The milestone animated Disney feature doesn’t nearly match up with its bonus short Far From The Tree as it conjures up enraptured imagery with some perks like a toucan for the younger set.
Encanto comes from the makers of the more ingenious Zootopia as special qualities are bestowed on members of the Madrigal clan on their 5th birthday.
A prologue sets the stage for the wistful, yet mystical milieu involving matriarch Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero) that posits generations in a mindful domicile.
The energetically voiced tale infused in Latin heritage with Lin-Miranda’s original tunes has a way with its gifts for a while. As it might be a rejoinder to what personifies other noteworthy genres in its canon, especially when it comes to stuff like superheroes and Jedi Knights.
Here, in what vies for a sense of community with a steely affection gets bogged down in a contrived, even contradictory way. Yet it’s hard to get behind the dilemma faced by the main character Alma’s bespectacled teen granddaughter Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz of In The Heights).
From the candle and doors Mirabel has been overlooked for a more subtle gift offered to nearly all of her extended family. Diane Guerrero shows how older sis Isabela has been blessed with a botanical blooming spirit while middle sister Luisa (Jessica Darrow) exudes substantial strength. Quirks extend to many others including compassionate therapeutic cook mother Julietta (Angie Cepeda) and papa Augustin (Wilmer Valderrama of NCIS fame)
A fissure in a foundation makes for Mirabel to mine her unique talent in an arc that aims to educe more gravitas and some wit from estranged family member Bruno, a manic soothsayer of sorts done in scene-chewing fashion by John Leguizamo (Ice Age). Encanto just gets too knotty and less riveting as sharp, as the filmmakers, Miranda and a rangy Beatriz aim to present it. Familial pride gets rained on with familiarity for a power trip that needed more rescuing.