The movie "Spellbound," currently streaming on Netflix, takes us into the fantasy kingdom of Lumbria where the royal couple has been cursed. The previously rational King Solon (voiced by Javier Bardem) transforms into a blue, speechless beast with dog-like behavior. His wife, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman), also afflicted, turns into a puffing green dragon sporting pink feathers, gold horns and tiny wings.
This twisted tale unfolds through the perspective of their teen queen daughter, Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), grappling with her transformed parents' challenges, which might make anyone's grouses about rough parental relationships seem pale in comparison. The witty presentation of a teenager handling her parents who have literally turned into monsters also makes "Spellbound" an allegory for children facing drastic family changes.
This magical fable, the second feature from Skydance Animation, has a unique twist that is only revealed towards the end. With whimsical visuals, bubbly characters and a compelling musical score by Alan Menken, audiences might mistakenly think they are watching a Disney film. Moreover, the movie features a critical lesson for the contemporary youth audience more relevant than any previous princess movie.
Director Vicky Jenson, popular for co-directing "Shrek," beautifully blends a modern approach with veneration for the roots of animated storytelling. Further elevating the narrative are Menken's enchanting, Broadway-style songs. Princess Ellian's magical quest to revert the curse, and subsequent adventures with mystical Oracles, comical ministers, and an adorable pet, enhances the drama.
Devoid of a conventional villain, "Spellbound" opts for a sinister entity called "the Darkness," symbolizing a whirlpool of negative emotions threatening to engulf even an optimistic Ellian. The movie’s final twist emphasizes that teaching kids how to tackle unhappiness is more valuable than promising a cliché 'happily ever after,' articulating a poignant message on confronting drastic familial transformations.
