Disney references its past (in a good way this time), with a kids' movie that feels like the Disney of old...
Giselle (Amy Adams) lives in an animated fairytale land. Blessed with a sunny disposition, and an uncanny ability to talk to animals, she waits eagerly for her true love to come along. This dream comes true when the dashing Prince Edward (Marsden) hears her singing, and the pair instantly fall for each other. However, the Prince’s evil step mother (Sarandon) does not want to give up her power, and so pushes Giselle down an enchanted well. Giselle falls into modern day, un-animated New York. Lost and afraid, she falls into the arms (literally) of single parent Robert (Dempsey, aka ‘the bloke from Grey’s Anatomy’). He agrees to help Giselle find home, but with bumbling Prince Edward looking in all the wrong places, and the evil queen determined to keep her in New York, that may be easier said than done.
Princess Charming
On paper, “Enchanted” sounds like the worst kind of high-concept holiday junk, and it would be if it were not for the house of mouse’s involvement. The fact that it’s a Disney movie means it can pay an authentic homage to the cartoons of old (think “Cinderella”, “Snow White” et al), and whilst it’s far from something like “Shrek”, the finished product is a lot better than you would think.
Yes, the story is daft, (although don’t knock it- Tom Hanks made his name on daft stories in the 80’s), and it is through-and-through a kid’s film, but the strength of the cast combined with a reasonably witty script (Timothy Spall’s put- upon henchman calling a relationship hotline is a particular high point) means that you’ll like this a lot more than you’d dare admit.
Adams’ Family Values
Adams is suitably naïve as the fish-out-of water Giselle. The routine clashes well with Dempsey’s straight-laced lawyer, and it’s that jarring that stops Adams from becoming annoying. Dempsey himself veers from interesting to a bit twee, clearly using this to stake his claim as a movie leading man. The supporting players are what makes the film something different- Sarandon is to the manor born as the archetypal wicked step mother (if there was ever a live action “Snow White”, she’s your woman), and Marsden reveals a comedy bone we never knew he had as the egotistical Prince Edward.
All in all, a film that young kids will adore, and adult Disney fans will crack a grin at the affectionate Disney references. There’s little here to keep an adult interested, but if you just can’t face another computer animated talking animal, this may be your best bet for the kids this Easter.
