Enchanted (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Adorable. This is the 1st word that comes to mind as I start my review of 'Enchanted', directed by Kevin Lima. This movie tells the story of a fairytale princess, Giselle (Amy Adams), who is thrust into modern-day Manhattan by the evil Queen Narissa of Andalasia (Susan Sarandon). After her arrival, Giselle begins to change her 2-dimensional views on life & love after meeting a 3-dimensional lawyer named Robert (Patrick Dempsey). 'Enchanted' celebrates the Disney movies of old by fusing nostalgia, parody, & even some self-effacing mockery. The blend of old-school animation, live-action comedy, & Amy Adams' impeccable performance as a gliding, beaming, princess-come-to-life makes for a truly charming movie-going experience. Disney magic is fully restored.
The movie opens in the animated world of Andalasia. Giselle lives deep in the forest, dreaming for her one true love to sweep her off her feet; this would be Prince Edward (the talented James Marsden). As in most Disney films, they meet, instantly fall in love, & of course ... plan to marry the next day. Well, Edward's stepmother - Queen Narissa - won't have it. Knowing her reign over the land would be over, she banishes Giselle to a land with no true love, NYC. Edward goes after her, so Narissa sends her cohort, Nathaniel (the always funny, accordingly animated actor, Timothy Spall) to thwart Edward's plan to retrieve Giselle.
Luckily for Giselle, she runs into a divorce attorney, Robert, & his 6 yr. old daughter, Morgan (a cute Rachel Covey). Morgan's mom is gone, & she loves princesses, so Giselle's presence is a real treat. Robert can't believe how naive Giselle is (little does he know that her ramblings about being rescued by a Prince are grounded in reality). Whether he believes if she's for real or not, he can't let her fend for herself in the middle of NYC. And so, for each moment that passes where Nathaniel is trying to trip-up the handsome (but excruciatingly dumb) Edward ... Giselle is learning more & more about life & love from Robert. Can Giselle's fairytale view of romance survive outside of Andalasia? Can Edward get to her before she falls out of love? What's up Queen Narissa's sleeve?
How everything unfolds is true movie magic. My good friend, Erica, stated to me last night, 'how is it that the concept of a movie like this hasn't been done before?' And she's so right. It's incredibly simple, yet brilliant, all the same. The best part is that it's executed so soundly. The homage to the old Disney classics (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc.) is wonderful. The tongue-in-cheek transition of animated characters into the 'real world' is hysterical (including a talking chipmunk who is bereft that he can't properly communicate with humans in NYC). The songs are joyous, the make-up is incredible (Sarandon's evil witch), the costumes are beautiful, the animation is masterful, & there’s a climactic ballroom dance that is just gloriously romantic.
'Enchanted' leaves no stone unturned: poisoned apples, fire-breathing dragons, magic mirrors, etc. But it is Amy Adams who really brings the film to life. She's just as perky, sweet, bubbly, & iconic as the Snow Whites, Sleeping Beauties, Belles, & Ariels of old. It is she who brings 'real' enchantment to the 'real' characters in the story (as evidenced in a fantastic musical number that takes place in Central Park). And while she excels at whimsy, Adams is also quite affecting when we see her contemplative transformation from a cartoon character mindset, into a young lady who actually feels emotion. Hers is the kind of performance where after the credits roll, you turn to the person next to you, wince your nose & say 'aww, I just love her'. Whether you're 10 yrs. old or 100, here's a film that starts with 'Once Upon a Time', and ends with '...and they all lived Happily Ever After' that you won't want to miss.
The movie opens in the animated world of Andalasia. Giselle lives deep in the forest, dreaming for her one true love to sweep her off her feet; this would be Prince Edward (the talented James Marsden). As in most Disney films, they meet, instantly fall in love, & of course ... plan to marry the next day. Well, Edward's stepmother - Queen Narissa - won't have it. Knowing her reign over the land would be over, she banishes Giselle to a land with no true love, NYC. Edward goes after her, so Narissa sends her cohort, Nathaniel (the always funny, accordingly animated actor, Timothy Spall) to thwart Edward's plan to retrieve Giselle.
Luckily for Giselle, she runs into a divorce attorney, Robert, & his 6 yr. old daughter, Morgan (a cute Rachel Covey). Morgan's mom is gone, & she loves princesses, so Giselle's presence is a real treat. Robert can't believe how naive Giselle is (little does he know that her ramblings about being rescued by a Prince are grounded in reality). Whether he believes if she's for real or not, he can't let her fend for herself in the middle of NYC. And so, for each moment that passes where Nathaniel is trying to trip-up the handsome (but excruciatingly dumb) Edward ... Giselle is learning more & more about life & love from Robert. Can Giselle's fairytale view of romance survive outside of Andalasia? Can Edward get to her before she falls out of love? What's up Queen Narissa's sleeve?
How everything unfolds is true movie magic. My good friend, Erica, stated to me last night, 'how is it that the concept of a movie like this hasn't been done before?' And she's so right. It's incredibly simple, yet brilliant, all the same. The best part is that it's executed so soundly. The homage to the old Disney classics (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc.) is wonderful. The tongue-in-cheek transition of animated characters into the 'real world' is hysterical (including a talking chipmunk who is bereft that he can't properly communicate with humans in NYC). The songs are joyous, the make-up is incredible (Sarandon's evil witch), the costumes are beautiful, the animation is masterful, & there’s a climactic ballroom dance that is just gloriously romantic.
'Enchanted' leaves no stone unturned: poisoned apples, fire-breathing dragons, magic mirrors, etc. But it is Amy Adams who really brings the film to life. She's just as perky, sweet, bubbly, & iconic as the Snow Whites, Sleeping Beauties, Belles, & Ariels of old. It is she who brings 'real' enchantment to the 'real' characters in the story (as evidenced in a fantastic musical number that takes place in Central Park). And while she excels at whimsy, Adams is also quite affecting when we see her contemplative transformation from a cartoon character mindset, into a young lady who actually feels emotion. Hers is the kind of performance where after the credits roll, you turn to the person next to you, wince your nose & say 'aww, I just love her'. Whether you're 10 yrs. old or 100, here's a film that starts with 'Once Upon a Time', and ends with '...and they all lived Happily Ever After' that you won't want to miss.