Director:
Kevin Lina

Cast:
Amy Adams
Patrick Dempsey
James Marsden
Susan Sarandon

Official URL:

http://www.enchantedmovies.com

Country: USA
Rating: PG
Studio Name: Walt Disney Pictures
Running Time: 1 hr 47 mins
Release Date: November 27, 2007

Critics's Rating:
(4 out of 4 Reels) 

November 27, 2007

By Veronica Mixon

Once upon a time there was an evil Queen, who was afraid of losing her throne. So she pushed a girl down a well...

Enchanted is a spoof on fairy tale romance and it pokes fun at Disney’s current obsession with Princess movies. It’s part animation, part musical and very much a comedy. The film has the usual fairy tale trappings like non-existent mothers and/or evil step moms, ugly witches, poison apples, faithful CGI animal friends like the chipmunk Pip and a handsome ogre slaying Prince. And, then there is the dashing Prince, who in real time appears to very narcissistic and dumb. Director Kevin Lima manages to delight audiences while presenting material that’s also slightly subversive. Giselle played with sunny delight by the talented Amy Adams is certainly worth the price of admission. She takes over Central Park with a wonderful song and dance number, “That’s How You Know” and you feel this woman can do anything!

The film is also funny too. Watching Giselle wonder around Manhattan dressed in a huge old-fashion white wedding dress encountering cynical, busy folks who barely blink at her outfit, reminds us that we’ve got to slow down and smell the flowers. Naturally, Giselle meets a real-life romantic – a six year old little girl, Morgan (Rachel Covey) who’s being raised by her single, lawyer dad, Robert (Patrick Dempsey). Robert has been so disappointed by love in the past that spends his days negotiating divorces and stalling the romantic yearnings of his devoted girlfriend, Nancy (Idina Menzel). But, Giselle represents the fantasy that Morgan loves and her presence quickly alters the lives of father and daughter. The skeptical Robert begins to soften to Giselle because she brings him joy

There are also charming performances by Susan Sarandon as Queen Narissa, James Marsden as Prince Edward and Timothy Spall as her faith servant, Nathaniel. But, it’s the mixture of several key genres that makes this a smart, entertaining family film that is satisfying to all that makes Enchanted such a gem.

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