Fans of Disney animated movies have heard about Encanto by now. The recent release has been praised for its portrayal of Colombian culture, its animation quality, and its emotional plot. The story focuses on the journey of protagonist Mirabel Madrigal and her attempt to keep her magical family from falling apart.
While the movie is without a doubt a hit, it hasn’t been popular with everyone. It has hit the mark from a cultural perspective but missed the target in other ways. Nothing is perfect, and Encanto has as many flaws as it does enviable qualities.
10 BEST: The Songs Are Catchy And Illustrate The Characters' Journeys
Part of the magic in every Disney movie comes from its soundtrack. Even among the numerous brilliant songs in Disney’s history, Encanto’s music stands out through its variety and originality. Most songs have a Colombian inspiration, with some being voiced by legendary Colombian voices like Carlos Vives (“Colombia, Mi Encanto”) and Sebastián Yatra (“Dos Oruguitas”).
But each song is unique in terms of genre and theme. They illustrate the journeys and feelings of the characters, sometimes in ways that are truly revolutionary and surprising. The most notable song in the movie, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” brings together the whole cast in a melody that is deceptively catchy despite its almost disturbing theme.
9 WORST: Some Details About The Encanto Don’t Really Make Sense
The miracle protecting the Encanto also gives each member of the Madrigal family a magical gift. The protagonist, Mirabel, doesn’t receive one, and she struggles with being held apart from her mystical family. But oddly enough, the townsfolk seem unaware of her problem.
During the introductory song, “The Family Madrigal,” Mirabel is questioned about her gift and avoids answering, only for a family member to reveal the truth later. It's clearly not a secret and in a town built up around the family's magical talents, it's hard to understand. There are other things that don’t completely make sense, as the miracle itself is never fully explored. That said, with a little more time, that problem could have been fixed.
8 BEST: The Setting Respects And Honors Colombian Traditions And History
Encanto takes place in a magical settlement hidden in the Colombian mountains. The Madrigals take refuge there when the family matriarch, Alma, and her husband Pedro are chased away from their home, alongside numerous other townsfolk. Petro is killed during their attempt to flee and it is Alma’s grief at his death that creates the Encanto.
This theme honors the tragic history of displacement and violence Colombians have had to suffer through. The Encanto is a safe haven for them, one where they celebrate their music, their traditions, and their way of life away from danger. Everything from the local fauna to the fashion is designed to respect and honor Colombia, and it shows.
7 WORST: The Action May Seem A Little Lackluster To Some Viewers
With a family-focused plot, it stands to reason that Encanto isn’t the most action-packed Disney release. Some viewers have complained that nothing actually happens in the film. There are a few intense scenes, particularly when the Madrigal's Casita crumbles but much of the action is purely metaphorical.
For the most part, the focus is on the emotional side of the story, so audiences with a preference for external conflict may find Encanto’s creative choices a little lackluster and disappointing.
6 BEST: The Plot Explores Themes Of Familial Conflict And Individuality
The strength of the miracle heavily relies on the unity of the Madrigal family. Unfortunately, while they seem perfect, the Madrigals are essentially human. Numerous members of the family struggle under Abuela's increasingly harsh demands. The super-strong Luisa has to shoulder heavy burdens and feels like she is crumbling under the pressure. Her sister Isabela is the golden child of the family, but she is forced to comply with everyone else’s perception of her. Mirabel has no gift, and as such, is an outsider.
Her father Agustin confesses to experiencing similar feelings of inadequacy. And then, there’s Tio Bruno. Unlike Mirabel, he has a magical gift, but his prophecies are more a curse than a blessing. His gift allows him to see the future, but his visions always seem ominous, and he is ostracized by both his family and the townsfolk. By the time the movie starts, the family is crumbling under the weight of its problems and it’s up to Mirabel to fix it.
5 WORST: The Other Members Of The Family Aren’t Given The Time To Shine
The Madrigals are a very colorful family. The character designs are extraordinary, making each person memorable and distinct both physically and temperamentally. Unfortunately, much of that work is wasted as not all the characters are given time to shine.
Examples include Mirabel’s shapeshifting cousin Camilo, who's only there to provide the occasional comedic relief, and Dolores whose motivations remain a bit mysterious. It’s never made clear why Dolores, who knew that her uncle Bruno had never left, never shared this information with her family when she is so quick to inform them all about Bruno’s vision regarding Mirabel.
4 BEST: There’s No Real Villain Other Than The Mistakes Of A Grieving Woman
Most Disney movies have a villain, some kind of external threat that the protagonists have to handle. Even in Frozen, Elsa does most of the damage, but there is another antagonist she and Anna eventually fight. Encanto takes another route through its story.
The closest thing to a real villain is Abuela, whose shared trauma hurt so many people. But even Abuela has her reasons, as she is unable to get past the tragedy of her husband’s death. It doesn’t justify her actions, but it does make viewers understand where she is coming from.
3 WORST: Abuela’s Redemption Came A Little Too Easily
In true Disney fashion, this movie has a happy ending. It ends with Abuela understanding the consequences of her actions and reconciling with the family. The sentient home of the Madrigals, Casita, is even rebuilt with the help of the townsfolk.
It’s a truly heartwarming scene, but some fans can’t help but feel that Abuela’s redemption came a little too easily. Bruno seems happy to accept her change of heart, and while this makes sense considering he yearned to return to his family, it sends a complicated message. Forgiveness is an important part of family, but it's often hard-won, and Bruno lost years of his life to his mother's pain.
2 BEST: The Animation And Cameos Create A Vivid And Enchanting Kaleidoscope
Encanto's animation is one of the film's highlights, and both its characters and their location are colorful and well-polished. The bright and intense palette matches the overall cultural background of the story. But Encanto makes even more interesting additions. They sneak in many references to other stories and visual metaphors, creating a vivid and enchanting kaleidoscope.
For example, “Surface Pressure,” sung by Luisa (Jessica Darrow), illustrates the overwhelming expectations she has to keep up with. The burdens Luisa has to carry manifest in an avalanche of visuals that include everything from Hercules fighting Cerberus to the crash of the Titanic. Meanwhile, when her sister Isabela swings from a vine, she is quite similar to Rapunzel, and Bruno tells Pepa to ‘let it go,’ in a nod to Frozen.
1 WORST: The Pacing Could Have Been Better
The fact that Abuela was forgiven so easily is part of a bigger issue in the movie. While overall, Encanto does a good job with its pacing, the story dedicates so much time to Mirabel exploring her family’s problems that there isn't much room left for coming up with a solution.
Some fans feel like Mirabel’s confrontation with Abuela should have taken place earlier in the movie, as it would have given the characters more time to explore their emotions. The reconciliation between the Madrigals doesn’t quite manage to provide a satisfying ending, as the family's feelings need more time to heal. They need a chance to talk things out and the rushed finale doesn't give them the emotional opportunities the story requires.