Encanto 4K UHD Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

Well this is colorful. As in, a lot colorful. Flowers, dress, houses, animals - Encanto doesn't stop showing off incredible saturation. It's not unusual for Disney animation, but Encanto is special even by those standards. It's an unstoppable deep color showcase that's among the best on the format to display sheer variety.

It's equally fierce through the HDR, glowing and shimmering as magical powers brighten the screen. Stunningly intense doorway lights match firework displays, fitted to an overall vivid contrast that rarely has an off moment, even during the darker, dramatic scenes. Of course the rich black levels help in that regard. Every shadow is flawless.

Add to this pinpoint sharpness that draws out every ounce of texture layered onto the animation and Encanto looks like pure magic in 4K. Almost certainly, this was rendered at full 4K given the fidelity, especially when it comes to wide shots that include forests, tile roofs, and various decorations. It's a lot to process, and the disc doesn't show a single sign of struggle. Marvelous.

Audio

There's energy in this Dolby Atmos track, vibrant when processing music via wide range. Vocals comfortably sit amid the instruments as a satisfying beat enters the low-end. Peppier action scenes suffer from Disney's usual clipping, holding back bass, if to a lesser extent than the studio's typical norms. A few booms hit pretty hard though (especially when Luisa uses her muscle to stomp stuff), so it's not a total loss, certainly better than Disney's batting average on the format.

Hearty directionality tracks animals as they bounce around the soundstage, high-level ambiance, or other activity. Atmos effects show up on occasions, and the music makes use of heights to better fill the whole soundstage. Mirabel's visions that see cracking walls track plaster falling overhead. It's splendid overall, and a near miss from being perfect.