Welcome to La Casa Madriga! Is Disney’s 60th Animated Feature worth a watch?

Disney’s Encanto tells the story of a family who has been hiding in the heart of Colombia in a magical casita in a town called Encanto. La familia Madrigal has been blessed with magical powers. Each family member has a special gift that serves the community.

Not everyone has been lucky though, Maribel, a charming and smart girl never received a magical gift at a young age. Maribel must find save the day when she finds out that she needs to prevent a candle from burning eternally, which if it does, ends all the magic for la familia Madrigal.

Encanto is directed By Byron Howard, Jared Bush, Charise Castro Smith. Encanto is a celebration of family. The film with beautiful music by Lin Manuel Miranda embodies the dynamics of a hispanic family and shows how another perspective can cause conflict and division. For example, we learn about Isabella’s and Maribel’s relationship. Isabella is the golden child while Maribel is the scapegoat child.

Howard, Bush, Smith do a well job showing real family life situations that audiences will be able to relate to. Also, the film expands on the topics of jealousy, desire, forgiveness and loneliness. We learn how each member of a family plays an important role to create harmony within each other. We learn that families are not perfect and what matters is unity and love.

The story is easy to follow. The film begins with a big show stopper called “Welcome to the Family Madrigal” that will set the tone for the film and will teach viewers the powers of each Maribel’s family member. See a clip below.

After that, you are in for a celebration of catchy tunes written by Lin Manuel Miranda. Miranda continues to break barriers with his clever and unique lyrics that immersive you with the storytelling. Miranda brings Colombian music and hip-hop together. If you liked Moana, you will love Encanto. This is Miranda love letter to Colombia.

Encanto soars with its beautiful and colorful animation. Encanto stops the pattern of typical Disney films and offers a story about a heroine and not a princess. If this movie would of came out 20 years ago, then perhaps Isabella would of been the main character. Disney is taking risks with this one. I also appreciate that for the first time I see people who look like me. Disney animation has done well by researching authenticity.

Disney Encanto is an instant classic, opens the door to more original stories, and is a wonderful time.

Disney Encanto is in theaters November 24.