Spirit Untamed

As of the Memorial Day weekend the summer movie season has landed with the crowd pleaser, "A Quiet Place Part II", and with that release, Hollywood will continue to roll out its summer fare. "Spirit Untamed" is the first animated film to kick off this season, and it is as heartwarming as it is entertaining.

After moving to a sleepy town called Maridera, Lucy Prescott (Isabela Merced) befriends locals, Pru Granger (Marsai Martin) and Abigail Stone (Mckenna Grace) and ultimately befriends a wild mustang named Spirit, who shares her rebellious spirit. When a heartless wrangler, Hendricks (Walter Goggins) and his henchman plans to capture Spirit and his herd, Lucy, her new friends and her father, Jim (Jake Gyllenhaal) embark on the adventure of a lifetime to rescue the horse that forever changed her life. 

Others to round out the cast are Julianne Moore as Aunt Cora, Eiza Gonzalez as Milagro Navarro, Lucy's mother, Andre Braugher as Al Granger, Pru's father, Lucian Perez as Snips Stone, Abigail's brother, Gary A. Hecker as Horse vocals and Ralph DeSeve as Spirit. 

This was directed by a virtual newcomer to feature films, Elaine Bogan (TV and a video short) and co-directed by Ennio Torresan ("Until Sbornia Takes Us Apart" (co-dir.) '13) plus TV and shorts. Considering that neither director has little to no experience in the feature film realm is impressive since this was directed with such fluidity. The well developed characters simply came to life as the story unfolded before the audience's eyes. It was well delineated by writer Aury Wallington ("Christmas Cupid" (TV movie) '10, "Nearlyweds" (TV movie) '13, "Jinxed" (TV movie) '13, "Royally Ever After" (TV movie) '18, "Spirit Riding Free: Riding Along Adventure" (TV movie) '20), and Kristin Hahn ("Anthem" (documentary) '97, "Dumplin'" '18, "Stargirl" '20), based on the series developed by Aury Wallington. This was a very heartwarming film about legacies, bonding, love, and friendship where, through many characters, but especially between Lucy and Spirit, the true bonds of friendship shines through. Even though this was a bit predictable, the story between family, friends and this horse is something we can all learn from. Other than a few places of inconsistencies in script, this story was amazing. The animation by Dreamworks Animation was articulated with warmth and expertise, and are every bit as talented as Disney. 

With a year plus that all has gone through, this heartwarming story is just what the doctor ordered, fraught with all the elements that endear us, not only toward one another, but should bring families that much closer. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                            Rated: PG                                                     87mins.