Disney hits it off again with another great animated movie. “Encanto” was released in theaters on Nov. 24, and it hit Disney Plus on Dec. 24, 2021. The movie is Disney’s second non-English-titled movie. In Spanish, “encanto” means “enchanted” and “love.” “Encanto” is set in Colombia and is the first Disney movie to focus solely on one specific Latin American culture. This review contains spoilers.

“Encanto” focuses on the Madrigal family. Each member of the family has a special power except the main character, Maribel. The family received a miracle when Abuela (Grandma) was younger. She lost her husband to an attack, and after, the miracle of an eternal flame presented itself. The miracle also provided a magical shelter called Casita (home) that has moving tiles and helps out members of the family. Furthermore, the miracle gave each member of the family the gift of a special power. Abuela had three children: Bruno, Julieta and Pepa. Pepa had three children: Dolores, Camilo and Antonio. Julieta also had three children: Luisa, Isabela and Maribel. 

The story follows the main character, Maribel. It starts with her telling others all about her family’s gifts. She then comforts Antonio about his gift ceremony, for he feared he wouldn’t get a gift just like Maribel. As Antonio receives his gift, Maribel has flashbacks concerning her unfruitful gift ceremony. She tries to stay positive and ignore feeling insignificant with her marvelous family thriving all around her. She then notices Casita cracking and the flame flickering. The family downplays her concerns, but Luisa reveals she feels weaker. Maribel ventures into Bruno’s abandoned magic room to find answers. She discovers that the miracle is in jeopardy and that she is possibly the cause. Everyone finds out and tension rises. Next, Maribel discovers Bruno, himself, in hidden passages of Casita. She realizes that Bruno never actually left when he disappeared all those years ago. Bruno tells the same prophecy again to see if there is any change about Maribel and Casita’s fate; they find out a slightly different outcome after Casita is supposed to crack. Abuela starts blaming Maribel for everything going wrong, such as the cracks and Luisa’s powers fading. Maribel finally stands up for herself and the treatment she receives for not having powers. Then, cracks start forming; Casita breaks down and the flame goes out; resulting in everyone losing their powers and Maribel running away. Abuela meets Maribel at the river where she ran away, and the two work out their issues, realizing the importance of family. The Madrigals re-build the house without the help of the miracle and magic. When Maribel opens the door for the first time, the magic returns and everyone celebrates as a united family. 

The message of the story is very important; it shows the importance of family. The magic only returned when everyone was united. It also shows how it is okay to be different. Maribel doesn’t have powers like her family, but she is just as important as everyone else. It also shows the pressures of needing to be perfect. Both Luisa and Isabela felt burdened by the family’s expectations to be perfect, but they overcame it. Isabela found out she could change and grow, and that she had the ability to make different kinds of flowers.

Finally, the movie’s soundtrack was really well written. Lin-Manuel Miranda served as chief songwriter and Germaine Franco was composer. She is the first female composer to score a Disney animated film. The song “Surface Pressure” is a fan favorite. It has a very catchy tune, is sung beautifully and shows vulnerability to Luisa’s character. 

If a chance to watch this movie hasn’t presented itself yet, go ahead and watch it now. Enjoy a feel-good Disney movie with great music and fun characters.