Encanto

Encanto lives up to its name: it’s enchanting. It’s been a while since Disney has had a film that evokes the wonder of their earlier films, but Encanto does it well. Despite its culturally specific setting, the film’s broad appeal proves that venturing into diverse stories is the right direction for Disney.

Encanto’s biggest strength is its visual design. The film is drenched in vibrant colors reminiscent of the Disney Renaissance (the period beginning with The Little Mermaid in 1989 through 1999’s Tarzan). During the development process the animators visited and studied the culture of Colombia, and it shows. They manage to capture the warm, lively culture of the country, a welcome change from the many pieces of media that have portrayed it in a negative light.

While the music—composed by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda—is not as strong as some of Disney’s other films (Miranda’s soundtrack for Moana definitely slaps) it’s not without charm. The songs that truly stand out are a mixture of multiple genres, drawing inspiration from Latin music but pushing it into more theatrical territory. The most memorable ones include “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which will make you want to salsa; “Waiting on a Miracle,” the perfect “I want” ballad; “The Family Madrigal,” an upbeat number that introduces us to the story’s family of characters; and “Surface Pressure,” which fuses modern pop with more traditional musical theater. The visuals during “Surface Pressure” provide some of the best moments of the entire film, reminiscent of the quick cutaways during the animated version of Aladdin.

It’s not too much of a spoiler to say that unlike more recent Disney films, there are no twist villains here. In fact, Encanto does not even have a traditional villain. The story centers around the complexities of family dynamics, and ends with a positive message that is great for both kids and their parents. Mirabel is also one of Disney’s most charming heroines. She’s independent, intelligent, dorky, and extremely relatable. She’s also the first Disney heroine to wear glasses!