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Crazy, colourful Encanto a milestone

James Croot ★★★★ Encanto is screening now in cinemas.

Encanto (PG, 99 mins) Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith Reviewed by

Disney’s 60th feature-length animated adventure continues its recent globetrotting search for stories. The result is an enchanting Colombian tale that’s suitable for the whole family.

For decades, the magical, Madrigal family have been the heart of their surrounding village. Saved by a miracle after husband Pedro’s sacrificial stand against invaders seemingly ended in vain, mother-of-three Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero) has resided in a living house (casita). Each clan member is gifted a special power on their coming of age.

One possesses super strength, others enhanced hearing, shapeshifting abilities and endless flora-creation. All are willing and able to use their talents for the greater good of their fellow citizens.

The odd one out though is Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). Much to her abuela (grandmother) Alma’s consternation, she possesses no obvious enhancement, something she has tried to make up for with mahi and good graces every moment of every day.

There’s plenty of relief when Mirabel’s younger cousin Antonio (Ravi-Cabot Conyers) is next gifted the ability to talk to animals, but a vision later that night puts Mirabel on edge. It’s of their beloved casita cracking and each individual’s powers failing.

Initially dismissed as jealous nonsense, Mirabel subsequently discovers others are just as fearful about the future and that fissures within the family structure are about to be exposed.

Like their brilliant 2016 interspecies buddy comedy Zootopia, co-writer-directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard (joined on this by playwright and Devious Maids screenwriter Charise Castro Smith) have crafted a warm, witty and winning story that celebrates its flawed ‘‘heroine’’ and offers plenty of laughs, along with the requisite perils.

Mirabel is a fully threedimensional character who will charm her way into your heart. Certainly not your typical Disney princess, she is brought to life by the animation team and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Beatriz.

Shout outs too for a scenestealing John Leguizamo and Colombian TV veteran Botero, while Miranda’s eclectic range of tunes reflect the action, set the scene, add plenty of colour and spice up proceedings regularly, but without overpowering the story.

Preceded in cinema screenings by Natalie Nourigat’s traditionalanimation-inspired, endearing racoon adventure Far From the Tree, Encanto is the perfect excuse for a pre-Christmas family outing.

Entertainment

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2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

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