Elena of Avalor is an animated television series that tells the story of Elena, a young princess who becomes the ruler of the Kingdom of Avalor. This Disney Channel show, which premiered in 2016, stands out for its diverse characters and its emphasis on Latinx culture. One of the central themes of Elena of Avalor is the concept of "the magic within." In the show, Elena discovers that she possesses magical abilities passed down through her family lineage. This magic, known as "jaquins," allows her to communicate with animals, perform healing spells, and use other mystical powers. However, the show also emphasizes that the true power of magic comes from within oneself.
Against all of the guards, you might stand a tiny, tiny chance.
The Scepter shows a young Victor and a young Esteban with a stranger on a rowboat, which was Shuriki as she prepared to invade Avalor and take over the kingdom, to everyone s horror. He then joins Ash, who abandons Victor whom she turns to stone and Carla after they refused to join her on her plan to obtain powerful magic from Takaina.
However, the show also emphasizes that the true power of magic comes from within oneself. Elena learns that her inherent strength, bravery, and determination are what truly make her a powerful leader and protector of her kingdom. Throughout the series, she faces challenges and obstacles, but her inner magic and resilience help her overcome any adversity.
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I watched today's Elena of Avalor special, The Magic Within, expecting a drawn-out about Elena getting new powers that cause her dress to change color with her emotions using them to win a temporary victory over her current foe, Ash Delgado. All of this happened within the first few minutes, and then I got something I did not expect--Elena coming to terms with her cousin Esteban's deception. Betrayal has been an ongoing theme in princess shows as of late. Last week's Tangled season premier, Rapunzel's Return saw Rapunzel dealing with the effects of Cassandra's betrayal. The new season of Disenchantment had Bean struggling with her conflicted feelings after learning that her mother was actually evil. Esteban's betrayal of Elena was a little different from these, however, because it happened long before the beginning of the series.
The third season of Elena of Avalor premiered last week and left me underwhelmed compared to the massive revelations in Tangled. Now that we've had a week to recover from Cassandra's betrayal, it's time to face Esteban and all the drama that comes with him. I was extremely impressed with the way the writers handled Elena and her family's reactions to learning the truth about his past. It felt very realistic and also a little dark for a Disney cartoon. Esteban's secret was revealed Elena fell into a magic well that turned her scepter to crystal along with her entire outfit. This new look came with new powers that caused unexpected magical things to happen whenever Elena felt strong emotions. The enhanced power of the staff revealed that Esteban was working with the sorceress Shuriki, during the time that Shuriki murdered Elena's parents, took over Avalor, and banished Elena into Sofia's amulet. Shuriki was defeated in the Song of the Sirenas special, but Elena and her family remained blissfully unaware of Esteban's actions until now.
The easiest path the writers could have taken is to make Elena so angry that her new powers caused some sort of horrible disaster that Esteban would need to solve and earn her forgiveness. That is not the route that they took. Instead, Elena's powers caused some plates and silverware to levitate harmlessly over the table, while she remained calm enough to assess the situation and bring Esteban before the Grand Council. I loved how differently Elena's grandparents reacted to deciding Esteban's punishment. Abuelo wanted to forgive him because it had been over 40 years since his traitorous act, but Abuela knew that people don't change that easily and that a deceptive slimeball will only claim not to be a deceptive slimeball just to avoid punishment. Yet, we still see that she loves him and doesn't think any less of him for disagreeing with her, which is an important message. In the end, I felt that Elena made exactly the right decision to exile Esteban from Avalor. As we see later in the special, locking him up in his own home is not a very effective way to keep him under control.
Initially, I thought that Esteban was like Cedric, one of my favorite characters from Sofia the First who had a beautiful redemption arc that concluded in the finale. However, The Magic Within proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Esteban is beyond any hope for redemption. It was painful to watch him get so many chances to prove that he had changed and then repeatedly make the wrong choices again and again. In a way, he is more of a villain than Ash because he had deceived his own family for years. I am so glad that Elena and the others finally know the truth. Now they have the rest of the season to actually do something about it. It was a pleasant surprise to see that this special focused on something so inherent to the show's roots instead of having a bunch of cheap gags to show off Elena's new powers.
The Magic Within surprised me in a good way. Initially, I had been disappointed with the third season, but I see now that it was important to show Ash solved the puzzle box and find Takaina early on so Elena could get her powers at the beginning of the special and still have time to shift the focus to more important things. I also liked that Elena didn't cycle through a bunch of drastic mood swings just to show off her new powers. This special worked so well because the writers understood that it isn't the emotions that are important, but what causes them. I also appreciate the betrayal theme because I recently struggled with a betrayal from someone who I once thought was a good friend, so it's nice to see that I'm not alone and that even Disney Princesses can't reform everyone.
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The magic within is not limited to Elena alone. Other characters, such as her younger sister Isabel and her friends Mateo and Gabe, also discover their own unique magical abilities and harness them for the greater good. This sends a strong message that everyone has their own unique strengths and talents that can make a difference in the world. Elena of Avalor also showcases the importance of embracing one's heritage and traditions. The show incorporates various elements of Latinx culture, including music, dance, and language. Elena's connection to her culture and her determination to preserve her ancestral traditions play a significant role in her character development and her journey as a leader. In summary, Elena of Avalor explores the theme of "the magic within," highlighting the importance of inner strength, resilience, and embracing one's heritage. This empowering message resonates with viewers of all ages, reminding them to embrace their own unique abilities and be proud of who they are..
Reviews for "Ekena's Legacy: Passing on the Magic of Avalor"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ekena of Avalor: The Magic Within". The story was quite predictable and lacked depth. The characters were also not well-developed, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The animation was average at best, and the dialogue seemed somewhat forced. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Ekena of Avalor: The Magic Within" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was barely coherent and the pacing was all over the place. The voice acting felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the characters. The animation quality was subpar and lacked attention to detail. I found myself checking the time constantly, waiting for it to be over. Not worth watching.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I found "Ekena of Avalor: The Magic Within" to be a lackluster film. The storyline felt recycled and didn't bring anything new or exciting to the table. The musical numbers were forgettable and didn't add much to the overall experience. The dialogue felt contrived and uninspired. Additionally, the animation lacked the polish and attention to detail that I have come to expect from similar films. Overall, it fell short of my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.