ENCHANTED
ENCHANTED: WILL PUT A SPELL ON THE KIDS
Enchanted is a sweet attempt to go back to what Disney’s does best but with a twist. Not since Who Framed Roger Rabbit? has this been done. But it’s also not half as clever. It is more for the kids than the adults. Its star Amy Adams has the damsel in distress routine down.
Gisele (Amy Adams) is set to marry Prince Edward (James Marsden) one day after meeting him. Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), the Prince’s stepmother, will have no such thing. When Gisele arrives at the castle the Queen takes her to a well and tells her to wish for her heart’s desire. When Gisele looks into the well, the Queen pushes her in. Gisele arrives in New York City. Not knowing where she is at, she tries to get help. Morgan Philip (Rachel Covey) spots Gisele on the top of a castle billboard, knocking on the castle door. Morgan convinces her dad Robert (Patrick Dempsey) to help her. Gisele proceeds to turn their world upside down. Meanwhile, Prince Edward and Gisele’s chipmunk Pip enter New York City to find Gisele. Queen Narissa sends her lackey Nathaniel (Timothy Spall) to take care of Gisele with a poisonous apple.
This is a different take on the classic princess Disney story. Some elements are cute. Gisele singing to bring birds, rats, and cockroaches to clean the Philip’s house is one example. But some elements are silly. Such as Gisele making a dress out of the Philip’s curtains. It has a predictable storyline. But it will please the kids. Amy Adams is adorable as Gisele. She glides when she walks. Her facial expressions are of pure innocence. Patrick Dempsey is there to support Adams, nothing more. James Marsden is funny as the clueless Prince Edward and Susan Sarandon captures the evil that becomes the villainous Queen. The animation will take you back to Snow White and Cinderella. The costumes are what you would expect. Queen Narissa takes herself to great heights with Herman Munster boots. And Central Park provides the perfect backdrop to the big musical number.
Even though the story is an original idea, it still falls short with predictability. Following previous Disney princess plotlines does not make it an instant classic.
Amy Adams and animation make this a slightly better than average film. It is a family friendly film.
Report Card:
Story-C-
Acting-B
Visuals-B+
Originality/Innovation-C
Enjoyability Grade–C+
Overall Grade-C+
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