Review 319: Enchanted
Giselle (Amy Adams) is an archetypal Disney princess who lives in Andalasia, an traditionally animated fairy tale world devoid of problems and where there are talking animals and happy endings.
When she is saved by the handsome Prince Edward (James Marsden), the agree to wed at once, however Giselle is intercepted by Edward's evil stepmother Narissa (Susan Sarandon) and sent to the real world, New York where she is taken into the care of a divorce lawyer named Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey).
Soon after Edward launches a rescue mission along with Giselle's chipmunk sidekick, Pip and Narissa's loyal servant Nathaniel (Timothy Spall) and must locate Giselle before it's too late. Meanwhile, Giselle starts to change her views on life and love the more she gets to know Robert.
The plot is fantastic. What makes it so fantastic is that it's a Disney movie but it makes fun of all the conventional Disney films and their cliches. It basically says "we've been doing all these cliches for 70 years, lets poke some fun at them, but it also honours them ("we've been doing all these cliches for 70 years lets celebrate them"). All this satire and celebratory works because the film doesn't preach and criticise all these cliches Disney has become known for, it smiles (metaphorically) at them and winks in the direction of them.
Sure the plot is predictable, but the predictability is part of the fun and the film is about how the story unfolds.
Also there many references to other Disney films sprinkled throughout, in terms of the characters actions, songs, characterisation and the cameos by actors who are associated with Disney.
Director Kevin Lima's direction is sharp and fun, the cinematography is wonderful, the effects are stunning, the score by Alan Menken is beautiful, the songs (True Loves Kiss, Happy Working Song, That's How You Know) by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are charming and creative, the animation is gorgeous, the musical numbers are incredible to watch, expertly staged and well choreographed, the production design is terrific, the costumes are outstanding, the character design is immaculate, the jokes and Disney references are well placed, it's well paced, the action scenes are exciting and the ending just puts a simile on face.
The acting is fantastic all round, Amy Adams is superb as Giselle, she beautifully encapsulates the lovely voice, the charm, the good heart and the warm good nature that suites the persona of a Disney Princess and never coming across as parodic. She is eternally optimistic, but also very independent and true to her convictions
To sum up her character, she is about 80% Snow White with some of traits from Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty with some of the spunkiness of Ariel thrown on top.
As she spends more time with Robert, she matures a great deal but retains innocence and optimism.
Patrick Dempsey is great as Robert, he's a cynical divorce attorney who has lost hope in true love and happily ever after, however when Giselle arrives and learns about life from him, he learns from her, she basically restores hope about true love to him. He essentially a modern day prince charming.
James Marsden is terrific as Prince Edward, he's narcissistic, funny, athletic, pure and simple minded yet good hearted. When he meets Giselle, he falls in love with her instantly, when he arrives in New York, he's completely confused which leads to some very funny moments in the film for instance him mistaking a TV in his hotel room for a magic mirror. He's like on of those classic Disney princes that every boy wants to be and every girl wants to kiss and he's very good at it.
I cannot think of anyone better to play a Disney villainess than Susan Sarandon as Narissa, she perfectly captures the cruel, selfish, evil nature thats required for the character. She outright hates Giselle and will stop at nothing to be rid of her, just how we like our Disney vileness'. Think of a mishmash of the traits of the Evil Queen from Snow White and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and you'll have a pretty good idea of what I'm on about.
Timothy Spall is great fun as Nathaniel, he's the typical loyal servant who just bumbles along which is mainly due to his infatuation with her and his own lack of self esteem. which gives us a few nice laughs.
Other actors in the film worth mentioning are Idina Menzel as Nancy Tremaine, Robert's fiancee and Rachel Covey as Morgan, Robert's daughter.
There are also some great cameo's from actors associated with Disney such Jodi Benson, Paige O'Hara, Judy Kuhn topped by a narration by Julie Andrews.
Enchanted is a hilarious and splendidly made film and fun for the whole family, 4/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
Comments
Post a Comment