By Paul Hall
In the new film Encanto, Mirabel Madrigal (voice of Stephanie Beatriz) is a very happy and excited young lady. The kids in the village love to hear stories about her large family and the magical gifts with which they have been blessed to help their neighbors survive.
The family lives in the Colombian mountains, and each member receives their own gift that influences everything from weather to animals. There is even a member with super strength who can do things that normal humans could hardly imagine. But when it was Mirabel’s turn, she was one of the only ones who did not receive a gift. Her door closed and that unfortunate occurrence caused a rift between Mirabel and her Abuela (María Cecilia Botero).
Despite lacking an obvious gift, Mirabel yearns to fit in with her family of extraordinary individuals. She sings the praises of her extended Madrigal family, but desperately wants to find her place. With magic powers all around, she is different, but is different a bad thing?
Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, In the Heights) provides the personality behind Mirabel. She infuses the colorful and loving character with a supporting and loving voice that is absolutely taken by the magic of the Madrigal family. Beatriz gives Mirabel the enthusiasm of a cheerleader along with the nurturing folksiness of the girl next door. It is in her youthful exuberance that Mirabel unites a family, and it just may be what every family needs. Encanto shines when Mirabel takes over.
Visually, the environment is lush and pops off the screen. The mountainous region is truly a spectacle that allows viewers the ability to journey to a remote area that most could never dream of visiting. But it isn’t just the visuals that make Encanto special — the importance of family is front and center.
Family drives so much of what is important to the Madrigals. It is the lifeblood of their very existence and central to Encanto. It will warm your heart and prove to you that gifts come in all shapes, sizes and forms.
We are all different but we rely on each other and could take some lessons from Mirabel. Despite the deck that may be stacked against you, there still are many who will stand by you and help you thrive. Just one shuffle, one card, one change can make a world of difference for all around you.
Sometimes the less obvious or more limited gifts are the greatest of all, even if it takes a while to uncover them.
Paul’s Grade: B
Encanto
Rated PG
Voices of: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith