While most of the studio’s animated films tend to feature big adventures or epic quests, Disney’s latest, Encanto, feels like its most intimate. But like Frozen and Moana before it, the film still puts the familial bond at its core, and cares less about obvious tropes. At times, though, Encanto feels a little aimless, but ultimately a strong emotional center, catchy music from Lin Manuel Miranda, and beautifully detailed animation are enough to make this yet another hit for Disney animation.

In a family known for its magical powers, bestowed onto generations by a glowing candle, Mirabel (Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Stefanie Beatriz) is the normal one. At a ceremony that usually sees a member of the Madrigal family earning a special power (like incredible strength, the ability to shapeshift, or talk to animals), Mirabel’s door is literally closed right in front of her. For a few generations, the Madrigal family has used its gifts to build up a community within a secluded Columbian town, but as cracks start to form within the Madrigal home, their Casita, each member’s gift starts to disappear. And for Mirabel, the only way to save her home is by better understanding her family.

If nothing else, Encanto deserves recognition for trying something different. It may not always work – its humor and music are arguably its strongest qualities – but to see representation at this level is worth commending all the same. Family dynamics are fairly rote in animated films and while there is some of that in Encanto, it charts a unique path as well. Its women are never defined by their relationship with men, and it doesn’t present solutions to problems where the answer is simply “more magic.” There’s a great heart to Encanto that helps prop up some otherwise generic elements.

Narratively, Encanto feels like a film whose story has 6 different writing credits. The premise is perfect for a Disney animated feature, but it struggles to find the right beats to get viewers from point A to point B. An extraordinary family that needs to rely on its sole ordinary member to survive is a fairly standard trope, and the film isn’t filled with the same sense of surprise as some other Disney or Pixar movies. Some will find that intimacy comforting but it also means that the film doesn’t have great stakes and its overall journey rings a little hollow compared to some other Disney feature. It hits a lot of the same notes, but there are times when the film is a bit aimless. Luckily, it does get back on track for an emotional conclusion that should resonate with any audience.

Surprisingly, Encanto does seem to be less kid-friendly than some of Disney’s other films. Its message is a bit obfuscated – a byproduct of the meandering script – and the music isn’t nearly as catchy as Lin Manuel Miranda’s work on Moana. There are still some memorable tunes, but others fall a little flat. Much like Mirabel, Encanto feels pretty ordinary amidst the library of Disney animated features as of late. It’s still plenty enjoyable but it doesn’t reach the same highs as some of the studios other work.

Encanto is in theaters now.