Fantasy-tic!

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2009)

Ironically, the beginning of the film, which is supposed to mimic the "glory days" of Disney animation pales compared to the true classics and points out how the most recent animation (one thinks immediately of Ariel in the Little Mermaid...who I hate for stealing my manly name! Heh-heh...by the style of the drawing is inferior to classics like Snow White, etc.). However, you quickly get into the movie. Just the "peeking" into the Disney castle icon's window is a hint that something special is going on, and the "pop-up book" animation and "live action" animation later (animals and special effects) all combine to make this a Disney classic to rank right up there with the best of them. it's sure to be a memory maker, especially since the song "True Love's Kiss" is of that classic style that will have you humming it after the film is over. (I noticed that this is no accident since I realized it is very similar to the opening bars of "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas", the lead-in that goes "Christmas future is far away, Christmas past is past;Christmas present is here today; Bringing joy that will last." It's seldom sung so the writers of the "True Love's Kiss" may not even have realized the similarities, but I caught it and you will too if you know the original "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" song. But the point is, the movie starts you off in a good mood and engages you. And those happy memories from Disney movies past continue throughout the film.
There is almost sense of disappointment when you think of the princess and prince not getting together in the end. But all ends happily ever after, as it would have to, though in unexpected ways. There is also a great message about needing to know the person you think you "love" before committing to them, even to the point of kissing. I think parents, especially of girls, will appreciate this. Of course there is the Disney-liberation theme of the female helping the male out along the way and tips of the hat to homosexuality, which frankly surprised me. It's a good-natured humor but still surprising from folks who have a high rate of homosexuality in their employees.
I must admit that even though the film is meant for children and women, men will get a chuckle or two out of it. And as I say the live-action animation is good enough to keep adults involved.
A very good family film that is not as heavy-handed in the liberal doctrine as most Disney movies have been lately. Watch it with your family and be reminded that the love you find with each other is no fantasy but has a magic all its own. The film is simply fantasy-tic.