Make Way for Disney’s Encanto!

“Open your eyes. Abre los ojos.” -Abuela Alma, Encanto

Image Credit: Image Citation: “Encanto.” Www.disney.com.au, www.disney.com.au/movies/encanto.

Disney’s newest movie “Encanto” follows teenage girl Mirabel Madrigal and her Colombian family, who have magical powers called Gifts, though Mirabel has no gift of her own. She goes through the struggle of constantly being outshined by her family, but when she finds out the miracle given to her family 50 years ago is dying, Mirabel embarks on a quest to save the magic. Along the way, classic songs and heartwarming events are included that make this movie funny, sentimental, and charming at the same time.

Encanto’s storyline speaks to me, seeing that the main character, Mirabel, can’t seem to fit in with her family, so she does everything possible to make her family proud. Because she doesn’t have a Gift, she’s treated differently than the rest of her family, even being deemed “not good enough” by her grandmother. Mirabel’s commitment to her family is inspiring because she wants to do anything to help her family and community. All of Mirabel’s struggles are expressed in her song, “Waiting on a Miracle”

This brings me to the music included in the film. Having composed and starred in Hamilton and written pieces in Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it again with catchy songs that stay stuck in your head all day. One especially popular song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” explains why the Madrigals ‘don’t talk about Bruno’ because of the prophecies he has foretold. “Dos Oruguitas” by Sebastián Yatra is an emotional song that plays during Abuela Alma’s origin story of how she obtained the miracle candle that provides the Madrigals their home and powers, along with how she lost her husband, Pedro. This song perfectly reflects how Alma was left alone to raise her triplets (Pepa, Julieta, and Bruno) and why she was so protective of the miracle.

Mirabel’s song “Waiting on a Miracle” captures her struggles of being the only Madrigal without a Gift. Image Credit: News, A. B. C. “Review: Disney’s Animated ‘Encanto’ Effortlessly Enchants.” ABC News, abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/review-disneys-animated-encanto-effortlessly-enchants-81333088.

Finally, the culture that is included in the film is extraordinary. From the relatable and hilarious sound effects from Félix to the history referenced in Abuela Alma’s origin, Disney has successfully implemented the culture that this film needed to be an authentic Latin movie.

Overall, Encanto is a great film with fantastic animation, catchy tunes, and an incredibly heartfelt message throughout, as well as doing a great job in expressing Colombian culture with small details that make all the difference.