Mae is a critic, entertainment writer, and Screen Rant's Reviews Editor.
We’ve come to expect a lot from animated films — heart, humor, and character growth that blossom into a moving and memorable story. Not every film rises to the occasion, but some are less forgettable than others simply because they aimed to do something a bit different. Spellbound, the Skydance Animation-produced Netflix film, touches upon the themes of family and the changing dynamics that could potentially make or break it.
✕ Remove Ads Spellbound Doesn't Dig Deeper Into The Complex Family Dynamics This Undermines The Heart Of The Story Close Ellian’s feelings are clear throughout; she’s hopeful her parents can be restored to their human selves, though Nazara and Bolinar are convinced they won’t and wish to make Ellian the new queen.
I thought a bit about Brave and how it set up the dynamic between Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor. This didn’t diminish the impact of Merida’s journey to turn her mother back into a human after being turned into a bear — it made it all the more effective. In Spellbound, Ellian has a clear mission and it’s one we understand, but instead of showcasing the tension between her parents from the start, we’re left with only a couple of scenes that allude to the big announcement before they make it.
Spellbound Has Its Charming Moments Javier Bardem’s King Solon Has One Of The Film’s Funniest Lines ✕ Remove Ads The lack of heart doesn’t mean Spellbound doesn’t have a couple of heartwarming moments. While they don’t happen until the film is almost over, Ellian’s reconciliation with her parents is lovely.
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