Encanto (2021)

Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith

A Colombian teenage girl has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers.

‘Encanto’ is a magical, mystical story about a family who gained magical powers through a candle. The film never explains how the candle became magical, or whether Alma Madrigal – who held the candle – has magical ancestors. I found the story lacked in this way. In ‘Tangled’, which also deals with magic, they clearly explained how the flower became magical.

Fifty years later Alma, her children and grandchildren live in a magical realm called ‘Encanto’, and the magical candle guides over a thriving village. Each family member has different powers. The only member who never received powers, is the film’s heroin, Mirabel. She also never gains powers. Nothing is explained. Why did she not receive powers?

Since the runaway box office success of ‘Frozen’, so many animated films add musical segments. Such is the case with ‘Encanto’ as well. In many films, these musical segments add value to the film. With ‘Encanto’ I actually found the musical segments in the way. And I say “in the way”, because I didn’t find them annoying or distracting; I just found them, well, in the way of the story – and an attempt to rival the success of ‘Frozen’.

Fortunately none of the characters were annoying comic relief characters. I enjoyed each and every character in their own right. Mirabel carries the film. She is a goodhearted, kind soul, and maybe the only character the audience can really relate to.

The animation is simply stunning! I mean, WOW!! It is incredibly detailed and the characters are lifelike. Animation certainly has developed far better than CGI! ‘Encanto’ is a film young and old can enjoy, and also shows us the importance of family values. Although this is a very entertaining movie, I didn’t find it quite as special as animated features like ‘Coco’ or ‘Inside Out’.

‘Encanto’ earned $256 million at the box office, on a $120-150 million budget. It received 118 award nominations, winning 41 including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Would I watch it again? Maybe.