Psst – just don’t mention Bruno!
Five, six, maybe seven – how many times have you watched Encanto with your child now? Wait, what – you haven’t seen it yet? Friend, it’s time to get with the program, quite literally.
The second highest-grossing animated movie of 2021 is now on Disney+ and enjoying a second wave of glory. Don’t get what the fuss is all about, let us enlighten you…
Watch The Trailer
1. Movie magic brought to life
We could all do with a touch of magic and who better to deliver than Disney?
Quite literally translating as ‘Charm’, Encanto tells the story of The Madrigals – a Colombian family with special powers… all except for Mirabel. But, as we learn throughout the film, there’s a little bit of magic in all of us.
2. A playbook of catchy songs
Speaking of gifts, Encanto is graced with a foot-thumping soundtrack courtesy of Lin Manuel-Miranda. Yes, him from Hamilton.
In case you’ve been under a rock, breakout hit ‘We Don’t talk about Bruno’ has become the second-ever song from a Disney animation to reach No.1 in the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Other earworms include the musical theatre ensemble of ‘Waiting on a Miracle’ , the tenderness of ‘The Family Madrigal’ and the tap-tap-tap-tap-along catchiness of ‘Surface Pressure’. In short, it’s a musical journey of storytelling with super catchy tunes.
3. Relatable loveable characters
You might wonder how you can connect with a Colombian family with supernatural powers, and yet…
Touching on themes of family acceptance, inter-sibling rivalry, and growing up, it’s surprisingly relatable. At its heart there’s Mirabel – a girl who, unlike the rest of her family has no special gifts, just a moral compass wanting the best for everyone. Quietly confident and fiercely brave, you can’t help but root for Mirabel the underdog.
4. Because heroes can wear glasses too
Unbelievably, this is the first time that a female lead in a Disney animated movie has worn glasses. Let’s just think about that for a moment. What’s more, we have this nine-year old girl to thank for it.
5. It’s very of the moment
Acceptance is very much the buzzword of recent times, and from the get-go we see Mirabel talking about her personal journey of acceptance.
The only family member born without a magical gift, she’s made peace with it, even if those around her haven’t. This is a movie greater than the sum of its parts, because the one thing you’ll take away from it is that ‘you are enough’. Well, that and Bruno, but we’re still not talking about him…
6. Strong female leads
From Princesses that need to be rescued to kick-ass independent girls – Disney’s evolution of female representation has come full circle.
Mirabel is just one of several strong women in the movie, including her sister Luisa. Sassy, dependable and tough, she also has a vulnerable side showing that no one is immune to life’s struggles. It’s this heady combination of fierce strength and brutal honesty that makes the female characters so empowering in the movie.
7. Colombian culture at its best
From the Polynesian Islands in Moana, to Mexico in Coco, Disney has taken note that not everything happens in California (believe it or not).
Encanto is the latest in a growing catalogue of movies to showcase underrepresented cultures. In doing so, it has been much praised, least of all for its accuracy and authenticity. If you’re reading this Disney bods, we could do with an Australian adventure next, thank you!
8. Sparked a viral movement
If you’re on TikTok you might have seen that Encanto is causing quite a love-in with fans around the globe coming forward to reveal their character look-alikes. We can’t get enough of this trend right now.
9. It’s a story of personal triumph
As the movie goes, “Even in our darkest moments, there’s light where you least expect it”.
Shining a light on the ordinary, the everyday, and the regular – Encanto is the perfect reminder of this. And at a time when we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic, it’s an important reminder to love those we’re fortunate to be surrounded by.
10. We don’t talk about him…
Not since Sacha Baron Cohen gave us Bruno in 2009, have we loved another outcast of the same moniker.
We won’t spoil the film for you, but suffice to say Bruno’s black sheep status is a little harsh given his extraordinary gift. But as with all things Disney – it’s all good in the end.
Watch now on Disney+
Never miss any of the Disney magic with our weekly Disney+ alerts.