In Encanto, the only big names are Stephenie Beatriz and John Leguizamo. They bring in people not well versed in a specific acting style merely to put a big name on the film rather than get a talented actor. The animation medium, specifically American animation, really falls under that issue. That would be the use of celebrities ill-fitted for animation rather than trained voice actors.
I do have to give this movie credit with one criticism that has been a constant in Disney films since the release of Aladdin in 1992. Thankfully, the animation can pick up what the music lacks with exciting visuals that are constantly in motion and never faltering in their beauty. Although the music certainly doesn’t detract from anything, it always felt like it never truly earned its place in the film. Rarely is the music used beyond exposition or a placeholder to make the story a little more interesting. It all goes by very quickly without anything lasting. Frankly, it’s this element where it’s most lacking. Lin Manuel Miranda, musical aficionado and Disney veteran, returns once more to write the music for the film. Not only that, but the movie exudes color to match this musical fantasy world. Or maybe when the house is crumbling, Delores flinches due to the fact that she has super-hearing, making her sensitive to loud noises. The way that when Mirabel turns, her hair sways a little extra to emphasize the speed. The artist’s level of detail is unbelievable. You can’t point a camera and let it unfold you need to build everything. What people forget about animation is that you make every single movie from scratch. This is really nothing new when looking at Disney Animation’s track record, but the animation is gorgeous. So with the magic mysteriously fading, it’s up to Mirabel to save the family. Yet Mirabel, the youngest daughter of the house Madrigal, doesn’t have a gift at all. Led by Abuela Madrigal, the family uses their powers to help out around their village. For example, Louisa is super-strong, Isabela can control flowers, and Antonio can talk to animals. Disney Animation Studios’ 60th feature, Encanto, is no exception.Įncanto follows la Familia Madrigal, a family blessed with assortments of special abilities living in a magical, sentient house. Despite the discussion of Disney and its ethical place as a media monopoly, it remains a mark of quality and artistic innovation.
This intro is merely a studio intro like any other, but it’s come to mean something different as well. Finally, the logo of “Disney” is revealed, and we fade into the film.
A fairy (my crack team of scholars and scientists believe this “fairy” is the entity known as “Tinker Bell”) arcs the sky above the castle and leaves a trail of fairy dust. The orchestra swells to the tune of When You Wish Upon a Star, and a castle is revealed under the light of some fireworks. The camera pans through the clouds over a night-time view of a river with a large old sailing ship and a train crossing a bridge. Starring: Stephenie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, and Mariá Cecelia Botero