Encanto - A Movie Review

We have to save the magic before it disappears forever.

Encanto is Disney’s 60th animated feature film. Mirabel is the only member of her family without a special power. Feeling felt out, she soon realizes that the magic is dying. Mirabel has to save the magic before it disappears from her family forever.

As a big Disney fan, Encanto immediately appealed to my interest. Sitting in the theater with several children, Encanto is a vibrant film that holds a strong message. As a whole, Encanto didn’t have a strong story, instead, relying on visuals to guide the story.

Mirabel’s bright spirit is a trait that we have not seen in Disney films lately. Feeling left out of her family due to never acquiring a special power, Mirabel is determined to find the magic. The journey that unfolds opens her mind to a world that she never thought of before.

Encanto has an ensemble of memorable characters. My favorite character was Louisa. She’s a female character that we needed for a long time in a Disney film. Honestly, I found her story to be the most interesting out of all the characters. I wish the film could have focused more on her.

All the characters are witty and energetic. Most of them are cliches like the grandmother who has a difficult time accepting change, the loving and doting parents, and the sister who thinks that the world revolves around her. There weren’t enough interactions between the characters. And there were too many characters.

Writers didn’t give enough time to expand backstories and characters, adding subplots at the last minute. For example, I didn’t know that Mirabel and Isabella had a sibling rivalry until halfway into the film. The film felt rushed.

Not a human character, but I loved the house. Due to the magic, the house was alive. You could easily tell how it felt based on the ways its floorboards danced throughout the house. Overall, this was my favorite element.

The voice cast of Encanto included notable actors. They all found the right emotion. Credits include Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia-Batero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Wilmer Valerrano, and many more.

Disney has evolved in animation. The animation is the highlight of Encanto. I was mesmerized by the tiniest details, the array of colors, and the structure of the house. Every detail down to the last layer was magnified in brightly lit colors. Character designs were also studied well, too.

I just wish that the film could have had a stronger story. The film is about a young girl who is outcasted from her magical family. And that’s it. There should have been more of a sense of conflict. I didn’t grasp Mirabel’s journey or the message that she learned.

First, it was about her lonely world, and then it turned into a story about how her sisters felt overwhelmed by the attention their special abilities gave them. Encanto felt reminiscent of other Disney films. It also wrapped up too quickly. The ending was not what I expected. It flawed the message of the story.

And the songs overpowered the story. Lin Manuel-Miranda created wonderful songs. The young children who were in the theater with me enjoyed them.

Jared Bush and Byron Howard created this film for all kid audiences, influencing them that it’s okay to be different. I would like to thank Disney for a main character who wears glasses. We need more Disney characters to wear glasses! They are a positive message.

I recommend Encanto to Disney lovers and all young audiences. It’s a magical film with an uplifting story.