(courtesy IMP Awards)
SNAPSHOT
Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound also features an original score from EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) with lyrics written by Glenn Slater (Tangled). Spellbound is directed by American story artist / filmmaker Vicky Jenson, a co-director on Shrek and Shark Tale, plus director of the movie Post Grad previously, and episodes of the series Firsts & Our Own Devices most recently. The screenplay is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda. It’s produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, & Bruce Anderson; and made by Skydance Animation. (courtesy First Showing)
Animated movies that come loaded with whimsy and real emotional impact are my happy place, and bonus point if there’s a healthy dose of irreverent humour too.
Spellbound ticks all those boxes, and then some, and while it doesn’t appear to be Pixar-worthy on just the teaser trailer alone, it still looks meaningfully entertaining, colourful and cute.
And musical which is always a wonderful addition to any animated film, if the music, of course, is up to par but if Alan Menken is involved, then that’s pretty much a given.
So, here’s to magic and family and adventure and warm and cosy sense that everything will work out in the end …
Spellbound releases on Netflix on 22 November 2024.