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‘Spirit Untamed’ Review – A Spirited Adventure That Speaks Directly To Young Girls

By Dom Fisher
June 4, 2021
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Synopsis:

An epic adventure about a headstrong girl longing for a place to belong who discovers a kindred spirit when her life intersects with a wild horse, Spirit Untamed is the next chapter in the beloved story from DreamWorks Animation.

Anything is possible, you can do anything, and other similar phrases are force-fed to us at a young age, but is it sincere? Now that we are adults, most of us would say no, as we are then conditioned to be worker-bees. But that rebellious spirit lives in all of us waiting to be pointed in the right direction. Those who embrace it and overcome the fear, oftentimes reap the rewards. Because we tend to forget, we really can do anything.

“… we can do anything.”

Grab your kids and tell them to saddle up, a new quest is on the horizon. DreamWorks Spirit Untamed is a spirited adventure that speaks directly to young girls. This new addition to the Spirit franchise is the first animated film in a while that is primarily speaking to the age group that is featured in the film. It’s not riddled with adult humor to keep the attention of adults nor do the adults play a pivotal role in the story. Nevertheless, the adults aren’t written as buffoons but rather voices of reason as times. The film is for kids and about kids. Now, that’s not to say that adults won’t enjoy it, but just know that if you can legally drive, they’re not talking to you. The film reminds me of some of the stories that I grew up watching in the 90s. A somewhat treacherous children-led journey that leads to self-discovery and lasting friendships. The messaging is positive, reminding young girls that they can do anything and overcome difficult obstacles despite what others tell them. The themes of family are there for kids but also a reminder for adults. The animation is crisp and vibrant and the score is light and uplifting. The story is simple and easy to follow and makes its points very clear. If your kids loved the Netflix series, they will love this film. Its rewatchability is low for me but will be high for the kiddos.

Plot & Pace

When the rebellious free spirit, Lucky ruins her grandfather’s political event, she is told she has to spend the summer with her estranged father. Traveling by train with her aunt to get there, the two arrive in a small rustic town that is the polar opposite of where they just left. Not knowing how much she resembles her beloved mother who passed away when she was a baby, Lucky is immediately warmly welcomed by all the residents of the town. Quickly making friends with some local girls and learning of her mother’s legacy, Lucky soon falls in love with the same things her mother did, horses. When a group of outlaws attempts to aggressively capture a wild herd of horses that Lucky and her new friends want to protect, it is up to the girls to stop them. With the help of her new horse-friend, Spirit, the girls go on a dangerous journey to save the herd and conquer fears.

The film moves at a pretty fast and steady pace. You have to keep maintain that short attention span.

(from left) Abigail Stone (Mckenna Grace) riding Boomerang, Lucky Prescott (Isabela Merced) riding Spirit and Pru Granger (Marsai Martin) riding Chica Linda in DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed, directed by Elaine Bogan.

Characters & Chemistry

I enjoyed that the cast felt genuine in their roles. The way the characters were written really stands out because the kids were written as kids and not over articulate to appeal to adults. The standouts are clearly Isabela Merced as Lucky, Mckenna Grace as Abigail and Marsai Martin as Pru. The chemistry they were able to create results in a fun inclusive trio.

Spirit Untamed releases in theaters on June 4, 2921. Stay safe and enjoy.