Movie Review - Encanto

Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith
Genre: Family/ Animation/ Fantasy/ Adventure/ Musical
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitan, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderama, Rhenzy Feliz

Description: A young Colombian girl (Stephanie Beatriz) has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers.

Review: Mirabels immensely strong sister Luisa can fold five donkeys over her shoulder, just like that. Sister Isabela constantly conjures up the most beautiful flowers. Uncle Bruno, who has been missing for years, has prophetic visions. These are gifts they received as children when they touched the knob of their personal magic door, in the enchanted home of the Colombian Madrigal family.
And what happened when Mirabel herself had her turn? Nothing at all. The heroine of the delightful, loving Disney fairy tale “Encanto” remained the ordinary girl with curly hair that she always was.
“Encanto” tells a layered, complex story without an obligatory villain, and without ever losing its rhythm. The songs unmistakably contribute to this, from Mirabel’s beautiful solo performance to the number in which Luisa literally succumbs to social pressure.
Disney had a good year with animations like “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Luca”, but “Encanto” is my favorite.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - In the Heights

Director: Jon M. Chu
Genre: Musical/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 143 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Olga Merediz, Jimmy Smits, Gregory Diaz IV, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz

Description: A film version of the Broadway musical in which Usnavi (Anthon Ramos), a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.

Review: In Washington Heights, Manhattan we see several stories of people who are struggling to make ends meet, love problems, and dreams of getting a better life in the future, among other things.
In 2020, the Broadway film adaptation of Hamilton was a favorite for many. The man behind the music, Lin-Manuel Miranda, would now make a film adaptation of his other well-known Broadway hit, “In the Heights”. Another infectious musical that draws you in from the first song and leaves you with a feel-good feeling.
I’m a musical fan and I’m very happy to see that the genre hasn’t died yet. Lin-Manuel Miranda has a certain style that I don’t always like, but his mix of rap, hip-hop, Dominican swing music and slow pieces really fit perfectly in this setting.
I think “In the Heights” is the type of movie needed in this difficult time, to feel happy and be surrounded by song, dance and music. A feel-good movie, even if you’re not necessarily a musical fan.

Rating: 3,5/ 5