Mirabel is extraordinary, in that when it comes to her family, she is totally normal.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 the set-up for DisneyB次元官网网址檚 absolutely charming new animated musical which flips the typical childrenB次元官网网址檚 movie script.
B次元官网网址淚 will stand on the side/When you shine,B次元官网网址� Mirabel sings to her special brothers and sisters, though she confesses, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not fine.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 only appropriate that B次元官网网址淓ncantoB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� fueled by eight original songs by B次元官网网址淗amiltonB次元官网网址� creator Lin-Manuel Miranda B次元官网网址� turns into that most special thing of all: A triumph in every category: art, songs and heart.
It starts with Mirabel Madrigal, a saucer-eyed, sweet hearted youngster from a magical family in Colombia, where their vibrant house holds many generations. Every Madrigal at the age of 5 reveals an inner magic, say, shapeshifting, talking to animals, super strength or powerful hearing. They, in turn, help the surrounding community.
But magic has somehow skipped over Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), who as she grows into a young girl still tries to be useful among a household of Avenger-like siblings. B次元官网网址淕ift or no gift, I am just as special as the rest of my family,B次元官网网址� she says.
But soon not all is well for this family whose magic was built on tragedy. Cracks B次元官网网址� literal B次元官网网址� appear in their homeB次元官网网址檚 foundations and their stern matriarch, Abuela Alma, worries quietly that their magic may be failing. ItB次元官网网址檚 up to Mirabel to investigate whatB次元官网网址檚 going on and save the family.
Directors Byron Howard, Jared Bush and Charise Castro Smith fill this tale with their own magic B次元官网网址� expressive faces, acres of brilliant flowers, dancing rats, funny donkeys and a house that becomes a character itself, complete with wagging shutters for waves and tiles that move excitedly.
The voice cast includes John Leguizamo, Wilmer Valderrama, Maluma, Adassa, Mar铆a Cecilia Botero, Angie Cepeda, Diane Guerrero and Jessica Darrow.
Miranda takes a page from musical theater in his first song, B次元官网网址淭he Family Madrigal,B次元官网网址� which sets the table by introducing the extended clan, and creates B次元官网网址淲aiting on a MiracleB次元官网网址� for Mirabel, our spunky, glasses-wearing heroine, who stops time to sing her plaintive tune.
He gives the rocking B次元官网网址淲hat Else Can I Do?B次元官网网址� to a beautiful sister who makes flowers bloom but is secretly restless, and he gifts the super-strong sister the song B次元官网网址淪urface/Pressure,B次元官网网址� which reveals the secret stresses she feels. And thereB次元官网网址檚 the terrific, fun group tune B次元官网网址淲e DonB次元官网网址檛 Talk About Bruno,B次元官网网址� about a family outcast. (Also listen to a little fun Miranda has with another Disney hit, B次元官网网址淟et It GoB次元官网网址�).
The action, technically, mostly takes place in the rambling house, though there are magical parts of it that defy physics. There is no traditional villain, either, just an unease as the magic fades.
As always in a Disney animated movie, the visuals are a delight. Look at how a motif of butterflies is subtly represented in the pattern on MirabelB次元官网网址檚 dress. There is also a panning shot of the Colombian community at dusk with its lights and candles blazing that is warm and welcoming.
B次元官网网址淓ncantoB次元官网网址� is a film about the pressure of living up to high expectations and the fear of revealing imperfections. ItB次元官网网址檚 about outcasts and misfits in plain sight. B次元官网网址淪ometime family weirdos get a bad rap,B次元官网网址� is one line. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e more than just your gift,B次元官网网址� is another message. Behind all that is also a cheer for immigration and how we need to lend our gifts to the community. It is the Thanksgiving movie we need in 2021.
B次元官网网址淓苍肠补苍迟辞,B次元官网网址� a Walt Disney Studio release, is rated PG-13 for B次元官网网址渟ome thematic elements and mild peril.B次元官网网址� Running time: 99 minutes. Four stars out of four.
B次元官网网址擬ark Kennedy, The Associated Press
