Movie Review: Lin-Manuel Miranda songs, stunning animation lift charming 'Encanto'

Here’s a suspicion that “Encanto,” the latest from Walt Disney Animation Studios, will give that division of The House That Mickey Built its newest hit.  The film opens Tuesday in theaters only.

It’s an original story from many of the minds behind “Zootopia,” a film that I wasn’t overly fond of, that explores the subject of family viewed through the eyes of a young woman named Mirabel (voice by Stephanie Beatriz). It’s often entertaining and, for those who have to deal with the sometimes complex interactions that come from being part of a family, extremely relatable.

However, as compelling as that tale is for much of the film, much of the enjoyment from “Encanto” comes from other facets.

The magic of Lin-Manuel Miranda

The first: Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”) provides eight songs for the film.  They don’t all register, but when they do, the emotional impact is undeniable. “The Family Madrigal” is a cousin to “Belle,” the opening number from “Beauty and the Beast.” 

“Surface Pressure” deals with the expectations of being part of this particular family. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is a mysterious, fun piece, while “Dos Oruguitas,” sung by Sebastian Yatra, is alternately tragic and beautiful.

That plays into the movie’s sumptuously animated imagery. Keep in mind, this isn’t a film from corporate cousin Pixar.  “Encanto” comes from the division responsible for films such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Yet, their actual successes have been hit or miss since the early 2000s. However, in reinventing themselves by taking their cue from Pixar, they’ve created computer-generated successes such as “Big Hero 6” and “Frozen.” In “Encanto,” they’ve made a film with kaleidoscope-like, eye-popping colors that is a sumptuous feast for the eyes, at times appearing so engrossing that it blurs the lines between animation and live action.

‘Encanto’ shows a charmed family life

That beauty provides a sense of what it could be like to live in Colombia where the Madrigal family does. Theirs is a charmed history. In the village they founded each member acquires a power courtesy of a magic candle that helped their matriarch, Abuela Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero), escape with her three children from the gang that murdered her husband and set her former home on fire.

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In Abuela Alma’s eyes, with each of those powers comes a responsibility to give back to the people of the village where they live. Only one member of the family, Mirabel, has not acquired her gift, much to the disappointment of both of them.

However, receiving those powers doesn’t exactly prove to be the wonderful gift that everyone assumes. Each member of the Madrigal family carries that burden of responsibility and expectations.  They have to live their lives according to an implied code dictated by Abuela Alma.

Disney offers a different message

Nothing, however, lasts forever, and it soon becomes evident that the magic and candle that grants those powers is fading. Mirabel, hoping to do something to please Alma, sets about trying to learn why the magic is fading and what can be done to prevent it.

It’s in that quest that Mirabel comes to learn the reality of being part of a family.  Almost all members suffer under the weight of unrealistic expectations at some point.  Each has things, incidents and sometimes even other members of the group they simply do not speak of. In short: There is no such thing as a perfect family.

It’s an intriguing message coming from the purveyor of family entertainment, but it works in this particular case, giving the audience something a bit unexpected but completely entertaining.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Details

Movie: “Encanto”

Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, Maria Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama

Directed by: Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith

Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Rated: PG for some thematic elements and mild peril.

Grade: B