Encanto Review: We Don’t Talk About Bruno Carries a Solid, Sincere Musical

Disney’s animated musical Encanto aims to be more than a standard Pixar-style family fare. Set in Colombia, it follows the Madrigals, a magical family who live in a house that sings and heals. The film wants to honor Colombian culture while delivering a story about belonging. Mostly, it succeeds.

Trailer, via Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Madrigal Family

The story centers on Isabela, Mirabel, and Luisa, three sisters who each carry a gift tied to the Madrigal house’s magic. When the house starts to fall apart, Mirabel becomes the unlikely hero tasked with saving her family. The setup is simple, but the emotional stakes land.

The animation is bright and detailed, with the Colombian setting rendered with care. The songs carry a strong Latin pop influence, and the music is often the best part of the film. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” became a viral hit, and it earns that attention.

The Gifts That Bind Them

Each character’s gift defines their role within the family. Mirabel doesn’t have one, which makes her outsider status central to the plot. The film explores what happens when a family depends too heavily on magic, and what it means to be the one left behind.

The supporting cast is solid, particularly the voice work of John Leguizamo as Bruno, the family’s outcast uncle. His character adds a layer of mystery and tragedy to the story. The villains are less memorable, but they don’t drag down the film.

What Works

1. The music, especially “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which carries the film’s most infectious moment.
2. The animation, which captures the colorful world of the Madrigals with warmth.
3. The emotional core about family bonds and feeling left out.
4. The voice acting, particularly Leguizamo’s performance as Bruno.

What Falls Short

The plot is thin in stretches, and some of the exposition feels rushed. The villain’s plan is easy to guess early on, which takes some of the tension out of the final act. The pacing could also use tightening in the middle section, where the film slows to let the songs breathe.

The film’s attempt to honor Colombian culture is sincere, but it leans on familiar Disney stereotypes about magical villages and family secrets. It’s a step forward for representation, but it’s not a full break from the studio’s usual formulas.

A Solid Addition

Encanto isn’t a reinvention of Disney animation. It’s a polished, heartfelt addition to the canon that respects its source material while playing to the studio’s strengths. The songs are catchy, the visuals are stunning, and the message about family is delivered with sincerity.

It’s a film that works best as a shared experience, with audiences singing along to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and bonding over the Madrigals’ struggles. For children, it offers a story about being proud of who you are, even when you don’t fit the mold.

For adults, it’s a reminder of the value of being present for your loved ones, even when you feel invisible. It’s a film that knows exactly what it wants to be, and mostly delivers on that promise.

animated film · Disney · Encanto · Latin pop · movie review