The 12 members of the same family, headed by grandmother Abuela Alma, live in an enchanted house in the heart of the Colombian Amazon forest. All have a particular power, except Mirabel, who does not feel up to it. However, the fate of his family rests on his shoulders.
Disney has a habit of using magic and has made it its trademark. His 60e animated film is part of this tradition, which allows it to transcend reality. Except that the real magic, this time around, is in the relationship between the various characters of the Madrigal family, who we can all relate to, and which becomes stronger when all get to know each other better and discover the others under. a new day.
Jared Bush and Byron Howard, who previously teamed up to direct Zootopia, worked closely with screenwriter and co-director Charise Castro Smith (who notably wrote the screenplay for The Haunting of Hill House) and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights). The latter, who was involved in the project from the start, contributed to the 8 songs of this colorful musical, where each of the 12 characters stands out in his own way. Which, in itself, is a tour de force.
With every animated film, Disney raises the bar and sets high expectations. This time, the creative team responds with their uplifting songs that go to the rhythm of Colombian music, with a good dose of humor, as much in the visual details as in the dialogues, and with the extreme beauty of his images. Without forgetting its endearing characters rooted in their culture, its friendly animals straight out of the Amazon and, of course, its touch of magic. There is, this time, neither princess nor villain to fight. Rather, the threat comes from within, in the roles that everyone is forced to play to please others (and grandmother Abuela Alma) and which prevent them from thriving.
There is for example Isabela (Diane Guerrero), who grows flowers everywhere, while being a prisoner of her perfect image, and Luisa (Jessica Darrow), who puts her superhuman strength at the service of the community, but bends under the pressure. . They are the older sisters of Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), the only one of the children and grandchildren of Abuela Alma who is not endowed with a special talent.
She is also the only one to notice the growing number of cracks in the walls and floors of their precious home, which is a reflection of their image. This enchanted dwelling, to which the title of the film refers (Encanto; Encanto – The Fantastic Family Madrigal, in French version), is alive, filled with magic and driven by good will. She is a full member of the family, which Abuela Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero) wants to preserve at all costs. But the matriarch herself is afraid of failing in her responsibilities.
Mirabel’s quest is above all motivated by the love she feels for those close to her. The questioning of the roles of each within the family, to arrive at a sincere harmony, will affect both adults and children. The launch of this very touching work, as the holidays approach, could not have come at a better time.
Indoors
Animation Film
Encanto
Jared Bush and Byron Howard
With the voices of Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
1 h 49
Consult the film schedule