Customer Reviews

Enchanted (Widescreen Edition)

5 star:		(295)
4 star:		(74)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

"Enchanted" (2007) has to be one of my favorite Disney movies in years; it is a return to the type of classic movies that were produced under Walt's supervision, but it also acknowledges the times we live in without being too negative. Right off the bat, I was amazed to be able to watch a film that had no profanity and other than the topic of divorce, hardly any adult situations. Of course, there is some 'wink-wink' adult humor that will go over the head of children, but even that is pretty tame. How refreshing to know that an excellent movie can be made without looking like the 10pm news or a tawdry reality show. PLENTY of fun references to vintage Disney films, and a number of cameos by some Disney favorites.

The film begins as a typical classic Disney animated film would; Julie Andrews narrates the story of Prince Edward (James Marsden) from Andalasia, who must find his true love to marry, and his evil stepmother Narissa (Susan Sarandon), who does not want to step down from her throne and will do whatever she can to thwart Edward's search. Enter Giselle (Amy Adams), a maiden of the forest with plenty of animal friends. She too is searching for her true love, and through song and fate, Edward & Giselle meet, fall in love, but are separated by Narissa, who sends Giselle out of the toon world and into the harsh reality of present day New York City. While Edward and Giselle attempt to reunite, a hardened divorce attorney, Robert (Patrick Dempsey) & his daughter attempt to help her along the way. Giselle's positive attitude and belief in true love has a profound effect on Robert, who has apparently been embittered by his own divorce (what actually happened to his first wife is somewhat nebulous, and basically left open for interpretation). Robert is already seeing someone; Nancy (Idina Menzel) is the romantic girl he has been dating for the last five years. No plot spoilers here; you will have to see how it all comes together.

This film rests on the able shoulders of Amy Adams; in the role of Princess Giselle, she could have easily done a parody of Snow White, Cinderella, and the other Disney Princesses. However, she brings warmth, charm, humor, and great emotion to her character; she is totally believeable. James Marsden again shows off his tremendous vocal talent, and as a toon Prince, he gives a letter perfect performance. Although he is a little one-dimensional at times, it works perfectly with the plot and how the movie progresses. Dempsey also does a wonderful job in his role, with just the right amount of bitterness; it is very apparent that he underneath he believes in romance but what happened with #1 has forced him to change. The only weak link in the cast is Sarandon, which is a shame. She is one of our finest actresses, and yet her characterization just misses the mark for me; she lacks the power and evil that we expect from a Disney Villain; in the climax of the film, she almost appears to be yawning through her part. It is the power and force of a Disney Villain that makes their "fall" so enjoyable; evil must be very evil for the triumph of good to be truly satisfying. Still, it hardly detracts from the overall product. The songs in this film will stay with you after you watch the movie...in a good way. Rarely have I immediately been overcome with the desire to purchase the soundtrack from a film in recent years. Overall, a definite 5 stars for this movie.

The DVD is a different story; although there are extras, it does seem like Disney skimped on them. The highlight is the behind-the-scenes look, "FANTASY COMES TO LIVE," at 3 sequences: "Happy Working Song," "That's How You Know," and the Ballroom finale sequence. Seeing the layering of the CGI effects and Amy Adams having to "act" to nothing ("Happy Working Song") gives an even greater appreciation of her talent. You will also learn that one of the dancers from "Mary Poppins" has a cameo in the "That's How You Know" number. There is also an "extra," PIP'S PREDICAMENT: A POP-UP ADVENTURE, that tells the tale of Pip's alerting Edward that Giselle was no longer in Andalasia. MAYBE very young children will find this amusing, but personally, it was a little on the lame side. There is also a "Hidden Mickey" that is basically a promotion for the Bluray version of "Enchanted." The deleted scenes are fun to watch, as is the blooper reel. Neither are very long though. The Carrie Underwood music video for "Ever Ever After" is also included.

I am sure (or at least I hope) there will be a 2-disc special edition in the near future. So, for this 2008 Widescreen edition, I give it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the lack of extras. The movie itself still packs a wallop!

This film is a delight from beginning to end. It really is a film the whole family can enjoy. My 11 year-old was "enchanted" by it, my 16 year old son was laughing hysterically, and my wife and I were never bored once.

This film falls into the "fractured fairly tale" genre much like The Princess Bride which is a difficult genre to produce successfully. To add to the difficulty level this film also tackles the switch over from cartoon world to the real one. "Enchanted" succeeds here as well. The cartoon world is a tribute in style to the old fashioned cartoons we all grew up with, but the comedy and approach of the cartoon component works and is in funny balance to the real world scenes.

Amazon and other reviewers have done a good job summarizing this film and with the traditional elements of most Disney classic cartoons, there isn't much I can add here, so here is my hits and misses approach:

The Misses:

(1) The ending goes a little over the top with effects and seems a bit out of place, although it's still fun and interesting.
(2) The songs are good, even above average in spots, but not nearly as good as prior Disney efforts.

The Hits:

(1) It's a great marriage of cartoon and real world storylines.
(2) The film nails the fractured fairy tale genre right on the head.
(3) The story is engaging no matter what your age is. My whole family truly loved this film.
(4) For the genre this film has terrific acted. Amy Adams is someone anyone one of us would want to marry (or adopt). Her role of the misplaced Princess in New York City is difficult to get a handle on without grating on one's nerve, but she manages to get us to love and adore her. Patrick Dempsey is simply perfect in his role and who would ever think that James (X-Men Trilogy Marsden could sing and act so lightheartedly. Of course, Susan Saradon as the evil witch is perfectly cast and she manages to not go over-the-top as Glenn Close did as Cruella DeVille in 101 Dalmatians. The supporting cast of both familiar and unfamiliar faces are wonderful in their roles. This film is perfectly cast and makes one wonder why there isn't an Oscar category for casting as the person who did it for this film would surely have won it.
(5) Good blend of cartoon, real world, and special effects (even if the end goes a bit wild).
(6) The humor in this film will have you on the floor laughing until your stomach hurts. I kid you not, this film is absolutely hysterical as it pokes gentle fun as Disney's more traditionally family films. Some humor is a bit contrived in a few spots, but many seem like ad libs too.

I can't speak enough good things about this film. This is one to treasure and watch with your family over and over again. I'm sure that I will always find something entertaining in this film even on my 100th viewing.

Respectfully Submitted,
Steve Hedge, May '08

***1/2

"Enchanted" is a fish-out-of-water tale that is also an homage to "Snow White," "Sleeping Beauty," "Mary Poppins," and countless other Disney classics that have come before it. Here, a fairy tale princess (Amy Adams) crosses over from the world of animation to the world of live-action, without losing her cheery disposition and otherworldly charm in the process.

On the day she is to be wed to her long-awaited Prince Charming, the beautiful Giselle is tossed out of the storybook kingdom of Analasia by a jealous evil queen (Susan Sarandon) who has no intention of letting some pretty little upstart usurp her throne. When Giselle finally finishes falling, she lands smack dab in the middle of a live-action Manhattan that is only a tad less immaculate and a shade less colorful than the cel-animated world she calls home. The plucky heroine is both dazzled and a bit confused by this strange looking world where the people don't seem quite as friendly or optimistic about life as the inhabitants of Analasia. Giselle is befriended by an unromantic, decidedly commitment-phobic divorce attorney (Patrick Dempsey) who doesn't know quite what to make of this odd, undoubtedly deranged creature who, when she isn't inspiring critters to help her tidy up the apartment or breaking out into full-throated, spontaneous song, is extolling the virtues of true love and declaring her undying faith in happily-ever-after endings.

Most of the fun of "Enchanted" lies in watching this almost impossibly cheerful, utterly imperturbable former cartoon character going up against the harsh realities of the real world (as harsh as the "real world" in any Disney film can be, that is), yet maintaining her sunny disposition throughout. The filmmakers have devised some spot-on parodies of the typical Disney musical number, replete with high-pitched warbling, a chorus of singing animals, and lyrics that reflect an unquenchable conviction that all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. At times, the idea of the film is better than its execution, opting, as it often does, for silliness and strained slapstick over sophistication and wit. And sometimes, even the concept itself falls flat, as when we are left to ponder whether these creatures, with their weird behavior and exotic garb, would really be all that out of place in Times Square. And, regrettably, the filmmakers couldn't resist throwing an utterly superfluous, CGI-generated dragon into the mix at the end.

Yet, for the most part, the movie is clever, bright and beguiling, and boasts a wonderfully ditzy performance by the lovely Miss Adams that brings the whole sugarcoated confection to life. The material many be stretched a bit beyond its breaking point, but "Enchanted" casts a spell over its audience anyway.

Giselle (Amy Adams) is your standard, run of the mill animated woman. Breaks out into song? Check. Carries on conversations with animals? Check. Dreaming of true love's kiss? Check.

Prince Edward of Andalasia (James Marsden) is also dreaming of finding his true love. At the orders of his evil step mother, the queen (Susan Sarandon), he is kept occupied chasing trolls. That is until one day when he overhears Giselle singing. Its love at first sight, and the two plan to wed the next day.

Step Mommie Dearest doesn't take this lying down, however. Disguising herself as an old hag, she pushes Giselle into a "magic wishing well" that will really destroy all her dreams by sending her to some place where dreams never come true - New York City.

Meanwhile, there's Robert (Patrick Dempsey). Robert is a single father living in New York City who is about to propose to his girlfriend of five years. A divorce lawyer, he is bitter and cynical.

When Giselle and Robert meet accidentally, Robert tries to get out of helping Giselle, but he can't seem to get rid of her. He can't decide what to make of this strange woman. And Giselle certainly doesn't get him or the real world.

But Prince Edward isn't taking the disappearance of his sweetheart lying down. He sets out through the magic well to find Giselle. As more and more fairytale characters keep coming to our world, what will happen? Will any of these characters ever be the same again?

This is such a unique film. It starts out with traditional 2-D animation. But as the fairytale characters enter New York, they become flesh and blood people. And that's when the spoofing really starts.

See, the characters expect the rules of their world to apply to ours. As a result, this movie does spoof certain Disney movie moments (and there are lots of references to those animated movies if you know what to look for). Yet the movie spoofs the genre in general more then any specific story, which makes things work well. In fact, one of my favorite moments was Giselle singing "Happy Little Working Song" as the animals in Central Park help her clean Robert's apartment. Yet this movie has its serious moments as it compares real life and fairytales. It never gets preachy and is very well done. The plot is fairly predictable, but it is a fairytale, so that's no surprise.

Robert and Giselle, as the two main characters, are the most developed. The others just aren't given any emotional development. And that's not a slight against the actors. Everyone does a great job. The animated characters are delicious over the top in our world, but it never gets annoying and works well. The animal characters usually look pretty realistic, but occasionally do look computer animated. Either way, it never really bothered me.

I wish I could stop here, but I can't. While this movie doesn't go overboard with them, there are a couple adult references thrown in. Yes, they are funny. But they aren't exactly subtle. They may lead to some questions after the film is over, so be forewarned.

Having said that, this is a movie that parents and kids can certainly enjoy together. It's got a great theme and plenty of laughs and action. This movie will entertain anyone who watches it.

It's Roger Rabbit in reverse!!! And yet, it also reminded me of Miracle On 34th St. with the magical figure visiting, and bringing new found love to a family without dreams. Amy Adams is the star of this movie, make no mistakes, but she receives alot of help from a very energetic supporting cast, and the random musical numbers only add spark to her wonderful thoughful performance.
I liked the fact that Prince Charming, played by James Marsden, appeared briefly on a big city bus, with the Superman logo clearly visible behind him on a billboard sign, of which James starred in Superman Returns. Accident? Whatever.
If you don't catch yourself imitating Amy, with her princess body language, than you are definitely a watcher in life.
There are four real princesses I could find in Amy. 1.)Snow White at the beginning, with getting the critters to round up. 2.) Aurora, with spinning in a penthouse office lobby rug. 3.) Cinderella, with losing her shoe towards the end. 4.) Ariel, for simply looking like her.
Susan Sarandon is extremely campy, with accent on Snow White's evil queen and transformed hag.
And the movie just moves with all these elements. Pop the popcorn, and enjoy.

Enchanted takes the concept of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series) by blending fantasy with reality. It starts as an old school animated fairy tale where Giselle meets her prince, but is soon vanquished to the real world by his evil step mother, where there are no happy endings, or are there?

Mothers watching this with their daughters will see a mix of classic fairytales from their childhoods such as Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition), Sleeping Beauty (Two-Disc Platinum Edition), and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition), with one song reminiscent ofThe Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition) and a touch of Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition), just the shopping part. Enchanted is sure to bring different generations of film goers together to share stories of their own.

While the film pays homage to these classics it manages to be original and give it's own twist to these tales by empowering women and showing them as being more independent, all while putting a modern day spin on the fairytales of old. The result was enchanting.

I mention moms and daughters but the film can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, that's just the scenario that came to mind.

Leave your cynicism outside the theater and enjoy "Enchanted," starring the talented Amy Adams. She is captivating as Giselle, the lovely, wholesome, and naïve young woman who is convinced that all she needs to make her life complete is her one true love. Alas, Prince Edward, aka "Prince Charming," has a rather unpleasant stepmother, Queen Narissa, played with raucous glee by Susan Sarandon. Narissa wants to thwart the lovers so that she can keep the throne for herself. She hatches a diabolical scheme in which she sends Giselle to a far-off place where innocent people are eaten for lunch--New York City.

"Enchanted" adheres to the conventions of the "fish out of water" genre, which was used successfully in such films as "Elf" and "Splash." Giselle emerges from a manhole wearing her tiara and an ornate wedding gown. Luckily for her, she runs into a kindhearted divorce lawyer, Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey), who is bewildered and bewitched by this strange creature. Besides having a ridiculously optimistic outlook on life and a sickeningly sweet disposition, Giselle has a way with animals (including rats, pigeons, and cockroaches--this is New York, after all) who help her clean house and run errands. Robert's daughter, Morgan, is soon smitten with Giselle; this sweet and pretty lady represents everything that a little girl dreams of in a mother. Robert's girlfriend, Nancy, who has a more down-to-earth and practical disposition than Giselle, is less than entranced by this interloper whom she senses may be a rival for Robert's affection.

The director, Kevin Lima, wisely encouraged his performers to play their parts straight, with nary a wink at the audience. Bill Kelly's witty screenplay pokes fun at such fairy tale clichés as the wicked stepmother with her arsenal of poisoned apples and the plastic, square-jawed prince gallantly wooing his fair damsel. Among the many amusing visuals: Giselle uses curtains and other fabrics that she finds in Robert's house to make cutesy, off-the-shoulder dresses; a chipmunk accompanies Giselle to New York and keeps popping up in odd locations to warn her of the danger that she's in; Giselle strolls in Central Park with Robert and everyone bursts out in merry song.

Amy Adams is adorable as she tries to adjust to an urban environment as well as the realities of modern romance. James Marsden is an appropriately vapid Prince Edward and Susan Sarandon camps it up as the vicious queen. The gorgeous Patrick Dempsey nicely evolves from a bitter realist to a man falling under the spell of a beautiful and soft-hearted woman. The music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are charming, and the animation is effectively eye-catching. "Enchanted" is great fun. Kids, take your parents!

Finally, a film that does exactly what it says on the tin. This is truly a fantastic film for all the family. The film begins as a traditional, beautiful Disney animation set in a wonderful fairytale world filled with Princes and Princesses, magic and giants.

After an unfortunate encounter with a giant, Giselle, a lovely young woman meets Prince Edward and in classic fairy tale fashion, the two fall in love and plan to marry the next day. However, Prince Edward's evil stepmother, Queen Narissa, has other ideas and plots to get rid of Giselle, thereby keeping her throne. The moment when she pushes Giselle into a massive magical pit is when the film makes its ingenious transition from animation to live action. Giselle ends up in New York City - as Narissa evilly puts it "A place where there are no happily ever afters" - and is lost and alone. She eventually runs into a lawyer played by Patrick Dempsey, and his young daughter who is especially taken with her. Eventually, Prince Edward also ventures to the city to find his true love and after this happens, anything goes.

Amy Adams' performance as Giselle, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy is a revelation. She shines in every scene that she is in with her wonderfully sweet and funny peformance, which has her singing at random and calling to her animal friends to help tidy up.

The film is an intelligent send up of classic Disney fairy tales as well as a genuinely heartwarming love story and exciting adventure. Children of all ages as well as adults will love this as it really has something for everyone. One of the best films of 2007, if not ever.

Not since the brilliant Howard Ashman and 'Aladdin' has Disney managed to create a perfect movie. Fifteen years later Ashman's partner Alan Menken has found a new lyricist equal to the task, in Stephen Schwartz. This wonderful movie is guaranteed to delight children, and there's plenty for adults as well. Everyone will respond to 'Happy Working Song', a hilarious and magical reworking of 'A Spoonful of Sugar', and also 'That's How You Know', the first fully-successful ensemble performance since, perhaps, 'Sound of Music'.
For me, the greatest thing about all great Disneys is the way they challenge people to think about moral questions, without ever being preachy. This film is firmly in that tradition. It focuses on the question of cynicism, plausibly placing a completely uncynical person into the cynical, worldly world of New York City. Her journey is from a girlish perception of love to a womanly appreciation including sexual attraction, but she never moves an inch in terms of cynicism, despite everything swirling around her. Rather, hers is the victory as, one after the other, the various people she meets get drawn towards her world-view.
The film explores a second theme, having a lot of fun with the idea of people of different paradigms coming together. The film explores this in terms of inclusiveness and understanding, even reaching across sexual stereotypes in the big ensemble number (starting with the idea of old people falling in love, and taking it from there).
Great entertainment for all. I hope that more adults look beyond prejudice and give this film the chance it deserves, to delight and enlighten. It bears many repeated viewings.

The best fantasy requires an overt amount of suspension of disbelief. An interesting premise is also helpful. "Enchanted" has many things about it that held my interest, and I welcome the efforts by all involved. Amy Adams is a delight, as is James Marsden, so removed from his usual "type". Aside from the obvious, there's more than a passing reference to "The Princess Bride". Patrick Dempsey is fine, and Rachel Covey (as the little girl, Morgan) is excellent. Timothy Spall is sufficiently nasty, and Susan Sarandon as the evil queen acts as if nothing could be more fun. Good songs and rousing musical numbers add to the enjoyment. A film this silly only works if all the players totally buy into the goings-on. They all succeed.