Many times, in a critic's career, one must understand that certain movies are not made for you in mind. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to Kids Film. Spirit Untamed is a film made with the younger people in your life in mind. DreamWorks understood that while many claim to be family movie too often, they have very mature undertones. This is also a time where many are slowly considering returning to the theaters. What better way to get the audience to come than with a family film?

 Little girls will be the primary target demographic for this film. Spirit Untamed showcases a young Latina girl as the protagonist, with several equally feisty co-stars rounding out the female cast. With that in mind, the film has accomplished its goal. It contains everything that young girls enjoy, particularly adventure and horses.

It also has a clean storyline, in the sense that nothing is offensive. Many people may be disappointed that it lacks the impact of Disney's animation, but that is to be anticipated given Disney's head start. The focus of Spirit Untamed was on the tale rather than the animation.

It also has nothing in common with Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Spirit Riding Free was apparently a spin-off series, and now we have Spirit Untamed. The film is more in line with the the series. The new Spirit is designed to allow fans of the show a chance to shine on the big screen.

Spirit Untamed follows Lucky, a girl who, after living with her grandfather and aunt, is reunited with her father on the frontier. Lucky's mother had died, so they were raising her. Lucky, who is very much her mother's daughter, has a strong soul and immediately recognizes the young stallion when she arrives at her new home. Her mother was a show rider who died when she was young. She strikes an instant bond with the vibrant creature.

In her new home she meets some girls her age who share her passion for horses. Marsai Martin plays Pru Granger, while McKenna Grace plays Abigail Stone.

Many people who have watched the movie wonder why DreamWorks decided to release it in cinemas when it could have easily been streamed. The animation and story aren't groundbreaking, but adults aren't the intended audience. When was the last time a child told you that they didn't like a film because of the generic tale or animation?

One of the film's good aspects is that it contains a lot of diversity without seeming forced. I can count on one hand the number of times my Afro-Latina daughter has seen herself in an animated film. This may sound insignificant to some but witnessing a Latina or African American heroine will mean the world to many young girls, especially in a world that seeks to make us invisible.

The story is also not horrible. At the base of Spirit Untamed is a father and daughter who are hurting due to losing someone they loved and coping with how to move forward as a family. Death is a subject that isn't always handled well in Kid's movies, and Spirit Untamed addresses this without scaring young children.

The additional star power of Jack Gyllenhaal as Lucky's dad Jim Prescott, Juliann Moore as Aunt Cora, and Andre Braugher as Al Granger adds to the charm of the film. Isabela Merced, who previously enchanted us as, Dora, is endearing as Lucky. Get set to see a lot of Lucky costumes come Halloween.

Last let's applaud that DreamWorks trusted a woman Elaine Bogan to direct this film centering on young girls.

Spirit Untamed may not impress the adults, but it's sure to pack a big punch with girls. In a climate that is currently trying to silence them it’s nice to see them being celebrated on the big screen.