#MovieReview: Encanto, the importance of family first

Disney’s latest feature film, Encanto, is a wonderfully sweet movie of family dynamics told in pitch perfect magical realism.

Set in the mountains of Colombia, Encanto revisits well-trodden territory but does so without ever appearing like recycled material.

Sure, any Disney film is going to have weaponised sentimentality, but it is not a hollow tearjerker, nor overly saccharine slog for any parents who watch with their children.

Spoiler alert

The film opens on Alma Madrigal (María Botero), who is forced out of her home during an armed conflict.

She loses her husband Pedro, but is able to save her three infant children with the help of a candle that is miraculously imbued with magical powers.

This candle further helps by creating a sentient house, the casita, where the Madrigal family later thrives.

As part of this magical realism – not dissimilar from A Hundred Years of Solitude, also set in Colombia – all members of the Madrigal bloodline receive special powers.

That is, except 15-year-old Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) who is mysteriously born with no powers to speak of.

Naturally, this leads to her being treated differently and feeling somewhat left out from the magical family dynamic of the casita.

She is a classic Disney heroine, a castaway who needs to find herself in time to solve the central conflict of the story.

The conflict comes when the casita begins to crack, throwing everyone’s powers into jeopardy.

Mirabel, of course, who has lived an entire life without powers, is on hand to take charge and lead the family back to prosperity.

Ultimately, despite the casita falling apart and everyone losing their powers, the Madrigals learn that family is more important.

The house is later rebuilt and everyone regains their abilities – it is still a Disney movie after all.

With a soaring soundtrack from Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, Encanto delivers strong life lessons and laughs throughout, enjoyable for both children and adults alike.

It should also be noted the major animation studios continue to give accurate representation to a multitude of cultures.

Ten years ago it might have been more noteworthy, but the fact that big budget and strong box office films can without question be set in places that are not the USA or Europe, is a good sign for the future.

Rated PG for some thematic elements and mild peril.

Scored: 4/5.

For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Join our Telegram Broadcast Service at: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0

Join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Simply add 082 792 9405 (North Coast Courier) as a contact to your phone, and WhatsApp your name and surname to the same number to be added.