Spellbound: A Tale of Enchantment #

Princess Ellian of Lumbria faced a grave challenge when her parents were cursed during their journey through the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness. The royal couple was transformed into monstrous beings, left unable to communicate but amused by chew toys. Ellian, at just 15, took on their duties with the help of two ministers, keeping the transformation a secret from the kingdom.

Ellian believes the king and queen are still aware beneath their scales and feathers. In a world filled with fairy-tale elements and a mystical journey, she hopes to restore them to human form. The adventure includes wizardly comic relief and catchy songs. Lithgow’s performance as a character who switches bodies with Ellian’s pet offers a notable musical number.

Despite creative visuals and musical talent, the film’s appeal feels borrowed. Ellian’s ride on giant flying cats resembles scenes from other films, while the central theme of emotions manifesting physically recalls recent animations. The banter between the oracle characters yields expected humor.

The king and queen regain their voices towards the movie’s end, but the journey remains predictable. Even moments filled with adrenaline, like escaping over quicksand, cannot dispel the sense that the narrative prioritizes safety and familiarity over originality. “The Way It Was Before” encapsulates this sentiment.