Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 31, 2022

Disney's Encanto is a film that is steeped in a culture not often depicted on the screen but also core human emotions that run deep no matter the place one calls home or the people one calls family. The film is focused on familial drama but at its core is a magical element that binds it together, a magic that makes the family unique: in some ways positively unique but in others negatively unique. It's how they come together rather than pull apart and accept who they are for their human soul rather than their magical gift that will define if they can thrive being different or merely fight to survive as the magic has made them.

Abuela Alma Madrigal (voiced by María Cecilia Botero) is the matriarch of her sprawling family. Years ago, shortly after giving birth to triplets, her husband was killed in a raid. However, a magical candle saved her and her children and built for them a living "Casita" that they still, decades later, call home. Each member of the family is bestowed a certain magical gift -- divination, strength, the ability to communicate with animals, and the like -- that they use in support of the Colombian community around them. That is, everyone but Mirabel Madrigal (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) who laments her lack of belonging in the family absent her gift. One day, she witnesses the house cracking and the magical candle flickering. Determined to save the house, the magic, and the family, she sets out in search of the family's long-lost black sheep, Bruno (voiced by John Leguizamo), whose ability to see the future may very well tear the house, and the family, apart -- or bring it back together.

The film meets all expectations for a modern digital extravaganza: it's bountifully colorful and beautiful to behold, but the film's strengths are far greater than skin deep. It is populated with a wonderful selection of agreeably interesting characters who are perfectly voiced, each of them given a soul beyond their personality and inhabited beyond the confines of the digital animation content. The Colombian location makes for a beautiful backdrop and the house, perhaps the epitome of the "nonliving character," is a sight to behold. Not only is its design interesting, but the filmmakers have also built into it a believable personality and feel for organic movement in both broad stroke plot necessities and playful little asides alike that reinforce themes and propel story forward.

The superficialities are all in places for a solid watch, but not content to simply make something that is a feast for the eyes, the filmmakers have constructed an engaging and interesting original story that certainly borrows some elements from elsewhere but focuses on how magic has been a blessing and curse to the family, how it has in some ways become a front to hide the truth of who they are in the flesh. Much of Mirabel's life is spent agonizing over how the house passed her over for a magical gift and how she is somewhat ostracized from the rest of the family. However, her journey allows her to move into a position where her lack of magic might be the most magical gift of all. It's a well realized plot that doesn't get lost in the externalities, but the externalities rather support the plot in meaningful ways. Well done.

Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Disney's 2160p/HDR UHD release of Encanto is the superior to the standard Blu-ray, albeit not by leaps and bounds. The higher resolution allows the image to squeeze out just a smidgen more clarity and sharpness from the material. The Blu-ray already does a fantastic job in this arena, but the UHD definitely allows for more refined hair, for example, as well as the bits of wear and structural character on the Casita. Clothes, too, see a tangible, if not fantastical, uptick in overall visible definition, and faces are rendered more clearly defined with the finest little imperfections more evident. The HDR color grading renders the picture a little darker -- more obvious in lower light shots and scenes -- but never does it feel like the HDR was just a product of the brightness turned down. On the contrary, the film's colorful palette enjoys more robust life, with colorful clothes the primary, and most obvious, of beneficiaries. The colors dazzle and delight with great intensity beyond the Blu-ray, which looks comparatively light and less deep and dynamic in comparison. The movie thrives with this more vivid color output. Add in superior white crispness and black level depth and all is well here. There are no source or encode shortcomings, either. This may not be a transformative UHD viewing experience, but its superiority over 1080p is immediately evident. It looks great in all areas of concern.

Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Disney's Dolby Atmos UHD audio presentation for Encanto brings with it a listen similar to the Blu-ray's 7.1 lossless track: plenty of surround engagement but not a lot of weight. The extra Atmos channels offer a slightly richer, fuller soundstage, particularly where such speakers make sense to engage, such as during rain and thunder effects partway through the film. The track feels large and full in terms of raw spatial awareness, drawing the listener more fully and vividly into the magical Colombian setting. Musical front side width and surround depth are hallmarks. The score -- as well as song and lyrics -- are well balanced and alive with satisfyingly large spatial engagement. Unfortunately, the Atmos track suffers the same fate as the 7.1 track with a disturbing and disappointing lack of low-end response. The absence of even a hint of fullness and depth strikes to the very heart of what is wrong here, and several scenes in particular suffer greatly for it. What should be a stabilizing force in the track is instead MIA. Again. At least dialogue is clear and well prioritized.

Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Encanto includes all of its extras on the bundled Blu-ray disc: a sing along version of the film, a short film, a number of featurettes, deleted scenes, outtakes, and instant access to songs. In addition to the Blu-ray copy of the film, a Movies Anywhere digital copy code and an embossed slipcover are included with purchase.

• Sing Along with the Movie (1080p, 1:42:07): Lyrics for the various songs appear on screen during film playback.
• Far from the Tree Theatrical Short Film (1080p, 7:21): The film follows a mother and child raccoon as they explore the world. Also includes An Introduction to 'Far from the Tree' (1080p, 2:09) with Writer/Director Natalie Nourigat.
• Familia Lo Es Todo (1080p, 23:53 total runtime): A three-part supplement that explores story themes, story origins, family dynamics, project research, characters qualities and design, real life character inspirations, voice work, and much more.
• Discover Colombia (1080p, 17:27 total runtime): A two-part supplement exploring the important part the Colombian setting plays in the film: scouting locations, geographical inspirations, character and location design, and more.
• A Journey Through Music (1080p, 24:11 total runtime): A three-part supplement that more closely explores the film's soundtrack.
• Let's Talk About Bruno (1080p, 8:18): Exploring the film's most mysterious character through song and dance.
• Our Casita (1080p, 10:37 total runtime): A two-part supplement that explores the film's nonliving primary character: the house. It looks at design, its role in the film and amongst the characters, its "musical" characteristics, and more.
• Outtakes (1080p, 2:59): Humorous moments from the voice recording sessions.
• Journey to Colombia (1080i, 2:24): A very brief look at the filmmakers' location scouting trip in Colombia.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 20:34 total runtime): Included are Chores!, Another Way In, Isabela Goes Into the Woods, and Back to the Mural. With introductions by Co-heads of Story Jason Hand and Nancy Kruse.
• Song Selection (1080p, 30:21 total runtime): Instant access to the following songs: "The Family Madrigal;" "Colombia, Mi Encanto;" "Waiting on a Miracle;" "Surface Pressure;" We Don't Talk About Bruno;" "What Else Can I Do?;" "Dos Oruguitas;" and "All of You."

Encanto 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Encanto is a joyous film that is teeming with originality and looks wonderful to boot. It's also dramatically thoughtful and emotionally purposeful. Add in first-rate voice work and this is a home run of a digitally animated film. Disney's Blu-ray suffers from lackluster audio but is otherwise excellent, featuring five-star video and plenty of extra content. Recommended.