Chase Hutchinson of The Wrap says Spellbound is plagued by flat animation and a story that never really takes flight or feels magical. This movie can’t emerge from the shadow cast by other, better animated films this year, the critic says:

At least, not until the end.Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek), this animated adventure about a young princess (voiced by West Side Story's Rachel Zegler) trying to free her parents from a spell is an unfortunately formulaic ride for its first two thirds.

Produced by Skydance Animation's John Lasseter and directed by 'Shrek' co-helmer Vicky Jenson, the musical follows a teenage princess trying to undo the curse that turned her parents into monsters.

The new Netflix animated film "Spellbound," follows Princess Ellian-- voiced by Rachel Zegler-- and her parents, the king and queen-- voiced by Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman-- who have been put under a spell that turned them into monsters.

I know Zegler can capital-S Sing (note: Bardem and Kidman, not so much), but Nathan effing Lane can capital-S Sing and be funny as hell at the same time. Memorable Dialogue: Best decontextualized line: “We’ve been out-Flinked!