredibly popular (if not terrible) pets.

    Not all dragons are the same. Think of them like scaly dogs. Where some are tall and broad, others are small and handbag size. You know for a fact that there would be a market for lap-size dragons and ones you can fit in your purse. Instagram would go off. Would dragons take in the footsteps of dogs? Most likely – but forget fur and feathers. Dragons are not only hypoallergenic, but they don’t shed and they can fly. Instead of going for a daily morning walk, you’d be off for your daily swoop. Yup, pet dragons would protect livestock, jump for a frisbee and sit up and watch TV with you, all in exchange for a large, meaty treat.

    2. There would be fire. Lots and lots of fire.

    There is then, of course, the other side that comes with trying to co-exist with dragons. Sure, some will sit on your lap and put your fire on for you, but some will eat you. News headlines would be filled with constant reminders of how lethal dragons can be. Firestorm engulfs The Amazon as state of emergency continues. Ice dragon continues to freeze New York in what is being known as its longest winter blast in history. Dragons are eating the African elephant to extinction. You get the gist.

    Some dragons will destroy your newly built village a week after it is finished. Some will definitely attack aeroplanes and boats, and some will simply stand on you because they’re too big to remember where their feet are. How does one navigate driving down the motorway if they decide to go for a walk? Forget settling down. We’d constantly be running, relocating and rebuilding. Face it, there is no upside from a dragon having an off day. Just have your go-bag ready and invest in the fire department – if they haven’t already burnt it down.

    3. Dragon eggs would be sold on the black market for millions.

    Dragon eggs would be a hot commodity and one that people would pay a ridiculous amount of money for. Similar to the endangered/exotic animal trade, I imagine dragons and their eggs would be stolen and sold around the world. Why? For their power, rarity and popularity.

    4. Dragons would be weaponised.

    Forget dogfights. Wars in the skies would be fought with enormous, toothy beasts with humans at the reigns. Dragons would be utilised as protection for high ranking government officials and countries. They’d be trained to fight in the airforce and the army. They would receive medals and have their photos taken, like the police with their K-9 squad. Whether they’d replace tanks and fighter jets (or simply eat them all) remains to be seen.

    Some dragons, like Smaug, had a hide so tough it couldn’t be pierced by an ordinary weapon. It’s fair to say with how much DNA research is advancing, and the popularity of the Jurassic Park movies, making super dragons with impenetrable skin and multiple breaths, would only take pushing a few extra buttons.

    The idea of a dragon being used (and feared) for its strength definitely feels more fantastical, more medieval. Like the stories we are used to seeing. Nations attacking one another with their own dragons … this would absolutely happen.

    The world loves dragons

    Dragons have a firm place in history, mythology, culture and fiction. Humans are fascinated by their strength, power and personality, so much so, that dragons continue to be present in pop culture. Whether or not they’d co-exist with humans is another story. Happy year of the dragon everyone!

    What do you think of my predictions? Also, tell me who’s your favourite dragon? Are you year of the dragon?? I’d love to know in the comments below!!

    *I don’t own the images btw!

  • What actually happens in Encanto?

    What actually happens in Encanto?

    I watched Encanto a couple of years ago. There was a lot of hype and as a fellow Disney stan, of course I was going to watch it. The experience, however, left me feeling, for lack of a better word, confused. Waiting a year or so, surely it would’ve made more sense the second time when I rewatched it, right? Wrong.

    Strong start

    Before the title sequence, we are told about Abuela (Mirabel’s grandma) and how in fleeing from her home and losing Abuelo Pedro (Mirabel’s grandfather) to invaders, an ordinary candle became magical and created a refuge for all those displaced. The Encanto. The miracle, as it is referred, includes a magical house called casita and tall surrounding mountains. The magic candle also provides powerful gifts. Abuela’s children and her children’s children have all gone on to receive gifts. Well… about that…

    Our protagonist is Mirabel and we discover that at her ceremony, she didn’t get a gift. We’ve only just started and at this point, I’m hooked. Why didn’t she get a gift? What does this mean??

    A few years later, we can see how Mirabel’s lack of ’giftness’ changes how she is treated. As much as she tries to be part of family life, Mirabel is pushed away, especially by her Abuela. But why? People who are married into the family don’t have gifts, plus there’s a whole village down the road full of people with no gifts either!

    On this particular day in the film, it’s Antonio’s gift ceremony. He’s worried he won’t get a gift and will end up like Mirabel, but nooo. Instead, the miracle provides and Antonio receives the super amazing gift of being able to talk to animals. Poor Mirabel. What is the deal??

    Plot is thinning

    After Mirabel is blatantly left out of a family photo (like??!!), cracks appear in the casita. And, of course they disappear when she calls everyone for help.

    Something is clearly wrong with the magic. The next day, she asks Luisa (her older sister with super-strength) if she noticed anything at the ceremony. Luisa says she felt weak. Then there’s something to do with a vision and Bruno’s (her uncle’s) tower.

    In the abandoned tower, Mirabel finds Bruno’s vision and after We Don’t Talk About Bruno, she finds out that she is the reason the magic is wobbling… but we sort of already knew that, didn’t we? Dolores (her cousin) then blabs to everyone about Bruno’s vision and a proposal dinner is ruined and then Mirabel is blamed for trying to ruin the family yet again. So … now what?

    Plot is liquid consistency

    Mirabel follows some rats and finds her estranged uncle Bruno living in the walls of the casita. Now, we really need to talk about Bruno. He has been living in isolation for years inside the kitchen walls. He even has his own plate drawn on the table oh my god. This family sucks.

    Mirabel is still determined to save the miracle – still not quite sure what this means – and she asks Bruno to look at the vision again. When they do, the vision reveals the solution is … to hug her sister Isabela. Really? Is this just Frozen all over again? So, wait, the solution to the cracks in the casita, the weakness in the magic, is for Mirabel to apologise and hug Isabela? What?

    Plot has evaporated

    Where are we now?? Oh yeah. Isabela and Mirabel patch things up but the miracle isn’t saved. Abuela and Mirabel have another argument and the casita collapses and the candle peaces out. The mountains encasing them split open and Mirabel ups and leaves. Godspeed, Mirabel. Go and find people who actually love and care for you. Here, I’ll help you pack.

    Her Abuela follows her. She talks about the tragedy of losing Abuelo Pedro all those years ago and how she was so worried about the miracle leaving. I mean fair enough, it’s very dark and intense what Abuela and Abuelo endured … but then Mirabel just hugs her and all is forgiven? After all that?? So wait, was the solution that she was meant to hug her Abuela?

    Then they build the casita again and everyone gets their powers back and wait, was the candle the grandad? But how can they have their powers if the candle is burnt out?? Speaking of forgiveness, Bruno just forgives Abuela after years of neglect and isolation. Again, how??

    I’m lost

    Encanto is, visually, a beautiful film. It’s colourful and the animation is seamless, plus there’s a jaguar (winning!). Its messages are also solid… sort of. It’s true, you don’t need to be perfect. Encanto tells us that you’re more than your gifts. That you’re special just as you are, even though Mirabel was treated as an outcast for a majority of her life.

    Plot-wise, the story is long winded and littered with plot-holes. Did the magic specifically not give Mirabel a gift so that she would cause conflict? Then why give Antonio a gift? *Sigh* Mirabel deserved so much better. What caused the magic to wane? The fact Mirabel was being excluded? I can’t help but feel like she’s trapped in the Encanto and would fare much better out of it. There was a wonderful opportunity for the story to have shown why Mirabel wasn’t given a gift and perhaps taken us on a different journey. Instead, the main storyline is muddled in the lives of other characters.

    So, what do you all think? Do you feel the same or differently? Can you answer any of my plot questions?? Let me know your thoughts on Encanto!

    Are you following the @rebekah_writes_stuff instagram?

    Also don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list!