Film Review – Spellbound (2024)

“Spellbound” marks the return of director Vicky Jenson to animated entertainment, previously collaborating on 2004’s “Shark Tale” and 2001’s “Shrek,” helping to launch a franchise that endures in popularity to this day. She struck out with her lone live-action endeavor (2009’s “Post Grad”), putting her back on course for new fairy tale-style escapism in her latest, and she’s not taking any chances, even recruiting Alan Menken, one of the musical forces behind “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin,” to provide songs for the adventure. “Spellbound” sticks to the family film playbook for the most part, dealing with creatures, magic, and big feelings, but Jenson offers a vivid journey through such routine. Animation is accomplished and songs are plentiful here, giving the picture needed boosts of creativity. And when all else fails the feature, there’s John Lithgow voicing a mouse-like creature in panic mode. That’s more fun than most movies offer. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com