Encanto

Movie Review: Encanto

First and foremost to those about to celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you and yours a happy

and safe holiday. And I thank you for taking time to read my review.  I'll keep this one short 

and sweet so you can get back to your holiday.

Run, don't walk to your nearest theater to see Encanto on the big screen. Starting off you’re

treated to the wonderful short Far From the Tree that sets the perfect tone for the main 

feature so don't be late to your seat.

Speaking of the feature film, Disney has once again struck animation gold with this story about

the extraordinary Madrigal family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia. The

animation is incredible (not surprising), the textures and colors leap off the screen, and to do

Lin-Manuel Miranda's original soundtrack the justice it so richly deserves, nothing will beat the

theater sound system.  Just be warned, if you're anything like me, you'll have a hard time

remaining seated.  Surface Pressure alone had me desperate to shake what my mama gave

me, bad knees be damned.

Encanto's story is engaging and gratifying with an exciting and emotional journey that keeps

you hooked the entire hour thirty-nine minutes .  Maybe a little too much.  Thankfully there

were no kids around me to hear my less tan G rated comments at moments.   Yes, I was

definitely into this movie. The characters are well developed and as fun and individualized

as their special gifts.   Plenty of laughs, thrills, action, and surprises.  For younger kids that

are a bit sensitive some of the action may be a bit intense.

I loved this film! As soon as it was over I wanted to watch it again.  I’ll certainly be adding

Encanto to my personal film library as soon as it’s available.  In the interim, I may have to

head back to the theater to see it to tide me over. Encanto delivers for the entire family and

needs to be seen at least once in all its glory on a movie screen.  

It’s a solid 10 from me.

 

Ghostbusters Afterlife

 

There's a lot to be said for nostalgia and "the good old days" particularly when it comes to

our entertainment.  It brings up memories and stirs feelings that make you all warm and gushy. 

One of those for me is the original Ghostbusters.  37 years later and it's still a favorite that I

find myself watching at least once a year.  After the last go round with the franchise (shudder)

I was more than prepared to write off any further attempts to continue these films.  Then

writer/director Jason Reitman (son of original director Ivan) decided to throw his hat into the

ring.  If anyone could deliver on the promise of resurrecting  the franchise, who better than

the kid that grew up around the original films?

The promise has been kept and exceeded in Ghostbusters Afterlife.  The hook of original 

Ghostbuster Egon Spengler's (the late Harold Ramis) grandkids picking up and running

with the torch feels organic and lends itself to the many homages to the first films while

keeping the story fresh and engaging. Reitman has created a tribute/legacy film to be

proud of.

Casting is wonderful.  Something that can be a bit dodgy when it comes to kids.  But,

Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace have acting chops to spare. Relative newcomer

Logan Kim as Podcast is adorable and more than holds his own.  Paul Rudd delivers the

charm and funny, naturally. Carrie Coon (Proxima Midnight anyone?) as the bitter, hurt, and

angry abandoned child is the perfect hot mess of a mom. And with one notable and not

surprising exception the special appearances are exciting and bring the warm fuzzies.  

Ghostbusters Afterlife is a 2 hour 4 minute entertaining trip down memory lane, filled with

excitement, thrills, laughs, and heart.  I confess I enjoyed the hell out of this one.  

The special effects, cinematography, and direction are solid.  The soundtrack is on point

and the finale? Damn! It delivers, and delivers hard. Suspense, emotion, drama,

laughs...a fitting and wonderful end to this film and worthy of being the exclamation

point on the first two films.

This is how a throwback film should be made. Plenty to offer long time fans without

alienating new ones and delighting  both. Not an easy thing to pull off.  If you can, I say

check this one out at the theater.  And be sure to stay all the way through the credits,

you won't want to miss the two bonus scenes. 

I'm giving Ghostbusters Afterlife a 9.5.