by Rosa Parra
In the animated film, “The Casagrandes Movie,” Punguari is a young demigod, anxious to become a mighty god. While her parents insist she isn’t ready yet, Punguari believes otherwise. The only way to prevent her from acquiring her full potential is by turning her into a mountain.
We are then introduced to Ronnie Anne in the current day, who is turning 12 years old. As she decides to spend her first few hours as a preteen skateboarding with her close friend Sid, her family has different plans for her—a surprise trip to Mexico. Ronnie Anne’s large family is as conventional as it gets: an overly controlling mother; fun, extroverted cousins; and typical grandparents.
The movie pokes at the often-depicted Latino tropes, such as fitting the large family in a vehicle/boat and using “la chancla.” Still, it pays homage to Mexican culture by utilizing bright, beautiful colors and designs while focusing on the Mesoamerican background.
The comic book-like animation is stunning, particularly standing out when it focuses on the Mesoamerican aspect of the story. Most importantly, the film greatly reminds us of the importance of family and community. We can never escape our roots, and our behavior, habits, and courage are often passed down from generation to generation. The lineage of women in this family highlights the importance of strength and doesn’t shy away from pointing out the hypocrisy we the parents act upon when raising our children. We become upset over things we also did when we were young.
Also, this story is yet another reminder of the importance of storytelling. The absence of context always leads to misunderstanding and passes down stories that aren’t entirely accurate. The parallels between Ronnie Anne and Punguari are uncanny. It explains why they initially bond since they have shared experiences.
The story is formulaic, and some aspects may be convenient, but it’s well executed and the amount of love invested is palpable.
Overall, “The Casagrandes Movie” is a beautifully animated kids movie. It’s a fun adventure about family, community, ancestry and rebellious youth. Long live the chancla warriors!
3/5
Film Critic, Rosa Parra, also contributes to The Daily Chela and Rotten Tomatoes. You can also follow her on X.