Customer Reviews

Enchanted [Original Soundtrack]

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The genius of Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) is in tying in the songs to the storyline and therefore advancing the art of both. Not only is the score one of the best I've heard recently but the lyrics to the songs are well derived and help to keep the film's pace. The optimism embraced by the song 'Ever Ever After' that Mr. Menken wrote especially for Carrie Underwood is so very hopeful and charming.

The three musical set-pieces had the audience applauding at the end of each one of them. I'm giving this a 5 Star rating based on a critical listening of the entire CD and that's my 2 cents!

You will not be disappointed if you buy this.

Also note that the CD I received is an 'Enhanced' CD which happily contains as a bonus the 'Ever Ever After' music video that you may have viewed here on Amazon with the ever-lovely Carrie Underwood.

Enjoy!

It's been a long time since I've been to a movie and thought "I can't wait to hear the soundtrack again," but "Enchanted" was such a case. Alan Menken, as usual, has provided a terrifically evocative score, and the songs he's written with Stephen Schwartz are joyful, witty and oh-so tuneful. And they're a perfect compliment to the film itself, which is an absolute charmer. (Full disclosure: I worked on "Enchanted"; but trust me, you don't always love the films you work on.) Admittedly, the songs work better IN the film, accompanied by the gorgeous animation or spot-on performances by Amy Adams and James Marsden (or the clever pop-up sequence that runs over "Ever Ever After"); but this is a small qualification. I do suggest you see the film first, so you'll have a context in which to enjoy the score. But I bet that after you do, you'll buy the soundtrack.

The songs are great and before you know it you are singing along. The instrumentals are lovely as always. How the cd was put together is very dissappointing. Instead of the music telling the story of Enchanted as is done on both the Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid cds, the music for Enchanted was put on the cd in a divided fashion. On this cd, the music with lyrics are all first then all the instrumentals are next finishing with the single song "that's amore" sung by James Marsden. What a shame. When listening to a soundtrack the music ques in scenes and emotions without the visuals. Out of sequence, the music looses its flow and no longer tells the story. Also is the fact out of like 15 songs, only 6 have words. Again if the music followed the movie, this would not be so apparent. For children, it makes the instrumentals seem very very long after the fun of singing the songs.

I spent the day after Thanksgiving treating my 60 year old mother and 5 year old daughter to the movie "Enchanted." At its closing, all 3 of us walked out of the film singing "That's How You Know." And we kept on singing it throughout the weekend, so much that I gave in to my daughter's request for the soundtrack. We are big Carrie Underwood fans, however she's not the reason we fell in love with the tunes from the movie. Alan Menken is a genius...I give him credit because credit is due!What could have been contrived and cheesy is instead magical and dare I say it? OK, I will...it is enchanting! I was very surprised and pleased with the vocal talents of both Amy Adams (who is simply delightful on screen and on the soundtrack) and James Marsden. Not since "Beauty and the Beast" have I instantly fell in love with a Disney film score, and I have to confess that "Enchanted" ranks right up there on my personal list of all-time Disney faves!

It has been a long time since I've left the theater wanting to purchase the soundtrack for a movie that I've seen. "Enchanted" has a number of songs that will stay in your head (in a good way!) and have you humming them once you've heard them. Both Amy Adams (Giselle) and James Marsden (Prince Edward) do a wondeful job of singing the songs themselves; although music purists may scoff at some of Adams' phrasings, she gives a vocal performance that evokes the magic of past Disney princesses and overcomes any flaws that one could find with her voice. The CD presents the "hit" songs first, and then follows up with a number of underscoring pieces. "True Love's Kiss" and "Happy Working Song" owe more than a nod in spirit to "Snow White"; they definitely remind one of the type of song you'd expect to hear from a Disney animated movie. "That's How You Know" is more of a bridge song from the animated world to NYC's Central Park; with its calypso beat and huge chorus, the roving production number is something you'd expect from a Broadway Show (which I have heard is a possibility for this movie) and not an animated film. "So Close" is the love song/ballad of the movie, and signifies Giselle's full-blown transition into the modern world. In the context of the movie, the song is extremely moving as you watch the performances of Adams and Patrick Dempsey (Robert), but even on the CD, it is able to stand alone. "Ever Ever After" is the Carrie Underwood 100% pop music hit. This CD features the music video of the song, which also turns Carrie into an animated Disney character. Animated or live action, Underwood's wholesome beauty could qualify her as a Disney princess. Although on the soundtrack, the blaring beat of this song seems out of place, it fits perfectly when seen in the context of the movie. The rest of the soundtrack is enjoyable, and even more so for those who have seen the film. The underscoring for "Nathaniel and Pip" actually contains a few rifts from "Beauty and The Beast." The Enchanted Suite is a nice orchestral medley of favorites from the film and was used for the end titles/exit music. "That's Amore" is a pleasant remake of the Dean Martin classic, sung by James Marsden (Prince Edward), in the same hammy over-the-top cartoonish style of his character. Menken and Schwartz have crafted a memorable group of songs for this movie. If you are a fan of Disney movies or light & catchy hummable songs, this soundtrack is for you.

A very clever and witty quasi-musical with many nods and winks to Disney classics, all done with adult and kids in mind.

When I heard(a long time ago) Alan Menken was giving up the chance to compose the score of "The Princess and the Frog", Disney's long waited return to traditional animation, in order to make the music from "Enchanted·, I said to myself," I hope is worth it", and It was.
The delightfully flashy and extravagant songs are a perfect match for the already delightfully flashy and extravagant film.
From "True Love's Kiss" to "Ever Ever After", the Disney tributes are endless and Menken/Schwartz wit's just amazing.
It's a pity though, we haven't got the chance to hear the track "Enchanted", song by the hilarious Prince Edward(Marsden) and Nancy Tremaine(Idina Menzel and her gorgeous voice), a song that never make it to the film's final cut(I'm looking foward for the DVD).
A "must buy" for every Disney fan(myself among them)

Wauw what a great cd. As always great music by Alan Menken, but the true hit song on his record is So Close by Jon McLaughlin. What an amazing and beautifully written song. I have been listening to it for the 20th time today and haven't gotten sick of it. Truly beautiful. The song That's How You Know by Amy Adams is also a true Disney classic and is very fun and disney like. This album has all the magic a true disney soundtrack needs to have. I am not disappointed!!

I took my daughter and her friends to see this movie, and we all loved it. You know the songs are great when you can't get them out of your head. I was going to get my daughter the CD for Christmas, but broke down and bought it early because we both wanted to listen to the songs again right away! The three main "showtunes" are charming,witty, and beautifully sung by the next great musical star (why isn't she on Broadway?)Amy Adams. "True Love's Kiss" is a tuneful,gentle parody of Snow White, as is "Happy Working Song". Some of the clever lyrics to the latter made me laugh out loud. "That's How You Know" has an infectious joyousness to it that puts me into a good mood every time I hear it. The Carrie Underwood song "Ever After" is a good song, and the song "So Close" was an unexpectedly beautiful ballad sung by newcomer John McLaughlin. James Marsden has an amazing voice which is heard in a duet with Amy Adams, and in the song "That's Amore". The rest of the CD is instrumental background music, which I happen to enjoy, but I've noticed some reviewers are complaining about it. The thing is, that's the whole point of a soundtrack album - there's always going to be some of that included. In any case, I heartily recommend the CD - and, if you haven't seen the movie yet - what are you waiting for?! Go!

To be honest, the only reason I wanted to see "Enchanted" was because I loved Stephen Schwartz's musicals "Children of Eden" and "Wicked." The man is a brilliant lyricist, able to pack wit, emotional power and meaning all together in a few short lines.

My only disappointment is that he and Alan Menken only created three really memorable songs for "Enchanted." I think "That's How You Know" is the greatest musical number ever captured on film. My children and I have started the habit of playing "Happy Working Song" and seeing if we can quickly tidy up a room together before the song is over. "Ever, Ever After" really captured the message and made for a soaring ending to the film. But the other songs were not quite up to par with the rest. I know "True Love's Kiss" was meant to be cheesy, and it succeeded in that and nothing else. There was some other song, but I've entirely forgotten it. The score itself is enjoyable to listen to, but not quite as moving as, say, the score for "Little Mermaid."

I am most glad I bought the CD because now I have the little lyrics booklet so I can sing along with my favorites. It will also help tide me over until the DVD comes out.