On Nov. 24, 2021, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributed the film Encanto. Encanto is the kind of movie that comes to mind when you think of a Disney movie, bright and vibrant colors, magic, catchy music, and a theme about family that a lot of the viewers at home can relate to. 

The film takes place in rural Colombia, following the story of the Madrigal family, more specifically 15-year-old Mirabel Madrigal. The family lives in sentient and magic home, and In the Madrigal family, everyone has a magical gift, except for the protagonist. 

The story follows Mirabel as she comes to terms with her lack of gift and that she is just as special as everyone else in the family even without her gift. 

With music written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, viewers enjoy both pop and high energy songs, while also enjoying the more somber and emotional music. 

This movie grasps the theme of generational trauma, a theme that a lot of viewers, more specifically Hispanic families, can empathize and relate to. Abuela, the protector and leader of the family, wants to make sure everything and everyone is perfect. She prioritizes the gifts above the people at points, and almost intentionally pushing Mirabel into the shadows. As the movie progresses, we learn more about the history of the home, and by extent Abuela. We learn why she is so attached to the magic and prioritizes looking and being perfect. 

With the amount of detail and care in the movie, like the color coordinating the different sides of the family, every sibling and cousin represented on Mirabel’s dress, and the attention to Colombian culture, it is obvious that the producers genuinely put care into this film, and it really shows through. 

With a 91% on movie review site, Rotten Tomatoes, and a 93% audience approval rating, while also making $215,679,349 in Worldwide Box Office, it really shows that much of the audience enjoyed this film to a considerable extent.  

As with all movies, there of course are some flaws. With an entire village and the large Madrigal family, a lot of characters that are introduced fall into the shadows, even characters like Mirabel’s sisters Luisa and Isabela. With a film about overcoming generational trauma and communication in families, some of the family members are not as developed as others are. 

But at the end of the day, Encanto is a beautiful film about Colombian culture and Hispanic families, with eye-catching animation and colors, and well produced music, that everyone can go and enjoy. It is a film that I would recommend to anyone.