Not All Disney Movies are Full of Rainbows and Sunshine; Just Look at Encanto

Disney has brought yet another magical and music-filled movie to the big screen and cinemas. With familiar stars like John Leguizamo voicing the estranged uncle Bruno, to Stephanie Beatrix playing the voice of the main character Mirabel, audience members are introduced to a magical family living in the mountains of Columbia.

Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, Encanto follows the journey of Mirabel, known as the “girl with no gift,” who tries her best to fit into her family despite her Abuela openly voicing her disappointment towards her granddaughter. For Mirabel, it is difficult to stand out when her sister, Luisa, can lift almost anything with ease, and her sister, Isabela’s, ability to grow a variety of the most beautiful flowers without so much lifting a finger. When Mirabel notices that her family’s Casita is starting to crumble and show cracks, no one believes her and compares her with her estranged uncle, Bruno. Now, it’s up to Mirabel to find out what is causing the cracks in the Casita to save not only her home but her family as well.

Encanto’s conflict surrounds the relationship the members of the family have with one another and specifically, Mirabel. Many viewers around the globe have commented about how the familial conflict feels real, and how it is resolved with an emotional moment worthy of the Disney name.

This film has served as great entertainment with its animation style, diversity, and almost hypnotic music; becoming the first movie soundtrack to reach the number one spot on Billboard charts since 2019. The film’s original songs were composed by the conductor of the widely popular Broadway musical, Hamilton, Lin Manuel Miranda. Encanto has been the third film to have featured Miranda’s musical abilities in months.

“This movie is so different from all of the other Disney movies I’ve seen. It illustrates the conflict between family members and uncovers ways in which they all struggle to understand each other. Another thing I love about the film is the music! When I heard the Lin Manuel was the one who wrote the songs, I knew I had to watch it,” said Rachel H., a freshman at AISG.

Encanto does not shy away from recognizing the violent, troubling history of Columbia but does not make it the main focal point of the film. The opening sequence is Abuela Alma Madrigal remembering how the family had received their miracle moments before Mirabel’s gift ceremony. The movie never reveals the year it takes place, but a few clues placed throughout the film suggest that it was the mid-20th century, during the Thousand Days War that ravaged Columbia.

“I found it super emotional when the scene where the Abuela was crying because of the loss of her husband, because of the violent nature from which he died. Because, like, you never really expect to see such violence in Disney films, and I’m glad that there’s finally a Disney movie that isn’t unnaturally happy and perfect,” said Jessie K., a freshman at AISG.

Despite some critics pointing out the film’s shortcomings, Encanto is creative, beautiful, charming, and well-worth 1 hour and 49 minutes of your time.