Disney Studios shows that they can continue to make
entertaining animated films with their newest release ENCANTO. The film has one
of that uplifting feeling they are known for coupled with those moments when
you feel all is lost. The bright colors, the lovely story with a moral and the
enjoyable music make this a movie that the whole family can enjoy. So what is
it about?
ENCANTO tells the story of a group of beleaguered peasants chased out of their home in Colombia with Alma Madrigal and her husband Pedro, along with their three infant children, in charge. When those chasing them are about to reach them, Pedro faces off against them as the rest carry on forward. He is lost but the rest make it to a town. Before entering and praying for help a magic candle is found giving the town protection and providing the family with something special.
Each of the children as they grow is taken to their special door. When they touch the handle it provides them with specific powers that they use to help the townspeople. With each generation the children approach and are given those powers. Until Mirabel. For some reason when she touched the doorknob the door simply faded away.
Now it is Antonio’s turn, Mirabel’s cousin. He is granted his gift and the town rejoices. But Mirabel is once more left to feel inadequate and not part of her own family. It doesn’t help that some members of her family treat her as less than. But the night Antonio gets his powers as Mirabel walks away on her own through the house, she sees a problem. The walls begin to crack and the magic begins to fade. When she tells her grandmother she is silenced and Alma tells everyone that the magic is alive and all is well.
But Alma knows the truth. Sneaking out and crawling up to the window where the candle resides Mirabel hears her grandmother seeking help from whoever provided the candle. She knows the magic is fading and hoping for a sign of how to save it. The magical house they live in, Casita, is showing signs that this is so.
This sets Mirabel on a quest to find a way to save the magic and the family. To her the family is everything, even if they don’t treat her as part of it. She begins by asking each of her sisters what could be wrong. When she reaches her sister Luisa she discovers that her power, strength, if weakening. Luisa tells her if she wants to find answers she should go to Bruno’s tower.
Bruno was given the gift of prophecy. But his prophecies always seemed to bring doom and gloom. He lied with this until one day he had a prophecy that bothered him so much he left never to be seen again. Mirabel makes her way through his tower until she finds a room with glowing shards of glass laying beneath sand on the floor. She begins putting them together only to see an image of herself in front of Casita and the walls crumbling. The tower begins to crumble and she leaves, returning to her room.
As she puts the shards together she sees the image more clearly. Could she be the reason the magic is disappearing? Could this mean that something will happen that causes her to bring about the downfall of the town? Or is there more to find out? Is there a way of her saving the day even though she has no powers like the rest of her family?
The story being told here is a solid one. Beginning, middle and end are all there and the path through this tale is one that is well plot out. My only fear would be that younger children might not be old enough to understand all that’s going on here. If watched with parents ready to answer any questions they might have it would be enjoyable for all.
The colors in this film virtually pop off the screen and dazzle the eyes. Even small tykes who might not understand what is going on will be mesmerized. The songs, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, prove that his talent is there and will have you smiling and wanting to sing along. Once you learn the lyrics. All in all this movie was pure entertainment with a nice moral at the end. This is a movie that I would highly recommend for the whole family to enjoy.
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