This is only the second film from Skydance Animation, a studio founded in 2017 by Skydance Media with the firm intention of standing out alongside legendary teams such as Pixar, Disney Animation and Dreamworks. After a film on Apple TV+, called Luck and not having benefited from sufficient visibility, it is on Netflix that the American company invites itself. She didn't do things by halves since she enlisted the services of Vicky Jenson to bring her family adventure tinged with fantasy to fruition. The director counts the birth of the saga Shrek among these numerous feats of arms, she had worked on the first adventures of the green ogre alongside Andrew Adamson in 2001. This time, no Fort Fort Lointain, swamps and dragons, it will be about to follow a little girl affected by a sneaky curse.
What is it about?
For a year, Ellian's parents have become monsters. The new condition of the King and Queen of Umbria is hidden from the people, but the Kingdom cannot remain without true leaders much longer. At just 15 years old, Ellian could be propelled to the throne much faster than expected. But first, she begins a last-chance journey in search of a cure. Alongside her monstrous parents, the teenager will discover that family life is never a long, quiet river.
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Our opinion
To say that we were waiting for this new production is an understatement. Vicky Jenson participated in the creation of one of the most exciting animation universes of the beginning of the century, seeing her explore new horizons was something to rejoice in. Mixing fantasy and initiatory quest, Ellian and the Spell had managed to pique the curiosity of spectators through its trailer. Her colorful, vibrant and rich universe promised to be a success. This feeling is confirmed upon discovery of the footage which does not lack charm and inventiveness.
In the destroyed interiors of a castle, mistreated by its less than docile sovereigns, in the recesses of a dangerous forest, Ellian and the Spell benefits from the meticulous work of the entertainment teams. The movie plays with textures, light and colors to make the kingdom of Umbria come alive. The magic of the animated film is in its details. This is particularly true regarding the fantastic characters who punctuate the story, when we see the heart of a rodent beating at full speed in a tight shot or when the film lingers on the colorful fur of the monsters which accompany the heroin. For the design of humans on the other hand, it is not not the same creativity which seems to have been driving force. From her oversized eyes to her features, Ellian could just as easily be from the Disney stable. It lacks a little character to fully seduce us, to give Skydance Animation an opportunity to prove its singularity.
A story that has charm, but lacks heart
In addition to this already rather engaging visual copy, Ellian and the Spell surprises with its narrative choices. After a somewhat long start, the time for the screenwriters to lay the foundations of this adventure, the film turns out to be an effective initiatory story… but which sometimes stays too on point. The film materializes the ravages of anger and resentment through a scene in a magical tunnel, but is content with this short sequence before moving towards other issues. We would undoubtedly have preferred that the story dwell a little more on the relationships of this damaged family, with certain elements not taking advantage of the necessary space to flourish. Even the music composed by Alan Menken fails to add depth to this lively proposition. It remains thatEllian and the Spell find a little light in a moving conclusion.
Ellian and the Spell does not have the charm and devastating humor of Shrekbut imposes itself as pleasant family entertainment. Skydance Animation's production is still a little green, its catalog must mature to truly emancipate itself from a genre formatted by Mickey for a century now. We also find here one of the markers of the last Disney years, a very cute sidekick, sung propositions which lack panache and a propensity not to go there frankly in the exploration of the themes addressed. Ellian and the Spell would have had everything to gain from being more frank in his desire to illustrate momentous events in the transition to adulthood. Without saying too much, Rebel was more successful in the field. This new film could almost have captivated us in the same way.
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