Once again, Disney has got me tearing up and connecting on all sorts of level. This little film which includes the always talented, cool, Lin-Manuel Miranda on the writers list, is Disney’s most recent must watch. And I must add early on; anything that knocks Frozen off its pedestal is a winner for me regardless of the films capabilities.

Encanto revolves around the gifted Madrigal family, led by their grand matriarch, Abuela Alma (voiced by Maria Cecilia Botero). When each child comes of a certain age, they are given a door to open which will reveal their room, which in turn, also reveals their gift. Luisa (voiced by Jessica Darrow) is strong. Isabela (voiced by Diane Guerrero) has the gift of making everything perfect. And cousin Dolores (voiced by Adassa) can hear everything! However, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), didn’t get her gift. A seemingly disappointment to her family, cracks start to show. Not just metaphorically in the family, but on the house they call Casita, itself. Stumbling across her long lost uncle, Bruno (voiced by John Leguizamo), he shows her a vision, using his gift of prediction. This vision will then begin Mirabel’s journey to saving the family. But how, when she’s powerless?

Encanto is up to the viewer’s interpretation. I’d love to hear what each child has got to say about what they thought Mirabel was going through, and whether they believed she did indeed have a power in the end. I personally have interpreted as such: Mirabel is the gift. She is the foundation that will rebuild the house, and the flame that will light up the family’s mystical candle, again. But, she needed to figure this out on her own. She needed to start believing that she was indeed good enough, after feeling she never was, this entire time. I know that feeling of not being good enough all too well, so I connected with Mirabel. Now that I think of it, I believe she might be the first character in the Disney world that I see myself in; always wanting to help, always wanting to do better, always wanting to see everyone around me do well.

I think Disney has also done well by being inclusive. Here we have a not so Disney princess-ey, curly hair girl, with a big nose and a big pair of green glasses, who’s goal has nothing to do with a prince or a love interest of any kid.

I don’t believe the songs are your typical singalong ones nor were they intended to be as the ones we have grown to love in a Disney film, but boy, that We Don’t Talk About Bruno track is catchy. It is very Miranda. Definitely a head-bobber and a hip shaker.

Encanto really pulls on the heart strings, and the beauty of colour on the screen make it such a wonderful experience. It also instils a powerful and beautiful message that some kids really need these days, and that is, you are enough!

Rating: 3.5/5