If Bee Movie’s laughs or Mr. Magorium’s wonderment didn’t quite cut it in the animation and fantasy realm, give Enchanted a try. This is the must-see family movie of the fall season that’s sure to entertain kids as well as adults.
The film begins in every-color-of-the-rainbow animation. Evil Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) schemes to rule the fantastical land of Andalasia forever…and ever, which means she’s got to thwart her stepson, Prince Edward (James Marsden) from marrying Princess Giselle (Amy Adams). Minutes before the wedding, she sends Giselle to real-world New York, the one place where “there are no happily ever afters.” While waiting for her prince to rescue her, we find out how Giselle’s sheltered life holds up against the flawed real world.
By throwing in just about every fairy-tale cliché imaginable, Disney creates a brilliant spoof that will remind adults of the classics they watched as a kid: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Mary Poppins to name a few. Kids, on the other hand, will see its cuddly critters, songs and silliness as pure fun.
The musical sequences, for example, are delightfully amusing. When Giselle decides to tidy up a filthy apartment, she musically beckons her animal friends to help. Instead of bunnies and bluebirds, however, a bunch of pigeons (including a one-legged limper), rats and flying cockroaches show up. Bordering on repulsive, it’s so absurd you can’t help but find it humorous. Another number that takes place in Central Park makes use of dozens of people in a choreographed dance sequence, the old-fashioned kind like Newsies that we just don’t see anymore.
Makeup and costumes are impressive, especially Susan Sarandon’s evil queen and hag ensemble. One scene with a quick cut to a close-up of the hag’s sagging face and missing teeth is quite startling…but not scary enough to refuse her offered poison apple.
Besides the storyline, Enchanted’s Amy Adams carries the film. Adams, who was virtually unknown until now, plays the perfect princess. From the way she prances about and breaks out in song, to the way she innocently bursts into tears at the slightest mention of a broken heart, her unbridled enthusiasm convincingly makes you believe she tumbled out of a fairytale book. She’s got a great singing voice, too.
Speaking of great voices, James Marsden (who’s already proved he can sing in Hairspray) fittingly portrays the dashing prince. It’s not surprising since Marsden has a knack for playing the handsome, goody two-shoes who never quite ends up “happily ever after” with the girl (Superman Returns, X-Men, The Notebook). As it turns out, Enchanted’s got what it takes to create happy endings for all, including kids and adults alike.
