Higher expectations have been placed on animated films and studios have definitely paid attention. We’ve seen phenomenal films this year like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot, but Skydance Animation has stepped into the animated feature brouhaha with something to say.
Arriving on Netflix just a day after the announcement of its Oscar eligibility, Spellbound is the breathtaking new film that follows a young princess named Ellian (Rachel Zegler) whose parents were mysteriously turned into monsters. Going to great lengths for secrecy’s sake, Ellian and her inner circle are stuck in finding a reversal to the curse as her parents’ absence begins to draw attention.
Directed by Vicky Jenson, Spellbound establishes itself as a feature-length force, proving that Skydance can hang with the big dogs. The story dares to go where no animated feature has gone before and to address such a sensitive subject takes skill. How it was addressed was subtle, yet powerful; easily digestible for a child, and straightforward enough for an adult.
King Solon (Javier Bardem) and Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman) are the rulers of Lumbria. After turning into monsters, Princess Ellian was left to handle all of the royal responsibilities. Along with Nazara (Jenifer Lewis) and Bolinar (John Lithgow), the Princess has to find a way to return her parents to normal before it’s too late.
The film is mesmerizing for several reasons. First, how closely Princess Ellian’s life mirrors that of a child who’s force-fed responsibility early in life. Just like the princess couldn’t celebrate her birthday party with her friends, many kids have to pass on what society would call “typical” teen activities for the sake of working, caring for siblings, etc. The princess shows all the maturity and handles her adult tasks with grace. John Lithgow is a never-ending source of laughter throughout the film as Bolinar. Whether doubtful of Ellian’s plans or whining about food, he loves the princess but stays cautiously optimistic about the mountainous task ahead. The diversity is a nice compliment to the unique story being told. A range of ethnicities are displayed, leadership is reflected in the Princess and The General (Olga Merediz), and the writers were creative enough to make a formidable tandem. Like Stadler and Waldorf or Timon & Pumbaa, Spellbound boasts the comedic talents of Luno (Nathan Lane) and Sunny (Tituss Burgess). One is hasty, the other is patient. One’s realistic, the other is dramatic. They were featured just enough for you to remember them but weren’t a constant presence throughout the film.
The epic soundtrack cements the film as a powerhouse feature. As if we needed more reasons to love Rachel Zegler, her voice envelopes the soul with each lyric to “The Way It Was Before“. Jenifer Lewis lends her voice to the soundtrack as well, serving a hearty helping of original songs to learn through the holiday. To create a fresh sound for a brand new film they tapped composer Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (lyrics) to get the job done. With titles like Beauty and the Beast and Tangled behind them, it’s no wonder the songs felt so magical.
Spellbound gets a 9.5 out of 10. The film was written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, and Julia Miranda. Even though the film reveals its plot revolves around a weighty subject, it’s not so serious that it dampers the viewing experience. It’s a fun-filled family adventure that lands on Netflix just in time for Thanksgiving.
Spellbound premieres on Netflix on Friday, Nov. 22.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Netflix
Genre: Animation
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1hr 46mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: November 22, 2024