The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift -- every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.
Director: Byron Howard, Jared Bush
Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitán, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama
Release Date:
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild peril.
Runtime: 1h 42m
Review:
Encanto walks that fine balances between being a colorful animated musical that'll keep children entertained while also being thematically dense and engaging enough for adults to enjoy. Byron Howard and Jared Bush's film displays vibrancy right from the start as the lush animation and catchy songs take hold. The overall animation design looks simplistic at first but as the film goes on you can't help but appreciate the level of detail and artistry on display. When the animation is paired with musical numbers from Lin-Manuel Miranda the film envelopes you with its effervescent energy that's hard to ignore. That alone would probably make for a passable family film but Encanto's story makes it memorable and touching. Themes of family, legacy and self-affirmation stream throughout the film as we follow Mirabel, voiced by a wonderfully earnest Stephanie Beatriz, on her journey. The script touches on some deep and thoughtful ideas with impressive care and subtly. The cast all feel perfectly suited for their roles with Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo and María Cecilia Botero, who plays the Madrigal's matriarch, leaving the biggest impression. Encanto is a multilayered family film that can be enjoyed from multiple levels.
A
