Encanto

 2.5/4

Starring (voices): Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitan

Rated PG for Some Thematic Elements and Mild Peril

I gotta hand it to Disney: they're willing to look to other cultures to inspire their stories.  From Greek myth ("Hercules," which butchered the source material, but never mind), China ("Mulan") and the African Savannah ("The Lion King").  With "Encanto," they are drawing inspiration from Colombian culture and using magical realism that was emblematic of the nation's literary hero, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  It's been Disneyfied, of course, but still.  Unfortunately, this new film just doesn't live up to the Disney name.

After Abuela Alma (Botero) fled her town and lost her beloved husband in an act of self-sacrifice, she was blessed with magic to create a new, perfect town.  She and her family are the leaders, as when they come of age, they are each blessed with a "gift."  These gifts range from super strength to being able to instantly cure any ill through cooking.  The house itself is magical, too.  It has a personality and can communicate with the family members (albeit without speaking).  The only one without a gift is the grandchild, Mirabel (Beatriz).  This makes her an outcast in the family, although there is a very good reason why she has no gift.  And the longer she takes to realize what that reason is, the more danger she and her family are in.

Disney's animated movies are not known for taking risks.  Even their best films like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" follow the same formula.  They rely on strong character identification, story construction and, of course, the songs, to succeed.  All with the famous Disney spin.  "Encanto" is no different, but unfortunately it is lacking in each area.  There are so many characters that it is impossible to identify with any of them (only Mirabel shows flashes of individuality, and she's just your typical Disney heroin).  The story is too cluttered to make much sense.  And I might have liked the songs better if I could have understood any of the lyrics.

The film does have its positive elements.  "Encanto" is bright and colorful (and occasionally dazzling).  The opening number is lively and energetic.  And there are some one-liners that are laugh aloud funny.  Finally, while I can't say that the film's story is effectively presented, it doesn't just use its premise as a gimmick.  But all of these ideas are competing for attention, and the screenplay lacks the focus to stick to one story to drive the plot from beginning to the end.  "Encanto" needed a rewrite to give it the discipline it needed in order to succeed.

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