Encanto 2has the opportunity to follow up on one of the most glaring missed opportunities inEncanto, specifically regarding the character of Bruno Madrigal. Taking place in Colombia, the story ofEncantobegins when Alma Madrigal flees with her husband and children from an armed conflict, which ultimately claims the life of her spouse. Thanks to a magic candle she carries, a miracle whisks Alma and her children away into a protected magical realm that betowsfantastic gifts upon the Madrigal childrenin the form of various magical powers.
One of the most memorable and tragic characters in the bustlingMadrigal family tree ofEncantois Uncle Bruno, one of the original three Madrigal children to be given a power by the powerful Miracle of the Casita.Bruno’s power allows him to see into the future, which causes him no end of ostracization. The song explaining his backstory,We Don’t Talk About Bruno, was easily the biggest smash-hit ofEncanto’s soundtrack, topping both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart for multiple consecutive weeks.
It Was Criminal That Bruno Didn’t Get A Solo Song In Encanto
Even If The Other Song About Him Was The Biggest Hit Of The Film
As great a job esteemed songwriterLin-Manuel Miranda ofHamiltonfamewas able to do in capturing Bruno’s mysterious legend as the black sheep of the Madrigal family, Bruno himself doesn’t get to sing a note throughoutEncanto.WhileWe Don’t Talk About Brunois certainly about him, it’s from the perspective of the many villagers and family members that Bruno perturbed with his visions of the future, driving them to madness as the maladies he predicted ultimately came to pass.
Critically, Bruno himself doesn’t get much of a chance to defend himself or explain his own point of view, even when he does appear later on in the story. While the depth of his true tragedy is certainly hinted at, and protagonist Mirabel is able to relate to Bruno’s struggles due to her own ostracization concerning her lack of powers,Bruno himself doesn’t get to take center stage in a song. He does join the family in the numberAll of You, but this song includes the majority of the Madrigal family.
Protagonist Mirabel is able to relate to Bruno’s struggles due to her own ostracization concerning her lack of powers.
It’s quite disappointing thatEncantodoesn’t allow Bruno to offer his own point of view via song, especially considering how epic the build up of his almost cryptid-like status is inWe Don’t Talk About Bruno.The voice actor for Bruno, John Leguizamo, is also quite the talented vocalist, belting out iconic anthems inMoulin Rouge!, holding his own inAll of You, and even managing to carry a tune while doing a ridiculous voice like Sid the Sloth’s inSid’s Sing-A-Longin Ice Age: The Meltdown.
What Encanto 2’s Solo Bruno Song Could Sound Like
Bruno Is A Multifaceted Character That Provides Some Great Musical Inspiration
There are manydifferent directionsEncanto 2could possibly takea Bruno solo song should they choose to rectify this glaring missed opportunity in the sequel. Although he’s been accepted by the rest of the Madrigal family by the end ofEncanto, it would be difficult to say that Bruno’s transition to living among people again after spending literal years trapped in the backrooms of the Casita with only rats for company. The heavy psychological weight of his power is as much of a curse as it is a blessing, something Dolores even mentions inWe Don’t Talk About Bruno.
Although he’s been accepted by the rest of the Madrigal family by the end ofEncanto, it would be difficult to say that Bruno’s transition to living among people again after spending literal years trapped in the backrooms of the Casita.
A Bruno song could reflect this internal turmoil by reflecting the ominous, anxious nature of Bruno’s gift. The tone could be a good deal bleaker or more stressful than the average Disney anthem, perhaps utilizing repetition or more epic-sounding elements like heavy choirs or blaring brass centerpieces to sellthe futility of trying to change the future once it’s carved into one of Bruno’s green slates. Disney could really use a big hit after the lukewarm reception of the soundtracks ofWishandMoana 2, and a Bruno song could be the perfect place to mine one inEncanto 2.
