When Disney Studios released the trailer for their upcoming animated film “Encanto,” it made viewers see the entire franchise in a new light. Over the years, the media giants have produced some iconic movies, but they all seemed different from what fans should expect when “Encanto” premieres.
For one, the film takes fans to a magical world of Latin culture which is quite unlike anything they have done before. It also centers on interpersonal family dynamics away from the usual hero worship settings of their previous releases.
Already, critics have started reviewing the flick even though it is not yet out in theaters. Based on the first batch of reviews, it seems like most Disney Animation diehards will love “Encanto.”
While some people might not like the movie’s concept, the general critics’ overview mostly found it to be worth checking out.
How Critics Scored ‘Encanto’
In “Encanto,” Disney used a female protagonist in a lead role, similar to “Raya and The Last Dragon,” released earlier this year to critical acclaim.
It tells the tale of a teenage girl named Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) living in a secluded village in Colombia. She comes from the bloodlines of the Madrigals – a family imbued with magical powers which each member receives at the age of five.
However, Mirabel is the odd one out, as she does not manifest the same magical trait. While facing the disappointment that comes with her ill-luck, she discovers that the family power is in danger and goes on a mission to resolve the mystery and save their magic.
Metacritic rated the movie on the high side, with a score of 72 based on 20 critic reviews. The San Francisco Chronicle gave the film a 100 while The Guardian’s went low with a 40 score. In addition, the movie has a popularity score of 71% on IMDB and 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics’ Reactions To ‘Encanto’
While “Encanto” shares many similarities with other animated Disney classics – such as good music scores, colorful visuals, and a female protagonist, it also marks the first narrative film to center on South American Culture.
Critics heaped praises on Disney for trying to diversify its storytelling. They also commended the beautiful scenes and sounds in the initial screening. However, some opined that despite the tweak in the storyline and background, it remained bland and was not overly captivating.
Whatever the case might be, this current narrative seems to work for Disney. They have proven that making films in a manner that appeals to parents and children brings in the big bucks. Hence there is no need to go too much out of line.
Ultimately, Disney will occasionally deviate from the norm from time to time, but it’s evident that some people are interested in seeing drastic changes.
Fans Reactions To ‘Encanto’
With only a few hours left to the movie’s premiere, fans are already dropping comments based on what they have seen in the trailer.
One fan commented, “My family is totally mixed, as are most Colombian families, so when I saw the range of skin colors and tones, I got really emotional because it means A LOT. A Colombian is a Colombian regardless of skin color, and this film accurately portrays this.
Another fan said, “Yay! I’m trying to keep my expectations in check, but after the preview at Animation is Film, I cannot wait to see it!”
The prevalent mood of fans before the debut of the film is generally positive. Fans are anticipating a magical ride when they step into the cinemas to see the movie. Hopefully, their desires get satisfied when the film drops.
Release Date And Cast
“Encanto” marks the 60th feature film for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Fans can get to see it in the cinemas on November 24, 2021. Just as the movie centers on family dynamics, its debut comes in Thanksgiving week to seemingly mark the holiday.
The upcoming flick will show for 30 days in the cinemas, enough time for any Disney diehards to watch the film and come back for multiple viewings. After that, viewers can get it on Disney+, Disney’s streaming platform. All that is required is to download the application and pay the subscription fee.
The movie stars the voices of Beatriz, John Leguizamo, María Cecilia Botero, Diane Guerrero, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, and Wilmer Valderrama and among others.
It also features original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by an experienced trio of Byron Howard, Jared Bush, and Charise Castro Smith. The production team mainly consists of Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino.
