Review of Encanto (2021) by Kai82 — 22 Mar 2022

It is colorful, enjoyable, emotional and has a great story. Also I like the singing and whole soundtrack. By the way this comes from someone who mostly dislike the Disney songs but here they won me over instantly.

The story is about the Madrigal family who live in a secluded or hidden village in the mountains of Colombia build by former refugees. After a tragic event in the past their grandmother received a gift and every member of the family since then is blessed as young child with a magical ability.

Be it superhuman hearing, (minor) weather control, superhuman strength, visions, shape-shifting or the ability to grow plants / flowers instantly. They use this to the benefit of all people in their town.

Sadly Mirabel was the only one who did not get anything as it failed on her. Years later there is a strange occurrence that shows some hidden things and is a danger happens. I am vague here to avoid spoilers.

The story is amazing and won me over from start to finish. It has good twist and the conclusion including lesson is truly great. I enjoyed the characters and say the whole Madrigal family is awesome and believable.

I cant go more into details as it would be also too much spoilers but say everyone with a family or many relatives can understand this easily. Mirabel voiced by Stephanie Beatriz is a protagonist anyone can identify.

Her emotions, struggles and journey are textbook examples how to create a great immersive character. Then there is the rest of the family with Alma (Maria Cecillia Botero), Luisa (Jessica Darrow), Bruno (John Leguziamo) and all the others I should name but are to lazy to type in.

All characters work well and the voice actors are truly amazing. They sell the big family setting without any doubts. Like I said the songs are fantastic and won me a (mostly) Disney song hater over. I say it is one of the best soundtracks in an animated movie.

The animations are colorful and have such a beautiful style. There is nothing to criticize for me. I will praise the effort of the whole team involved. Overall this is an easy recommendation not only for Disney fans or lovers of animated movies.

I think it will become a timeless classic and praised by fans and critics alike.