Spellbound movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Spellbound

This charming, new animation from Skydance Animation premieres exclusively on Netflix on November 22, 2024.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 49 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about Ellian, a tenacious princess who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents, the king and queen of Lumbria, into monsters.

The film was directed by Vicky Jenson. Vicky Jensen also cowrote the story with Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin. The director gave composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater for givint the movie its soul.

The directed stated, “Spellbound is about what it is that really makes a family. It speaks to kids and their parents and the kinds of alienation that can happen between them, as well as the steps we have to take toward each other, how we can weather it together, to come through to the other side with better understanding.”

THINGS I LIKED:

This definitely feels and looks like a Disney princess movie! That is, in large part, due to the team that has worked on Disney movies in the past.
The musical score by Alan Menken is very Disney-esque too and sweeping with emotion and triumph. This is his second animated film to not be from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The lyrics are all about relationships with some deep, complicated emotions. Some of the songs reminded me of the difficult, dark moments in Frozen 2.
John Lithgow is perfect. I love him in everything he does.
Rachel Zegler stars as the singing princess and has such a lovely voice. She sounds like a Disney Princess! She has been in the news a lot recently due to snarky and disrespectful things she said about Trump, as well as the troubled production of Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Because of it, she’s losing fans quickly.
The king and queen in the story are voiced by Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman. They both sing too!
Other cast members include Jenifer Lewis, John Oliver, Tituss Burgess, and Nathan Lane. They’re all fantastic.
The Royal Postmaster was hillarious with all of the bird poop all over his clothes and his long moments of silence to honor all of the pigeons who were petrified in the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness.
There are some beautiful details, such as when rain drops land on piano strings, leading into a lovely song.
The costume/clothing is unique, lovely, and whimsical with an Indian/Indonesian flair.
Absolutely gorgeous, rich colors, animal and nature design, and textures.
So many clever, creative ideas. Visually, the movie is a scrumptious feast.
Every kid is going to want a flink! Totally adorable.
I love the illustration of how being angry fills you with darkness and how being positive fills you with even more light. It’s absolutely true.
There’s a lot of humor, magic, and fun.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There’s a scene made just for parents where someone says, “Here’s Monster!”, referencing the movie The Shining, something kids definitely won’t pick up on.
Some of the lyrics aren’t ones that your kids will happily sing because the emotions are intense.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

A bird gets his petrified head torn off. Funny, but kind of a dark moment for a kid’s movie!
No profanity
People and creatures are in dangerous situations.
There are monsters but they’re very fuzzy and cute.
Some parents may not like that the two wise oracles are a gay couple.

THEMES:

Responsibility
Duty
Appreciating parents
Keep the light burning inside you
Dealing with your dark feelings
“Maybe any big change can soon feel small.” – song lyric sung by Bolinar
Anger
Divorce

FUNNY LINES:

“I thought you were being dramatic.” – Luno (Nathan Lane) “Why did you think that?” – Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler) “Because you’re a teenager.” – Luno (Nathan Lane)
“Why does everyone keep eating all of the important stuff?” – Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler)
“Why won’t she listen?” – Bolinar John Lithgow) “Because she’s a teenager!” – Nazara (Jenifer Lewis)
“Are we there yet?” – King Solon (Javier Bardem) “We just started!” – Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler)
“I see sky balls!” – King Solon talking about clouds (Javier Bardem)
“Butterflies!” – Princess Ellian “Butterflies? How can butter fly?” – King “Did you just make a Dad joke?” – Princess
“How do you make more money than me?” – Nazara (Jenifer Lewis)
“You can trust me…I’m a team player!” – Bolivar (John Lithgow)
“We’ve been outflinked.” – The General (Olga Merediz)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Princess, it’s never hopeless.” – Luno (Nathan Lane)
“Your parents are monsters because they’ve lost their light.” – Oracle (Tituss Burgess)
“Everyone has dark feelings. It’s how you deal with them that counts.” – Oracle (Tituss Burgess)
“The best thing about us is you.” – King & Queen
“Families don’t always grow in a straight line.” – Princess Ellian