Movie Review for Enchanted

Enchanting

by Philbert Ortiz Dy
posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 in Movie Reviews

Enchanted is a great reminder of what Disney can be, and what they used to be. This film recaptures that indefinable magical quality that warmed our tiny little hearts when we watched Sleeping Beauty or Snow White for the first time, and tugged at our heartstrings again when we watched them as adults. It’s perfect family fare.

Enchanted is the story of Giselle, a princess straight out from a Disney animated feature. She sings songs and is followed around by a bunch of forest animals. Before marrying her Prince Charming, the evil queen throws her down a well, and she ends up in our world, in New York City. She meets a cynical lawyer who tries to help her find her way home. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story, mixed with some old-school Disney fairytale storytelling. There aren’t any real surprises for anyone who’s ever seen a Disney picture, but that’s completely okay. We all knew how Cinderella was going to turn out anyway.

It’s all about how it’s told, and here, Enchanted shines. This movie could’ve easily devolved into the Scary Movie of fairytale films; just poking fun at the strange things that happen in those classic Disney films. But the film goes and takes an extra step and commits to its conceit. It’s obvious that the filmmakers had a real love for the classic cartoons, and they embrace it fully. Fans of Disney will have a lot of fun in the theater picking up all the references the filmmakers stuck in. It really plays out like a love letter to those old cartoons, an elegy for simpler, happier times. The result is a spectacle of joy that hasn’t really been seen since the 80’s made everyone kind of jaded.

It’s old Hollywood, really. It’s the old mentality that movies need to be fun and loud and colorful and wonderful. There is a musical number in the middle of this film that is just so ludicrously exuberant and elaborate that one can’t help but smile. Some people might find it “corny” or “cheesy,” but to these people I say, “Lighten up.” We need this kind of cinema every now and then.

The performances in the film are outstanding, if only for the incredible enthusiasm each actor brought to his or her role. Amy Adams is an absolute joy to watch. Her commitment to the role is exemplary, and she really brings the Disney princess to life. James Marsden is cast perfectly as her Prince, and Susan Sarandon pretty much steals every scene she’s in.

It’s really easy to recommend this movie to anyone. It’s great for the entire family, and even the most jaded moviegoer might crack a smile every now and then. And that’s all we really need sometimes.

My Rating:
Do you agree with this rating? Submit your own.
Read User Reviews

I'm looking for Enchanted.