The 60th Disney animated film was released today over the Thanksgiving holiday. The film Encanto featured a Latino presence and a cultural perspective that is unlike any other Disney property. That is a great step in the right direction.

Thing is… I just did not connect with this film. I found it kind of boring.

From Rotten Tomatoes: “The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.”

Of course, the animation is beautifully rendered and the music from Lin Manuel-Miranda is very catchy and engaging. These two layers of filmmaking is not something that Disney fails at often. Still, I found the story itself to be wanting.

Perhaps it was the introduction of all of these characters that took me out of the film initially, although that did not bother me in Eternals. I had more knowledge of Eternals than I did with this whole new group of characters so perhaps that is part of it. I did not find the hook of the story behind the Madrigals to be engrossing enough to maintain my attention. I found myself checking the time a couple of moments during Encanto.

Since Encanto did not grab my attention immediately, maybe I missed too much of the first act specifics that would have maintained my interest. Maybe this is a film that I should give a second chance to when it arrives eventually on Disney + because, usually, this is a type of film that would be right up my alley.

I am very pleased that the Latino community is receiving the attention of this film which is sadly too late in coming. Hopefully there will be even more diversity in Disney animation moving forward. Unfortunately, I just did not get into this film.

2.8 stars