“Encanto” Review

Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) must discover the secret to her family’s magical gifts in “Encanto.”

2021 has absolutely amazed me with people returning to the movie theaters in droves to see new films. I doubted that theaters would survive during these strange times but now I’ve had the opportunity to see some of my favorite films of the year on the big screen. Disney’s animation departments in particular have had a good year with “Raya and the Last Dragon” and Pixar’s “Luca” being wonderful experiences.

Rounding out the slew of animated Disney films this year is “Encanto” which is an incredibly delightful that, like “Coco,” showcases the wonders of Latin America with a beautifully animated story that is capable of entrancing people of all ages. 

Set in Columbia, the Madrigal family live in an enchanted “Casita” which has its own personality and gives each member of the family magical gifts like super-strength, the ability to talk to animals and shapeshifting. The family use these gifts to help the local villagers with all of their problems except for Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) who was not given a gift by the house’s magic and is frequently passed over. When the house starts to crumble and the magic fades, Mirabel must find out what’s going on and restore the magic.

What I love about this film is how it’s both small-scale and gigantic. Most of the film takes place either in this village or in the Casita but it’s so beautifully animated. Several of the Casita’s rooms have a logic like the Tardis from “Doctor Who” and are bigger on the inside. So, while Mirabel’s journey doesn’t physically take her anywhere, it’s still epic nonetheless. 

The film’s characters are all marvelously well-defined, especially since they have such fantastic gifts. In particular, Luisa (voiced by Jessica Darrow) has a lot of insecurity because she carries so much weight (literally and figuratively) with her gift of strength. Mirabel also struggles because she wants to help the community and her family but isn’t given many chances because she has no gift. But when her families’ gifts are threatened, Mirabel doesn’t hesitate to try and find a solution. 

Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) and family outcast Bruno (John Leguizamo) must join forces to find what is causing the Madrigal family’s magic to falter.

Mirabel’s quest leads her to her uncle Bruno (voiced by John Leguizamo) whose gift of envisioning the future has made him an outcast from the family. Both Stephanie Beatriz and John Leguizamo are absolutely wonderful and their performances result in characters who are quirky and funny with a lot of heart. 

As usual, Disney’s animation is wonderful but “Encanto” stands out with a beautiful environment and a sentient house that is able to get across a lot of personality while not saying anything. The vibrant color palette leaps off the screen and I especially loved how the film is never afraid to slow down and embrace its atmosphere. 

Also admirable is how this film has no villain. The conflict within the film is more emotional and between family members as opposed to a simple fight of good versus evil. While I love a good Disney villain, they’re not always necessary. There isn’t even a surprise villain reveal  like in “Frozen” or “Zootopia” in this film, it’s just this family trying to work through problems which is very fascinating. I can’t even think of a Disney film since “Mary Poppins” that did this kind of conflict so well until now.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs are amazing and, after the releases of “In The Heights” and “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” I’m running out of things to say about this man. Encanto’s soundtrack is full of catchy songs that perfectly explain the characters and are still stuck in my head. Songs like “The Family Madrigal,” “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” are wonderful and are sure to get nominations for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. 

For families, as well as lovers of animation, looking for a fantastic film that will entertain as well as tug at the heartstrings, “Encanto” accomplishes all of that in that wholesome fashion that only Disney can provide.