As the Disney animated canon expands, there’s a need to diversify the leads and stories. With Hollywood in general, there’s plenty of room to focus on other Latin American cultures. For the sixtieth film in Disney’s animated canon, a dive into a close-knit Colombian family is a step in the right direction. Expanding upon something established, the theme of the uniqueness of everyone is interpreted on a literal level. Continuing the combination of old and new is the return of Lin-Manuel Miranda to produce new songs for this film.
The diversity of this film also extends to the various members of the Madrigal family. Outside of the diversity in talents, the Madrigals show diversity in character designs and personalities. In a progressive move, there are Afro-Latino characters along with other darker-skinned Latinx characters. Mirabel, the protagonist of the film, is a compelling and relatable character. Despite not having a gift, Mirabel is self-reliant and has plenty of love for her family. Her sisters, Isabela and Luisa, are convincing archetypes of their powers that learn to express themselves beyond their gifts. Bruno is the infamous family member that manages to become a notable comic relief. Mirabel’s abuela is a comforting familial leader who sees the value in using her family’s gifts for the greater good. The rest of the Madrigal family is also memorable in their own ways, with each member having the proper amount of screen time.
As time progresses, there’s a need to remind ourselves about not succumbing to the high expectations of others. And there’s also a need to not be tied down to one aspect of our lives. Having a down-to-earth character like Mirabel helps in getting these messages across. While there are some comedic elements, the film goes for a sincere approach that works to the film’s advantage. The direct connection between the powers and values of their users helps to create a deeper connection and emotional value. The approach to familial love may be familiar, but the journey to get there is creative, thanks to the various gifts of the Madrigals. Simplicity is the core of the emotional scenes, which is highlighted with intimate moments of dialogue. The bonds of the characters can carry the scenes in ways different from other animated Disney films. Despite the main plot not taking many risks, various plot points try to shake things up. Unlike other recent Disney films, the complexity is relatively simplified but holds plenty of relevancy.
Despite the setting being secluded, there’s plenty of life and vibrant colors from the visuals. Similar to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the characters are confined to one area that is large in scope. The Madrigal “casita” holds many surprises in the various rooms and becomes a character itself. All the buildings and surrounding greenery have plenty of diversity in color choices and brightness. The variety in gifts also leads to plenty of visual splendor, with the animators taking advantage of the creative potential. For the character designs, the women are stylized relatively perfectly, while the men contain exaggerated features. Various elements such as clothing and food work well in displaying Colombian culture respectfully. In terms of musical numbers, Lin-Manuel Miranda managed to create more memorable Disney tunes. However, they’re not on par with his songs from Moana. Asides from the out-of-place “Surface Pressure,” the rest of the soundtrack feels in line with other Disney songs. While Stephanie Beatriz’s singing may not be flawless, the flaws in the singing compliment her portrayal of Mirabel.
Overall, Encanto brings to life Colombian culture in a familiar but refreshing way. The characters are all on equal footing, with each character developing a personality outside of their gifts. The familial tone matches well with the enclosed location while creating some literal magic within those confines. There’s plenty of emotional moments with a lesson that exemplifies Disney’s dedication to complexity. Despite not being among the best Disney musicals, the songs are great and serve their purpose. This film manages to expertly balance elements of small and large scale, along with an emotional core that stands out.
DISNEY ANIMATED CLASSICS RANKING: 14 of 60*
*Ranking as of the time of writing this review
SCORE: 9/10
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