Enchanted

Rating PG Formats Blu-Ray, DVD Genre comedy Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon Directed by Kevin Lima Publisher Walt Disney External Links Enchanted Website

Modern day New York reality mixes with idealized, cartoon fairy tale in Disney's Enchanted. This positively delightful movie is certain to make you smile, chuckle and think about relationships. Like many modern day "kid" movies such as Shrek, Enchanted is entertaining on many levels that both children and adults will appreciate.

The movie begins as Giselle (Amy Adams) and Prince Edward (James Marsden) yearns for their true love's kiss in a visually enjoyable cartoon style, typical of Disney. The moment they meet and exchange names, it is settled - they shall be married in the morning! As little girls may swoon over instantly falling in love with a prince in humorously obnoxious puffy sleeves, adults may appreciate the subtle poking fun at the typical romanticism of fairy tales. As Giselle's animal friends ride with her to the castle to her wedding, Prince Edward's evil stepmother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) has a different plan. In order to keep the throne, Prince Edward must not marry Giselle. The Queen in disguise pushes Giselle down a "wishing well" to a place where there are no happy endings: modern day, non-cartoon America.

Misplaced, confused and alone, Giselle attempts to find her prince in this strange new land when she comes into a new man's life. Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter come across Giselle and they take her into their apartment to offer short-term assistance. Robert thinks she is crazy and wants her out, but his daughter believes Giselle's stories of Andalasia, the blissful land she comes from. Prince Edward also jumps down the wishing well to search for Giselle and and arrives at the portal to New York City..a sewer. The Queen continues with her attempts to keep her stepson from Giselle from Andalasia.

Meanwhile Giselle's innocence, perpetual cheerfulness and sincerity touch those around her. Richard is a divorce lawyer and tries to explain reality to Giselle, but she cannot understand anything besides true love and pure happiness. Richard won't even let his daughter know fairy tales, so the two are complete opposites. In response to Richard's explanation of separation, Giselle says married one day, separated the next? What sort of awful place is this? Richard replies, reality. This short conversation may be easily overlooked, but I think this hits close to home in our society and is a topic people should really consider and not take lightly.

When Prince Edward finally finds Giselle, he embraces her with "their song." When she doesn't chime in, he becomes flustered. Clearly something has changed in Giselle that he does not understand. Richard shows a hint of longing as Giselle leaves with her prince, despite the fact that he has a serious girlfriend. When the four of them wind up at the same ball, sparks fly between the wrong people and Giselle is confronted once again with the evil Queen.

Enchanted is a truly clever movie, and I believe Disney has outdone themselves with this twist on a conventional fairy tale. The music is outstanding and catchy and the scenery is visually pleasing, leaving you wanting more. There are some great messages about life, happiness and love from Enchanted. I loved the acting, and Amy Adams especially shines in her role, truly casting a spell and sparkling for the audience.