The concept of a Disney movie that makes fun of Disney movies but still ends like a Disney movie is dripping with irony.
But that is what makes "Enchanted," a mixed animated/live action film straight out of the old-school Disney tradition, so much fun. If you have seen "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," "Beauty and the Beast" and other Disney classics, you will not be able to control your laughter during the first half of the film.
During the second half, you won't be able to control your eyes from rolling, but that in itself is what makes "Enchanted" one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.
The story begins in the animated world of Andalasia, where chipmunks talk and princes sing in the wilderness. The as-cliché-as-possible Giselle is a poor girl living in a cottage in the woods. She yearns for "true love's kiss" and naturally sings about it. Meanwhile, Prince Edward searches for his future princess while his stepmother, Queen Narissa, distracts him from finding a future wife who could take the throne .
When Edward and Giselle finally meet and decide to marry, Narissa throws Giselle into some kind of magic well, which sends her straight to a manhole in the middle of New York City's Times Square. The incredibly na've and confused Giselle, now a real-life princess (Amy Adams), searches for her castle in the city while Edward (James Marsden) tries to save his future wife.
Giselle finds herself in front of a billboard in the rain when divorced, single-father Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter take her back to their apartment. Giselle promptly makes a new dress out of Robert's curtains and uses her fairytale-land powers to summon the city's animals to clean the apartment while Robert's fiancée is shocked. Giselle's presence causes trouble in Robert and his fiancée's relationship, and Giselle must decide who the man for her is - Prince Edward or Prince McDreamy.
Adams is simply amazing. She has all of the facial expressions, gestures and vocal techniques of a Disney girl. Her character has three emotions: happy, sad and fearful, and she is drop-dead perfect at expressing each.
Adams has had some good supporting roles in the past, including work in films such as "Junebug," "Catch Me If You Can" and a guest appearance on "The West Wing." I believe this is her first starring role, though, and even if it's not, it's going to be the one that makes her big. Once you see "Enchanted," you will know what I mean. This former Hooters girl has just become a megastar.
There are only three musical-style songs in the movie, all performed by Adams and Marsden. The first two, "True Love's Kiss" and "Happy Working Song," are entirely satirical, as you may be able to tell just from the titles. The third and best, though, "That's How You Know," is only satirical in its nod to the ability of hundreds of people to suddenly know the words and dance moves to a song in a musical. Otherwise, it's the feel-good Disney song of the movie and, frankly, the best live-action musical number in many, many years.
The last portion of the movie shows the partial loss of Giselle's innocence as she falls in love with Robert, and, frankly, that's where the movie loses a bit of steam. It's no fun to see our Disney characters not as perky and happy as they should be. The end makes up for that, though, and it is just as covered in cheese as you'd expect any Disney flick to be. You can't help but roll your eyes and smile.
"Enchanted" is, well, enchanting.
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