The animated musical Encanto is really magical with its songs and story. It is not just enjoyable for children but also for older people.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the story of a 15-year-old girl called Mirabel Madrigal (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) and her family, who live in a large charming house in Colombia.
The Madrigals are unique as each member receives a special magical power when s/he is five years old according to his personality, except Mirabel.
The movie starts with a vibrant song, ‘The Family Madrigal’, in which Mirabel introduces her family and their special magical powers. Her sister Luisa (Jessica Darrow) has super strength, and her other sister, Isabella (Diane Guerrero) can make flowers bloom and create gardens.
Mirabel’s mother Julieta (Angie Cepeda) can cure people with her cooking and Aunt Peppa (Carolina Gaitan) can control the weather.
Peppa’s middle child Camilo (Rhenzy Feliz) has the power to change his shape. Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) can talk to the animals. Dolores (Adassa) has super-hearing.
Uncle Bruno (John Leguizmo) can see into the future.
However, Mirabel feels left out, but she notices that the family house is in danger of collapsing and that the sacred candle that they derive their powers from is fading.
She tries to warn the family but they don’t believe her, assuming that she is only jealous because she is the only one without a gift.
So, she looks for Uncle Bruno, who disappeared long ago after his prophecies annoyed the family.
Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, the movie weaves music, songs with brilliant voices, characters and animated visualisation to create clever entertainment with energetic vibes.
The rhythm of the events as well was good, not fast or too long.
There is no surprise that the movie is in the best animated feature film nominations for the Oscar this year.
Unlike Elsa, who has a magical ability to create and manipulate ice and snow in Frozen (2013), Mirabel is an ordinary girl with nothing magical but her unique character, which is very human, as if it is a message to children to not wait for a special power but to focus on themselves and their characters.
Mirabel loves her family very much, although some members don’t even think about her. She teams up with Bruno to rescue the house and the family. It’s her heart and the love she has, which are her real magical power.
