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During the holiday season, many people gather together with their extended families—and all of the drama and dysfunction comes floating back up to the surface. So it seems like the perfect time for Disney to release its 60th animated film, Encanto—a story of a magical family whose dysfunction turns disastrous.
Encanto introduces viewers to The Amazing Madrigals—a magical family living together in a magical house that was built by a miraculous candle decades ago. Everyone in the family has a magical gift that helps both the family and their community—everyone except for Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz). During her younger cousin’s gift ceremony, Mirabel sees cracks appearing in the house, and she begins to fear that the family’s miracle is in danger. No one else sees the cracks, which quickly disappear, and no one—especially not her abuela (María Cecilia Botero)—wants to talk about it. So Mirabel decides that it’s up to her to figure out the problem and then fix it.
Mirabel’s mission takes her on a magical, musical, and sometimes even action-packed journey through the family’s mysterious home. It’s a beautiful and sometimes treacherous place—from her perfect sister’s rose-covered dwelling to the cavernous room-of-doom where her crazy uncle once lived. There’s a surprise around every corner and behind every door—and everything about it is brilliantly, strikingly animated. Each character, too—from the family’s gifted cousins to the house itself—was designed with color and energy and personality. And though not all of them are fully developed, they come together to paint a portrait of a lovably, amusingly eccentric family.
Despite all of the fascinating gifts that the family members possess, though—from super-strong Luisa (Jessica Darrow) to Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), who can talk with animals—it’s Mirabel’s lack of magic that makes her special. Though she feels less important than everyone else in the family, her strength and determination in spite of her differences set her apart. She’s so sweet, so selfless—and she’s the only one who’s willing to face the truth about her family. And, in the end, this non-magical family member is the one who finds the family’s real magic.
Mirabel’s adventure is loaded with magic and laughs and catchy songs that will make you want to get up and dance. And no matter whether you’re looking for a movie that’s charming or funny or adventurous or romantic, you’ll find it all here. It’s a movie on which the whole family can agree.
Encanto is showing in theaters starting on November 24, 2021.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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