Review: Encanto

Source: Encanto (2021) - Photo Gallery - IMDb

As I said in my review of tick, tick.. BOOM!, this has been the year of Lin-Manuel Miranda; and now we are now into his final big project of 2021; working with the team behind Zootopia to create Encanto, the 60th feature film for Walt Disney Animated Studios. 

(Side note: 60th... WOW!!)

Set in a Columbian valley, we follow the Madrigal family, who have been blessed with a magical house (or casita) and who each have been given a magical gift: one is super strong, one can make flowers appear out of nowhere, another can change the weather depending on her mood etc. Well... all except one. 

Mirabel is the only one without a gift (the Squib you can say); but as the magic starts to die, she becomes determined to save the magic and make her family proud. 

What you may think is an adventure story, the core focus is about the Madrigals themselves as a family; quite similar to Coco. 

What I can first say off the bat is that holy crap this film looks beautiful! This is one of those Disney films that uses colour masterfully; bright and lively in the valley; warm and light in any scenes involving magic from the candle; to the darker and greys when the danger seeps in. Take the scenes for example in which Antonio is playing in his Tardis-like rainforest room with the animals, or when Isabela produces flowers, and be prepared to grab your spoon to scoop your jaws off the floor. 

And I am only just getting started with the level of detail given; to the textures of each and every material, to little details on the costumes, to.... 

I need to talk about the casita...! And as the little kids in the beginning say "IT IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RELAX!!"

The Madrigal casita is a character in its own right in this film, and the way it is animated is on a whole other level. Its not some weird Pee-Wee Herman nightmare fuel with eyes in the windows and a giant mouth or anything. It is more as if the castle in Beauty & the Beast became alive as well as the household objects. 

Source: On My Way Running GIF by Regal - Find & Share on GIPHY

The casita can move every hinge, tile and floor board independently of each other, allowing it to move objects or people around. You get a glimpse of it in the trailer, but oh boy to does the casita really show what it can do in the full movie! 

As we've talked about the casita as a character, may as well link it to the cast; the star character for me definitely being Mirabel, as she is our eyes throughout the film. I found her incredibly endearing and relatable, with half the recognition going to Stephanie Beatriz' outstanding voice work. This was not her first LMM project, having also played Carla in In The Heights earlier this year - completely different type of character to Mirabel. What is even more remarkable is that she according to Miranda, she recorded Mirabel's big solo Waiting For A Miracle while 8 months pregnant! 

While we're at it, can I commend Disney for making Mirabel not just another lady of colour, but also a woman with curves! Muchas gracias! 

Source: Encanto (2021) - Photo Gallery - IMDb

As for the other members of the family, they have their own distinctive personalities, which is reflected in their respective songs, particuarly in Luisa and Isabela's case with Surface Pressure and What Else Can I Do respectfully. 

Speaking of which, let's finish with the other big selling point, which is the first Disney film Miranda as composed songs for since Moana. With combining traditional Columbian beats, his typical hip-hop, and a little bit of Disney (or casita) magic, they may not be as easy to get into your head as Moana's or even those in Vivo, but they are still incredibly fun and want to have you attempt to salsa, tango or break dance in your seats, depending on which song is playing. 

To be honest, I felt I needed to have a second listen before I make my mind up about them; so I have been listening to the soundtrack while I have been prepping my notes for this. It is one that I think improves the more you listen, partly as you start to hear the subtle differences in each one. As my personal favourite, I would say The Family Madrigal , as that is the one that gets stuck in your brain (besides the title track of course).

Source: Encanto (2021) - Photo Gallery - IMDb

Of course I am going to say go watch this film. It is Disney; it is Lin Manuel-Miranda; it is a heart-warming piece immersed in Columbian culture almost as much as Coco was in Mexican culture. 

If you are looking for a holiday family film without a hint of Christmas in it, than Encanto is una elección fabulosa 👌

Also, before the film would start (in cinemas at least), they play an animated short called Far From The Tree, which is absolutely adorable! So make sure you get there in time to watch that.

As much as I have loved binge sessions on Disney + over the past 18 months, Encanto is proof that the best place to view a Walt Disney Animation Studios piece is on the big screen. I really hope you check this film out, and leave shouting "Me encantó!"