Monday, December 8, 2008

Enchanted [2007] - DVD Review

Enchanted [2007]

Enchanted [2007]
Directed by Kevin Lima

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Average customer review:


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #30 in DVD
  • Released on: 2008-04-07
  • Rating: Parental Guidance
  • Format: PAL
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Running time: 103 minutes

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you’re looking for signs that the modern-day Disney has lost neither its touch nor its savvy nature, then there’s evidence in abundance in the smart modern-day fairy tale Enchanted. Bookended by the kind of old-style animation the studio is rightly famed for, the main, live action segment of the film finds Amy Adams’ Giselle--an archetypal Disney princess in pretty much every sense--dropped slap bang into the middle of modern day New York.

What follows is ingenious fun, as Giselle walks round very much as a fish out of water, followed quickly by James Marsden’s prince who attempts to come to the rescue. Thing is, modern day New York and old style princesses don’t really mix, and Enchanted studiously mines the comedy of the scenario, thanks to a smart and witty script.

What also lifts Enchanted though are the delightful tips of the hat to classics of Disney old. And we’re not just talking the show-stopping numbers: there are references to the likes of Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty to be found here, and a star-making performance from Adams powering the whole film forward.

One of the very best family movies of 2007, Enchanted does occasionally stumble through the odd twee moment (and it could really use a villain with more screen time than Susan Sarandon’s wicked stepmother gets), but that can’t hide the fact that it’s terrific fun, lavishly made and, at its best, quite brilliant. A modern day family classic, and great to see Disney once again delivering the kind of entertainment it excels at. --Simon Brew

Synopsis
With a fine cast and fun in-jokes, Disney's ENCHANTED is sure to cast a spell over both children and adults. It begins with a 2-D animation sequence reminiscent of the company's beloved past. Surrounded by dozens of cute animals, Giselle (voiced and later played by Amy Adams) sings about her desire to find her one true love. Meanwhile, a handsome prince (James Marsden) overhears her, and they meet and fall in love. In many Disney movies, this is where the story ends, but ENCHANTED is just starting out on its journey. The prince’s wicked stepmother (Susan Sarandon) can’t stand to lose her throne, so she pushes Giselle down a well, and the beauty ends up in the real world. Gone is the animated fantasy, and a live-action Giselle lands in the middle of Times Square in New York City. Her optimism and perkiness put her at odds with the New Yorkers she encounters, but she gets help from a cynical divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) as she waits for her prince to rescue her.


Fans of Disney classics from SLEEPING BEAUTY to BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be glad to see their favourite films referenced in ENCHANTED. Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID) makes a brief appearance, and the evil queen threatens to kill Giselle with a poisoned apple a la SNOW WHITE. Though it reminds the audience of past favourites, ENCHANTED boasts its own script that is at once intelligent and heartwarming. But the true highlight of the film is the acting by the fairy tale couple. Marsden (HAIRSPRAY) couldn’t be funnier as the charming prince, while Adams (an Oscar nominee for 2005’s JUNEBUG) gives dimension to the heroine. As a result, ENCHANTED is a film that deserves to sit on a shelf with Disney’s classics.


Customer Reviews

3 1/2 star for this one3
I give this movie a 3 1/2 star for this one, the first 10-15 minutes of animation are hardwork to watch but when characters become "real" the story picks up and was pleasant to watch.

Excellent film5
This film is great. It is a really good idea to start of as a cartoon then use real people in the real world.
I have watched it over and over and still love it and laugh and sing along.

Enchanting5
I appreciate a movie studio who can give the audience a knowing wink while poking copious amounts of fun at itself. Disney delivers!

The movie is both a parody of and a loving tribute to Disney movies. There's not a single dramatic convention or stereotype that doesn't get lampooned, yet the story has a lot of heart and you root for the characters. The songs are as fun as ever - kids will enjoy it as a basic fairytale, adults will laugh and smile as they recognise the clever jokes and references. Disney manage to bring an animated movie to the real world, as absurd as that is, but instead of falling flat on its face it shows us precisely why we have cartoons and the mirror they hold up for us - with a wink and a nudge!

The extras are also very enlightening; it's extremely impressive just how many Disney movies are slyly referenced as well as the more obvious overtones. The name of the restuarant comes from Lady and the Tramp, tap dancing grandads in the park also tap danced on the roof for Mary Poppins, the voices of some Disney princesses make cameos... you can go on, but at heart this is really just a classic Disney story. It's fun, frothy, it sparkles but it's also got heart and intelligence to it. It's a brilliant piece from people who clearly love and respect Disney movies while understanding what makes them tick.

Amy Adams and James Marsden are to be particularly commended for making cartoon characters human while never letting go of the fact that they are cartoon characters with all the conventions and silliness that goes along with it!