By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Disney’s “Encanto” from directors Jared Bush (“Moana”), Charise Castro Smith (TV’s “Devious Maids”) and Byron Howard (“Zootopia”) is a sprawling, enchanting, colorful and magical adventure filled with so many lively characters, it’s often hard to keep track of them all.
The story centers around the Madrigal family. They live in a palatial house in Encanto, a quaint town in the mountains of Colombia. They are a proud and loving family with many traditions. One of their traditions involves a special ceremony. When a child turns five years old they discover what special power that has been given to them. Whenever one of the doors in the house opens and the child enters through it, they have been blessed with this unique power.
So, it’s quite a surprise and throws the family for a loop when little Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz, TV’s “Bob’s Burgers”) is set for the big moment and nothing happens. No special powers are bestowed to her.
Everyone in the family sees Mirabel as an outcast and is concerned that she will destroy the family’s name and good fortune. Afterall, there are many things you can do with these powers, but they are primarily used to help others.
If you’re in need of some heavy lifting, look no further than the incredibly strong Luisa (Jessica Darrow, TV’s “Following Hannah Stone”). Her flower child sister Isabella (Diane Gurerrero, TV’s “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) is so lovely that she can make flowers bloom in her path.
The rest of the clan includes: shape-shifting Uncle Augustin, (Wilmer Valderrama, TV’s “NCIS”), clairvoyant Uncle Bruno (John Leguizamo, “Critical Thinking” and TV’s “The Mandalorian), and Abuela Alma (Maria Cecillia, TV’s “Elena”) who keeps the family together. It becomes a tough task as something has taken hold and caused the magical house to lose its magic. Now, Mirabel must find out why and save her family and everything that the house means to them.
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight songs for the lively “Encanto” soundtrack. A few of my favorites include: “Waiting on a Miracle” (performed by Stephanie Beatriz), “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (sung by Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast), and What Else Can I Do?” – (from Diane Guerrero and Stephanie Beatriz).
While “Encanto” lacks the spark of Pixar/Disney’s “Coco,” there’s still enough frenetic fun to keep kids glued to the screen in awe.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"ENCANTO"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
