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Skydance Animation's second film, Spellbound, updates family dynamics in a modern way, letting kids know that sometimes happily ever after doesn’t work out. Shrek director Vicky Jensen helms this refreshing but overlong story of a teenage girl trying to undo a spell on her parents that has turned them into literal monsters. The colourfully appealing but flat world of Lumbria makes way for a quest for the royal trio in this well-meaning musical.
Spellbound: Plot
Time is running out for 15-year-old Princess Ellian (voice of Rachel Zegler), as she must find a way to help her father King Solon (voice of Javier Bardem) and mother Queen Ellsmere (voice of Nicole Kidman). The teenager, who doesn’t want to become queen herself so soon, takes her parents on a daring quest to reverse the spell’s effects before her parents become monsters forever. Through the medium of music and magic, the family finds their way back to one another again.
Spellbound: Writing and Direction
The screenplay by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, and Julia Miranda introduces a welcome concept in children's stories, one that indicates that marriage requires work, and when it doesn't work out, it is okay to own up to it. Spellbound also shines a spotlight on the child affected by discord with their parents’ marriage, and it does so in a way that doesn’t undermine the child’s feelings. The kingdom of Lumbria hides many secrets, and one of them is that the monarchs become actual monsters when their marriage goes sour. The only detriment to this tale is that the setup and eventual execution of this important family tale become long-winding, especially due to the musical numbers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGQiq1ZuCW8
Spellbound: Design and Music
The world of Lumbria is a bit too generic, especially with its computer-generated backgrounds. It is colourful and vast but doesn’t invite you right in. It has the template of previous Disney and Pixar features, but it still feels like that. The music by Alan Menken is easy on the ears, but unlike Encanto's earworms, the situational songs don’t seem to be breaking out soon. They are ably sung by West Side Story's Zegler, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess and John Lithgow. Bardem and Kidman also join in for one number.
Spellbound: Voice Performances
Zegler leads this musical with both her vocals on the song and her poignant performance of a daughter who had to grow up too fast. In both the comedic and emotional scenes, the actress gives it her all. Bardem and Kidman have more to do in the second half, but there is much change in their voice performances. Lane, Burgess as the Oracles, and John Lithgow as Minister Bolinar are the other standouts from the voice cast.
Spellbound: Final Verdict
In Spellbound, magic allows the story to embrace some crazy scenarios. But it doesn’t mask the metaphor of monsters and what it could mean to a child feeling like they have to fix their parents’ relationship. For families who are experiencing change, this story could open the door. For parents of younger children, they will be happy to add a new animated feature into their rotation. But Spellbound has merit, and despite its stretched timing, it gets there in the end.