Azhley Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Encanto, Disney’s current top animated film and Lin Manuel Miranda’s latest musical creation was released in theaters Nov. 24 this past year. But it wasn’t until the film became available to Disney+ members in December that it sparked a movement.
Family drama is common in any family, but for the Madrigals their drama is just as magical as their gifts.
In Disney’s first Latin musical, the Madrigal family live hidden in the mountains of Colombia. They call their home the Encanto, or enchantment. The family of 11 consists of the matriarch Abuela who gave birth to three children with her deceased husband, six grandchildren and two sons-in-law.
Abuela (María Cecilia Botero) and her husband were forced to flee their village when their home was invaded by conquistadors. In order to flee, Abuela and her husband had to swim across a river, which Abuela did, but unfortunately her husband didn’t. She was left to raise the children alone and with the help of the miracle, the Encanto was created. A magical house with a village of people surrounding it.
The family was given a miracle in the form of a candle, that blessed each child with a gift that would help support the growing village.
Not magic like wands and spells, magic like Luisa’s (Jessica Darrow) super strength, Camilo (Rhenzy Feliz) who shapeshifts, Isabela (Diane Guerrero) who can grow plants, Dolores (Adassa) who has superhuman hearing and Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) who can speak to animals.
Every child got a gift, except for Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz).
Mirabel is determined to prove her worth to her family. She quickly realizes that the magic surrounding the Encanto, is in danger and wants to help save it.
The animated musical follows her on her journey to save the family’s miracle, prove her worth and bring her family back together. Along the way, she discovers some of her family secrets.
The film quickly tugged at the hearts of many while some realized the family trauma portrayed is what most Hispanic families endure.
Miranda’s musical creativity adds catchy tunes that are sure to get stuck in your head. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” has broken records after it was ranked No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it Disney’s second ever chart topper from an animated movie following “Let it Go” from Frozen which only reached No. 5 in 2014.
Other chart topers from the movie include “Surface Pressure” No. 9, “The Family Madrigal” at No. 20, “What Else Can I Do?” at No. 27, No. 36 for “Dos Oruguitas,” No. 48 for “Waiting on a Miracle” and “All of You” at No. 82.
The outfits the characters wear is inspired by authentic Colombian culture. Filmmakers Byron Howard and Jared Bush wanted the film to be as authentic as possible. In 2018 they took a trip along with Miranda to Colombia to get inspiration for the film. In an interview with Screen Daily, Bush says, “every single detail in the movie is based on something that we saw, or someone that we met who then helped us understand things better.”
The film is a masterpiece of family trials and triumphs followed by catchy tunes and relatable characters.
Azhley’s Angle: 10/10
arodriguez2@my.dom.edu
