Encanto Review

Encanto is an animated movie made by Disney, and it is one of the best Disney movies that came out in 2021. The film is about a family called the Madrigal's. The family are like royalty in the Village because of the gifts they have. The main character Mirabel is essentially an outcast of the family, because she doesn't have a gift like the rest of her family. The family all have gifts which they are given when they turn five. How they get the gifts is powered by a magical candle. This candle helped save the refugees and helped build the town they live in called Encanto. The Madrigal family helps the town by using there gifts. For example Mirabel's mother can heal people. Mirabel also has two sisters, one of the sisters is called Isabela who can make flowers, which makes the town look beautiful. Her other sister, Luisa has extraordinary strength and she helps the towns people by moving buildings and protecting the town. The family gets these powers by turning a handle to a door powered by the magical candle and it grants them powers based on there personalities. Mirabel did not get any powers, so she feels helpless because she can't contribute to the family. Her Grandmother Alma especially is quite distant with her because she is worried that the power of the candle is diminishing, and it is Mirabel's fault. But Mirabel is the only one who can save the family.

The setting of Encanto is pretty breathtaking. Its colorful, vibrant and a stunning representation of Columbia. The structure of the movie is well paste and every song brings the story forward in a satisfying way. The music is catchy and well written and is perfect for all ages, whether your young or not so.

The characters have depth to them as well. For example on the surface Isabela may seem like she has the perfect life, but as we see later on in the movie she feels the pressure of being perfect all the time. And Luisa seems like she can protect the whole town and her family, but as we see midway through the movie she feels that the weight is too much to carry on her shoulders. Bruno is the character that really stands out in this movie. Bruno is Mirabel's uncle and Alma's son. He has visions and most of the time it comes true. He is an outcast of the family, because no one wants to hear the bad visions he has of them. Eventually he sees a vision of Mirabel which shows her either breaking the magic of the family or saving it. Because people would only hear the worst he smashes the vision and disappears not so far, as we see in the movie. Bruno is funny and brings the plot forward nicely.

Mirabel is the most relatable character in the movie. She is funny, likeable and maybe too much of a people pleaser. She is like this because she is the only one in the family who doesn't have a gift so she tries extra hard. I can' really say much about her without spoiling the important plots in the movie.

Antonio is one of the most loveable characters of the movie. This is because he is so innocent and he is the only one who is close to Mirabel despite there age difference. Antonio isn't the most important character but he adds to the wonder of the movie.

Alma, Mirabel's grandmother who is head of the family, is another interesting character. For most of the film she isn't very likeable and seems to not like Mirabel very much. Alma, especially the first half of the movie is not satisfied with anything, which makes her grandkids seek her approval. And also wants to protect the image of the family. For example Isabela is suppose to get married to the best looking guy from the village. But well into the film we find out she doesn't actually like the guy and is just marrying him because she thinks that's what her family wants and expects her to do. But towards the latter part of the film we find out, not only was Alma's town attacked and she had three baby's to escape with. But we also find out that she loses someone important to her by rogue soldiers. The soldiers were an interesting event to happen to the story. It is not the main plot of the story, but it is important on how the magical candle appeared and her sense of perfectionism. The soldiers attack on the village that they were escaping is actually Columbia's real life history of armed conflicts and political violence in the country in the 1960's.

The overall message of the story is something we can all relate to, which is nobody is perfect and that's okay. It's a pretty awesome message, especially in today's society.

Verdict - 9/10

Encanto is magical and glorious. The representation of Columbia is stunning. And if this review still doesn't convince you, then watch it for the songs if nothing else. If you love Disney movies like me you will not be disappointed.