Mirabel is extraordinary, in that when it comes to her family, she is totally normal.

That鈥檚 the set-up for Disney鈥檚 absolutely charming new animated musical which flips the typical children鈥檚 movie script.

鈥淚 will stand on the side/When you shine,鈥� Mirabel sings to her special brothers and sisters, though she confesses, 鈥淚鈥檓 not fine.鈥�

It鈥檚 only appropriate that 鈥淓ncanto鈥� 鈥� fueled by eight original songs by 鈥淗amilton鈥� creator Lin-Manuel Miranda 鈥� 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. 鈥淕ift or no gift, I am just as special as the rest of my family,鈥� she says.

But soon not all is well for this family whose magic was built on tragedy. Cracks 鈥� literal 鈥� appear in their home鈥檚 foundations and their stern matriarch, Abuela Alma, worries quietly that their magic may be failing. It鈥檚 up to Mirabel to investigate what鈥檚 going on and save the family.

Directors Byron Howard, Jared Bush and Charise Castro Smith fill this tale with their own magic 鈥� 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, 鈥淭he Family Madrigal,鈥� which sets the table by introducing the extended clan, and creates 鈥淲aiting on a Miracle鈥� for Mirabel, our spunky, glasses-wearing heroine, who stops time to sing her plaintive tune.

He gives the rocking 鈥淲hat Else Can I Do?鈥� to a beautiful sister who makes flowers bloom but is secretly restless, and he gifts the super-strong sister the song 鈥淪urface/Pressure,鈥� which reveals the secret stresses she feels. And there鈥檚 the terrific, fun group tune 鈥淲e Don鈥檛 Talk About Bruno,鈥� about a family outcast. (Also listen to a little fun Miranda has with another Disney hit, 鈥淟et It Go鈥�).

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 Mirabel鈥檚 dress. There is also a panning shot of the Colombian community at dusk with its lights and candles blazing that is warm and welcoming.

鈥淓ncanto鈥� is a film about the pressure of living up to high expectations and the fear of revealing imperfections. It鈥檚 about outcasts and misfits in plain sight. 鈥淪ometime family weirdos get a bad rap,鈥� is one line. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e more than just your gift,鈥� 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.

鈥淓苍肠补苍迟辞,鈥� a Walt Disney Studio release, is rated PG-13 for 鈥渟ome thematic elements and mild peril.鈥� Running time: 99 minutes. Four stars out of four.

鈥擬ark Kennedy, The Associated Press