Disney doesn’t usually have to try very hard to be the king of animation, regardless of what year or decade we’re in. Encanto slipped past my radar last year, maybe it’s the COVID-19 pandemic making trips to movies theaters less common. I saw that it was available on Disney+ recently and knew it was perfect for a family movie night.

The main character is Mirabel Madrigal, a young woman in the nation of Columbia. She was born into a very special family and their community is hidden from most of the country. This dates back to a civil war that caused so much violence across the countryside.

Her Abuela (Grandmother) Alma Madrigal escaped from her original home because of that political violence. When her husband is brutally murdered, she gets a magical candle that created a safe haven for her family and also bestows magical powers to them.

When Mirabel is old enough for a special unique power, the candle refuses her entirely. She grows up entirely normal and watches her baby cousin get his powers. But she notices that the candle is losing its strength and her home is crumbling. Can she save everyone?

Honestly, Encanto was a bit of a let down. The film doesn’t have a legitimate antagonist, and I always feel plots usually float slightly aimlessly without one. It’s a good movie and has a strong statement about the importance of family, but it’s certainly among the weakest of Disney’s recent films.

Score: B-