Ladies & gentlemen, I never saw today’s review during a weekend. However, I did see it probably around the middle of the week last week. That’s right! Today, we are going to be reviewing the latest offering in the Walt Disney Pictures/Walt Disney Animation Studios library. Not to mention that it’s the second of two Disney animated features to be released in this year alone, in 2021. Wow, this is the first time that Disney has made such a move since 2016, when the company released both Zootopia, and Moana in March, and November of that year respectively. And now, this year, Disney released both Raya & The Last Dragon, and this film, Encanto in March, and November of this year respectively. Granted, it was unplanned this time around, because of COVID. But hey, at least we got two animated films from Disney once again, regardless. So now, let’s talk about a new landmark in Disney, with this film being Disney’s 60th animated feature, the one, and only Encanto.
Plot: Set in Columbia, being a story of Colombian mythology, the story revolves around a Latin American family called the Madrigals. Abuela Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero) is the head of this family, with granddaughters Luisa (Jessica Darrow), Isabela (Diane Guerrero), Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), and a grandson named Bruno (John Leguizamo). Although her two older sisters, Isabela, and Luisa have special talents, and gifts like being strong enough to lift really heavy objects, or bringing flowers to brighten people’s days, along with her parents, and other relatives having special gifts, Mirabel surprisingly has no gift. The Madrigals home (also known as an Encanto) is full of magic as well. But one day, the house begins to slowly, but surely fall apart. So now, though having no special powers of her own, can Mirabel discover the root of what’s causing the house to fall apart, and fix the problem once and for all?
I will say that when I first saw this trailer, I was excited very excited for it. Still, I had wondered if it would be a little too similar to films like Disney’s Moana, or the 2017 Disney/Pixar film, Coco. After finally seeing this film, I will say that even if Encanto may be a mythology story like movies like those, Encanto succeeds in being a movie of it’s own. Yes, Mirabel may look very much like Moana in terms of both characters having curly hair, and darker skin, for example. Still, Encanto succeeds in being a unique film of it’s own. In fact, after seeing Encanto, you’d be surprised by how much it stands out from many other Disney animated films. Oh yes, there are elements of Encanto that have been in the majority of Disney animated films like a good story, songs that characters sing, side characters that don’t seem to be as involved in the story this time around, but are still developed well, and are fun to have onscreen while you have them, and things like that. However, what really makes Encanto stand out is how certain plot twists are handled differently than in Disney animated films, or movies overall, and how this movie seems to have this peculiar way of avoiding quite a few cliches that were found in many of Disney’s many other previous animated films. So does that make Encanto ahead of it’s time because of that? Well, while something like that could most likely be said about a Disney film like 2003’s Brother Bear, not so much with 2021’s Encanto. What’s even more interesting is that one of the main reasons that Encanto seems to be much more different from other films in the Disney Animated Feature canon library is because of it seeming to go more of a unique route that Brother Bear, or even live-action animal films like 1989’s The Adventures Of Milo & Otis, or even 1993’s Homeward Bound seemed to go. The only difference being that Encanto seemed to have more grit, and excitement than at least Brother Bear, and maybe slightly more than Milo & Otis, or Homeward Bound. And of course let’s not forget that earlier Disney/Pixar films seemed to go a more unique route of this kind (Toy Story films, and Finding Nemo, anyone?). Now, let’s talk about the characters! How are they, you may be wondering? Well, despite some of them not getting enough screen time, they are developed very well. Considering that is the second time since 2016’s Zootopia that something like that has been the case, that’s saying something, yes? I would say that even if almost every character is likable, the ones that seem to stand out the most are Mirabel, and her siblings, Bruno, Luisa, and Isabela. I mean you talk about a family that, no matter if you’re Latin American, Caucasian, or a family, of any other nationality, you can easily relate to most, if not all of these characters, and maybe even anyone else in this family. Now, I’m sure some of you may be surprised about me making comparisons between this, and 2016’s Zootopia particularly, but please bear with me for one more moment. Not only are the characters really likable, and well developed no matter how much screen time the characters have on both films, but most of the characters in both Zootopia and Encanto are very relatable in one way, or another. Not to mention that the visuals, the animation, and world building overall in both films is so colorful, and wonderful to look at. Now, how about the songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda? Well, while his soundtrack may not be quite as memorable as his songs in 2016’s Moana, at least not at first, it wouldn’t be surprising if the songs were to grow on a person that sees Encanto after seeing it 2-3 times, or even more than that, specifically to those people who see this film, and are Disney fans, or have loved songs from Disney even up to this point. The same can likely be said about Germaine Franco’s score. Yes, James Newton Howard’s score for Raya & The Last Dragon may be a more memorable than the score in Encanto, and may be the one that’s more likely be the one nominated for Best Original Score, if not win that Oscar. Still, again, Franco’s score in Encanto is very good too. Another thing to mention is how could one not like the voice acting? Sure, we may not have too many big names, aside from John Leguizamo, whom many of us may remember for his famous voice role of Sid the sloth in the Ice Age movies. Still, no matter how well, or little known these voice actors are, they do a great job of with their speaking roles, as well as their respective singing roles for each of these characters in this Disney film. Finally, people are bound to love Encanto for it’s themes of forgiveness, having love and compassion for others, and learning to be broken, being real with yourself, and with others around you instead of trying to put on a mask, and being this fake person, and putting on a show for others. Honestly, seeing as this has been a problem with many people especially in the church, people can easily take lessons from different portions of the Bible, and with fictional stories like Encanto. Not to mention that different groups of people, both in, and outside of the church, but especially inside the church, could easily discuss an aspect like this with each other. And again, how about the other lessons being really good that I mentioned just a moment ago too?
And that’s my review for Disney’s 60th animated feature, Encanto. It is a Disney film that has songs that will most likely grow on you in time, has likable, and relatable characters, a story that is very unique from other animated films from Disney, and some timeless lessons that can serve as great reminders even to people living today. If you haven’t seen this film yet, definitely see it ASAP. Also, try to see it in theaters quickly, since it won’t be in theaters for too much longer. This is a film that is worth seeing on the big screen like most of Disney’s other animated features. It does a great job of deviating from Disney’s many other films, and trying to tell a story unlike any other. Sure, Christian parents should make sure that their kids have a strong faith in Christ before seeing a film like this, since it’s a mythology story. That aside, this is a wonderful film that will hopefully be remembered in the years to come. also, it wouldn’t be surprising if people were to want to own it on DVD/Blu-Ray when it gets released on video in the next few months, or sometime like that. Yes, many people may have Disney+, and might want to naturally watch a film like this on there. However, Encanto is one of those films that deserves to both be seen in theaters, and be owned on DVD/Blu-Ray. So yeah, again, definitely make a point to see Encanto whenever you can. It will be worth your time, for sure. Oh, and there’s one more thing! Before Encanto plays, there is a short film called Far From The Tree that plays for around maybe 5-10 minutes. That’s another reason to see this movie, is to see that short beforehand. Basically, if you liked Brother Bear, or even live-action animal movies that I mentioned before like The Adventures Of Milo & Otis, or Homeward Bound, I can guarantee you’ll love Far From The Tree. It is a very cute, adorable, and over fun animated short film.
Final Grade: A+
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 