Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Encanto 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 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As expected, Encanto looks magnificent on Blu-ray. That pretty much sums it up, but here's the essential breakdown. Clarity is first-rate. The Blu-ray shows no struggle in bringing even the most complex character, clothing, or Casita details to the screen with commanding intimacy. Viewers will frequently be astonished with the level of raw detail on display. Colors are likewise aggressive in boldness but never over pumped or in any way unnatural. It's a delightful tonal spread that compliments the film's vivid location and character elements with both grace and excitement. Black level depth is terrific, too, and there are no source or encode anomalies standing in the way of a perfect Blu-ray video presentation.

Encanto Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The included DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack has been "Disney-fied." The presentation offers the usual high-end components for a Disney track – healthy surround engagement and plenty of core clarity – but succumbs to the seriously degrading absentee bass that has become a hallmark of the studio's audio presentations. The track could stand more raw power and potency in all areas of concern: music to be sure but also with some of the more should-be potent turns, such as when the house cracks and thunder booms around the 53-minute mark (and again at the 73-minute mark). There's very little bass to be heard where the track screams out for it the most. As noted, however, the track never wants for spatial fill, surround integration, and pinpoint clarity and placement for both in-motion and discretely placed audio effects. Dialogue is also clear and center positioned for the duration.

Encanto Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Encanto includes a sing along version of the film, a short film, a number of featurettes, deleted scenes, outtakes, and instant access to songs. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code 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 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.