movie review for encanto

Finding something the whole family can watch during the holidays is a perennial challenge. It’s as much a part of tradition as turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas carols on the radio soon after. This holiday season, Disney is serving up a warm, feel-good family friendly movie called “Encanto,” a Colombian magical realist tale of a family that received special powers after surviving a tragedy. Now, a few generations later, they live together in a magical house and each member develops their own talent, like the ability to control the weather, shapeshift into other people, and talk to animals. Their casita (house) responds to the family’s requests and responds to their moods. Each bedroom is magically tailored to the relative and their magical gift. All except for one, Mirabel ( Stephanie Beatriz ). 

“Encanto” follows the “girl with no apparent gift” Mirabel, who tries her best to fit in a family so extraordinary that her judgmental Abuela Alma ( María Cecilia Botero ) offers only her disappointment at every turn. For Mirabel, it’s tough to stand out when her mom, Julieta ( Angie Cepeda ), can heal wounds with her cooking—more specifically, her arepas con queso, her sister Luisa ( Jessica Darrow ) can lift the heaviest of objects with ease, and her sister Isabela ( Diane Guerrero ) can grow the most beautiful flowers without barely thinking about it. Mirabel notices the family’s casita is starting to show cracks, but no one believes her and downplays her worries as something her estranged eccentric uncle Bruno ( John Leguizamo ) would say. It’s up to Mirabel to find out what’s happening to save both her family and her home. 

Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard (“ Zootopia ”) and co-director Charise Castro Smith (” Raya and the Last Dragon ”), who bears more than a passing resemblance to the movie’s main character, have created another kind hearted movie about misfits trying to do the right thing. Most notably, there’s no villain in this Disney movie, just a nebulous “unknown” threatening the family and their home. The conflict is minimal at best, which allows for Mirabel to spend more time learning about what she can do despite her lack of powers, but it also leaves the movie feeling a bit meandering. To make up for lost action, the movie shines in its animation and design, really making use of the house with doors to new worlds and musical sequences that allow for a little more abstract artistic freedom. 

Speaking of those musical sequences, I think it’s time Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a break. After knocking it out of the park with “In the Heights,” “ Hamilton ” and “ Moana ,” his 2021 offerings have been a little lackluster. For this review, I finally watched the movie “ Vivo ,” in which he voices the title character as well as handles the song writing duties. Those numbers sounded flimsy and forgettable. In one song, he rhymes “drum” with… “drum.” In “Encanto,” the odds are a little better, more songs fare better than others, but there’s still a sense that these musical numbers are the reheated leftovers from other projects. They sound like his work, but don’t offer anything new or exciting to get stuck in our heads. Isabela and Luisa’s disposable pop songs “What Else Can I Do?” and “Surface Pressure” are cloyingly repetitive. “The Family Madrigal” is a less effective version of the opening song from “In the Heights.” Only Carlos Vives’ rendition of Miranda’s song “Colombia, Mi Encanto” sounds like a memorable stand-out.

Unimpressive songs are an unfortunate thing to befall an animated musical like “Encanto.” Thankfully, there are other elements to enjoy like the movie’s boisterous voice cast that includes Carolina Gaitán , Rhenzy Feliz , Ravi Cabot-Conyers , Wilmer Valderrama , Mauro Castillo , and one-name Latin music stars Maluma and Adassa. It’s also impressive to see an animated Disney movie finally include varying skin tones and hair textures in the same family, while also incorporating Colombian fashion like ponchos, flowing embroidered skirts, colorful dresses and guayaberas as part of a character’s details. Beatriz is magnificent as Mirabel, embodying both pain and love in her voice throughout the film, yet never losing a sense of the goofy playfulness that makes her character so likeable. Abuela’s singing voice comes from the one and only Olga Merediz , another “In the Heights” alum.

Similar to how Pixar’s “ Coco ” paid tribute to Mexican culture, “Encanto” holds many nods to its Colombian roots, from the use of flowers and animals specific to the regions to crafting songs that incorporated their respective countries’ musical palette. In both stories, the matriarchal abuelas have to also go through an emotional journey just as much (if not more) than the younger protagonists in the movie. It’s an interesting development to see both Pixar and Disney Animation move into the world tour phase of their storytelling, but I hope they avoid repeating each other in thematic and narrative elements. 

One difference is that “Encanto” explores the Madrigals’ backstory beyond their household, showing the Madrigal grandparents fleeing their homeland for safety and Abuelo’s ultimate sacrifice in an artistic flashback. The story of a homeland lost and the family who rebuilt in a new land is not an uncommon one for many immigrant families, and by sensitively including it as part of a charming Disney movie, perhaps will give a new generation a better sense of belonging or at least the comfort that others have shared their experience. It may help kids who didn’t grow up with those stories of a “paradise lost” to understand those that did. Maybe that’s an optimistic view for a movie many will flock to in a post-turkey coma, but despite a few missteps, “Encanto” is one of the more charming animated movies to hit theaters this year. 

Exclusively in theaters today. 

Monica Castillo

Monica Castillo is a critic, journalist, programmer, and curator based in New York City. She is the Senior Film Programmer at the Jacob Burns Film Center and a contributor to  RogerEbert.com .

• Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel Madrigal (voice)
• John Leguizamo as Bruno Madrigal (voice)
• María Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma Madrigal (voice)
• Wilmer Valderrama as Agustín Madrigal (voice)
• Diane Guerrero as Isabela Madrigal (voice)
• Jessica Darrow as Luisa Madrigal (voice)
• Angie Cepeda as Julieta Madrigal (voice)
• Adassa as Dolores Madrigal (voice)
• Mauro Castillo as Félix Madrigal (voice)
• Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo Madrigal (voice)
• Carolina Gaitán as Pepa Madrigal (voice)
• Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Antonio Madrigal (voice)
• Maluma as Mariano (voice)
• Alan Tudyk as Pico (voice)

Cinematographer

• Alessandro Jacomini
• Daniel Rice
• Nathan Detroit Warner
• Byron Howard

Writer (story by)

• Charise Castro Smith
• Lin-Manuel Miranda

Co-director

Composer (original score composed by).

• Germaine Franco
• Jeremy Milton

Composer (original songs by)

Leave a comment, now playing.

Soundtrack to a Coup d’État

No Other Land

Emilia Pérez

Youth (Hard Times)

The Graduates

Cellar Door

After: Poetry Destroys Silence

Chasing Chasing Amy

Freedom (2024)

Latest articles.

Centenarian Icons Celebrated During Wellness Warrior Weekend 

The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City

London Film Festival 2024 Highlights

The Private is Public: On the 10th Anniversary of “Nightcrawler”

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.

Advertisement

Supported by

Critic’s Pick

‘Encanto’ Review: In This House, We Make Magic

Disney’s new film, about a gifted family in Colombia, has stunning animation, a beautifully composed story and spellbinding songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

• Share full article

By Maya Phillips

For better or worse, Disney has always been in the business of making magic. We all know the worst: the unimpressive secondhand sorcery of formulaic plots, flavorless songs and lifeless animation. But the best — well, that’s the kind of magic that gets passed on for generations.

So it’s not unlike the magic of Casita, the living house of the Madrigal family in Disney’s brilliant new animated film “Encanto.” Forget Alexa — Casita’s a smart home like no other. She speaks in a language of clapped tiles and flapping window shutters, and helps keep things in order.

And she has her traditions: When each young Madrigal comes of age, she grants them a gift and a door to a new bedroom, an impossibly large and elaborately designed chamber themed around a special ability. It all started years ago, when the Madrigal matriarch, Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero), and her family fled the violence of their village. After a tragic loss, however, a miracle appeared in the form of a candle that granted the kids their powers. There’s a shape-shifter, a prophet, a healer and more — and then there’s Mirabel (a perfectly cast Stephanie Beatriz), the muggle of the clan.

When Mirabel finds herself in the middle of a mystery about the future of her family’s magic, she goes on a mission to figure out how she can stop the worst from happening. It’s a surprisingly small-scale story: Instead of on a journey, the action unfolds in and around the Madrigal home. But that’s because “Encanto” is most interested in the love and struggles of family, without silly side characters or romantic leads.

The computer animation, some of the best from any major studio in the last several years, presents a dazzling confabulation of hues and a meticulous weaving of precious details — like the embroidery on skirts, the golden-brown crust of a cheese arepa and the selection of native Colombian flora.

In “Encanto” there’s a robust engagement with, and respect for, Latino culture in all of its dimensions. The Madrigal family members’ skin tones range from lighter to darker, their hair textures from straight to kinky-curly. And the grand pooh-bah of the contemporary musical movie score, Lin-Manuel Miranda , provides a spellbinding soundtrack of songs combining salsa, bachata and hip-hop played with traditional folk instruments from Colombia.

The directors, Jared Bush and Byron Howard, last collaborated on another of Disney’s brightest gems of the last decade, the racially aware “ Zootopia ,” and they subtly incorporate an important political message into this film as well. This is a story about displaced people who build a home from nothing. Their history is the source of their magic, and they use that magic to selflessly improve their community, without needing to assimilate into it. Given our nation’s track record on these subjects, to see such a tale in a children’s movie is quietly extraordinary.

But “Encanto” also resists having its magical characters fall into the trope of the model immigrants — that they have only earned their place because of their special abilities. The Madrigal family members belong even when they’re not conjuring roses or transforming the weather. And even with these fantastic feats of wizardry, the Madrigals, with all of their relatable family dynamics, are believably loving, funny and flawed.

If home is where the heart is, my heart’s with Casita.

Encanto Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes. In theaters.

Maya Phillips is a critic at large. She is the author of the poetry collection “Erou” and “NERD: Adventures in Fandom From This Universe to the Multiverse,” forthcoming from Atria Books. More about Maya Phillips

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

Jump Scares That Still Make Us Jump : With Times film writers, filmmakers and stars weighing in, we ranked the 25 most chilling, spine-tingling, utterly terrifying scenes  that get us every time.

Is ‘Conclave’ Accurate? : Edward Berger’s new film isn’t the first to involve a papal election, but perhaps no other has focused so much on the liturgical details .

Seth Meyers Isn’t as Nice as You Think : The “Late Night” host has crafted a comedically precise but genial persona. A new stand-up special finds him reveling in his more acerbic side .

Streaming Guides:  If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Watching Newsletter:  Sign up to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows  to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

Review: Disney’s animated musical ‘Encanto’ delivers an empathetic brand of charm

• Copy Link URL Copied!

The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic . Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials .

They’re gifted and they’re kooky, even a little spooky. It’s not the Addams Family but the Magical Madrigals. “Encanto,” the latest Disney Animation film, sweeps audiences away to a colorful, enchanted world of Colombian magical realism, introducing the Madrigal family, who have all been granted extraordinary gifts except one member, our heroine, Mirabel ( Stefanie Beatriz ), who has yet to discover her own magic.

Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who co-wrote and co-directed the Oscar-winning “Zootopia,” have teamed with Charise Castro Smith for writing and directing duties on “Encanto,” while Jason Hand, Nancy Kruse and Lin-Manuel Miranda contributed to the story. The result is an animated musical that’s typically rousing and compassionate, rooted in the kind of therapy-inspired personal lessons about self-worth that often underpin these movies, soundtracked by Latin pop tunes written by Miranda.

The Madrigal family magic was borne of extreme trauma and pain when matriarch Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero) lost her husband while fleeing violence in their village. In desperation, she cried out for protection for herself and her infant triplets, and a magical candle raised mountains around a charmed casita, where she has raised her family since. Each Madrigal receives their gift in a coming-of-age ceremony, with powers rangingfrom super strength, high-powered hearing or talking to animals to spinning flowers out of thin air, shape-shifting, future divining, weather controlling or food healing.

The only exception to the magical rule so far is the sweet, smart Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), who never received her gift and has since felt like the family outcast, bending over backward to earn her place. As she starts to see cracks in the foundation of their beloved casita, Mirabel probes deeper into the family’s magic. She ultimately realizes that all of her family members are caught in the trap of perfectionism, believing that they have to use their gifts in the ways others want them to without remaining authentic to themselves and their desires.

The animation is a vibrantly hued and energetic swirl of almost nonstop motion, and Miranda’s songs skip from genre to genre, from traditional Disney ballads to reggaeton-inspired tunes and even a tribute to Colombia’s own rock goddess, Shakira. The script is fast and furious, packed with jokes and references. There are times where you wish everything would slow down for a moment to allow time to get to know some of the supporting characters better, but the story of “Encanto” is refreshingly, and satisfyingly, swift and contained.

Mirabel’s magic shines through in who she has been all along: a good listener, empathetic and caring. She allows her family members to share their stories and vulnerabilities and creates a safe space for their authenticity. With her diminutive stature, round glasses and curly hair, she’s like a mini super-therapist for her family; indeed, sometimes finding that person who allows you to be yourself, whatever that may be, does feel like the greatest gift of all. It’s a simple but resonant tale, but “Encanto” is a charmed and charming film that just might offer a bit of healing too.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

Rated: PG, for some thematic elements and mild peril Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes Playing: Starts Nov. 24 in general release

More to Read

Latino Theater Company celebrates ‘Encuentro’ festival’s 10th anniversary

Oct. 23, 2024

‘La Máquina’ delivers an emotional punch, reuniting Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna

Oct. 8, 2024

Review: Sara Porkalob sings her truth in dangerous ‘Dragon Lady’ at Geffen Playhouse

Sept. 14, 2024

Only good movies

Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Review: In ‘Emilia Pérez,’ a musical heightened by danger, passion pours out like a confession

Nov. 1, 2024

Review: In sharp documentary ‘Dahomey,’ African art returns home, but colonialism still stings

Review: Bickering cousins run into ‘A Real Pain’ exploring Jewish heritage, grief and resentments

Heidi Klum is always extra on Halloween. This year she was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Most read in movies.

What’s fact vs. fiction in Netflix’s ‘Dating Game’ killer film ‘Woman of the Hour’

Oct. 21, 2024

Stutter that ‘propelled’ Bruce Willis into acting also masked his dementia, his wife says

Oct. 29, 2024

Review: ‘Here’ takes the elements of a ‘Gump’ reunion and flattens them into faux-cosmic tedium

Oct. 31, 2024

Review: Exquisite ‘The Wild Robot’ uses machines and animals to tell a human story

Sept. 26, 2024