Overly charming, camp-filled fun

Rating: 8/10 (20 July 2008)

Bravo to Walt Disney Co. for having the guts and brains to make fun of itself and then go ahead and make lots of money off of it. This is a really fun comedy that combines both the magic of Disney pre-21st century with a 21st century sense of humor. It's also not too heavy on any one of the things it tries to be: it's not too musical-heavy, romance-heavy or joke- heavy--it really caters to all ages and both genders (though girls are more likely to appeal to it at first). This is one of the first things Disney has done in awhile (other than stay with Pixar) that deserves applause.
"Enchanted" is a live action/animated mix that attempts to show what happens when Disney's animated "happily ever after" world collides with modern-day "never happy" New York. It's a clever concept that unlocks a mostly fresh set of jokes to be made. Combine that with a few first-rate songs written by Disney master Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, the genius behind "Wicked," and you have something special.
Giselle is a typical "Disney Princess" from animated land Andalasia looking for her true love who is Prince Edward. The evil Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) of course wants them never to be happy and banishes Giselle to New York where she is played by Amy Adams. Edward (James Marsden) goes after her as does Narissa's squire Nathaniel (Timothy Spall) and a chipmunk named Pip. Giselle is discovered by a divorce attorney played by Patrick Dempsey who has some relationship issues of his own and both our way of life and Giselle's love-filled naive way of life clash.
Amy Adams is the far and away standout of the film, though Dempsey does do well as your pretty standard "i don't believe in fairy tales" kind of guy. Adams convinces you so easily she's from an animated world. Marsden does this well too, but Adams runs away with your affections. Her characterization never cracks and she beautifully shows us her character's inner transformation as she falls for Dempsey and subsequently our world. Her skill makes a pretty cheesy romantic-comedy plot seem special and different.
This is a really feel-good, fun story that even though it plays out like any fairytale formula, still works and doesn't turn you off to enjoying the end. It is a very clear-cut we learn how to believe in love more and the fairytale characters learn to be more realistic and that both can live in harmony...all that good stuff. It's just a really positive way to spend 100 minutes.