Encanto Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

4. The Refreshing Lack Of A Villain

So firmly regimented are the conventions of the Disney movie formula that it's a genuine surprise that Encanto doesn't actually have a central villain to speak of.

A film less confident in its vision would have made quirky uncle Bruno the surprise baddie or thrown some mysterious supernatural evil into the mix in the third act, but mercifully neither ends up happening.

That's because Encanto isn't a film about vanquishing a foe - it's a film about learning from a traumatic past and opening your heart to embrace differences.

As such, despite lacking an outright antagonist Encanto isn't a film that wants for conflict, as all that dramatic friction is contained within a family unit whose differing perspectives are completely understandable, if not relatable.

Honestly, it'd be great to see more Disney movies go this route in the future, because an emotional internal conflict free of silly magical fights and convoluted misunderstandings can be so, so much more satisfying.