Enchanted (DVD, 2008, Widescreen)

I wasn't expecting much from this movie. It starts out as a rather ho-hum rehash of the classic animated Disney fair tales we all grew up with, then POW, the characters eventually end up in a very real, modern NYC and then the fun begins. The director has taken bits of all the famous Disney classics and given them a nice twist. A perky princess is totally out of place in The Big Apple, just as much as her Prince Charming who preens and parades around and is at times inept. And therein ensures the humor. The "happily ever after" Princess Giselle is rescued by a realistic divorced attorney who won't allow his young daughter Morgan to ready fairy tales. Of course Giselle turns him around.

The musical numbers are just fair. The movie really lives up to it's title in the final sequence when the evil queen Narsisa (Susan Sarandon in a show stealing performance) decides to end her stepson's search for the princess once and for all.

The movie is wonderfully made and the dialog at times, crackles with dark wit (particularly Sarandon).

The creators kept the animated beginning mercifully short and have retained one of the first truly great Disney fairy tales in many a year.

You will be "Enchanted" despite the fairly unknown cast of leads (with the exception of Patrick Dempsey and Susan Sarandon).

Everyone who is a fan of this movie should buy this rare 2 disc edition and it's a shame that it didn't became the film's official dvd release. And a little funny to think about, as well, one should think that Disney would do the mostly to merchandise them self.

The first disc includes exactly the same previews and bonus feautres like the "official" one disc edition, which is not so much to brag about. The three "making off"-featurettes, which are interesting, but last short. And then there's some deleted scenes, who also are interesting (and someone who actually could have fit the movie), but also too short. There's the music video for Carrie Underwood's song "Ever Ever After", the dissapointing featurette of "Pip's Predicament: A Pop-Up Adventure" and a hidden easter egg.

Then it is the second disc, who comes in a little cover for it self. The disc includes only a 31 minute "making off"-featurette, who are in English, but you can have Spanish subtitles too. Quite interesting featurette and should definitively be more available to "Enchanted" fans. They are interviews with the director Kevin Lima, Amy Adams, James Mardsen and ect (but not so much with Patrick Dempsey). The crew talks about the animation, the setting, the design and the songs. The only bad thing with this featurette is when it comes to the end they are rushing a little bit.

As for the movie itself: It's sweet and enjoyable, but you should at least watch it three times before you can see this film as a whole. The animated parts gives you a good, nostalgic feeling and it's a homage to old Disney. The rest of the film is okay too, it's a little strange too hear Alan Menken's score in a half live action film, but his score and songs are wonderful. Amy Adams is convincing as Giselle, so is James Mardsen as Prince Edward and Susan Sarandon as Queen Narissa. The only one who stands a little bit out is Patrick Dempsey's character and Timothy Spall as Nathaniel. Otherwise, this is a cute and funny movie that every Disney fan not should miss.

Many films released by Disney are touted as "classics" — even some of their sub-par, direct-to-DVD material. This is not the case with "Enchanted." Surely, this live-action, animated hybrid will rank among the best in the Disney canon, a return to form for the once-glorious animated powerhouse.

Amy Adams stars as Giselle, a fairy-tale princess transplanted to modern-day Manhattan. No one but Adams could have pulled off the "gee whiz!" performance necessary as Giselle explores the real world and comes face to face with the harsh reality of love and relationships. Patrick Dempsey is also excellent, but James Marsden really steals most of the scenes in which he appears, Marsden, a former soap actor turned serious thespian, plays the ultimate hyperbole of prince charming.

Complete with a brilliant score by music legend Alan Menken, and full of clever homages to past Disney Classics, "Enchanted" manages to bring the joy of fairy tales back to viewers of all ages.

"Enchanted" more than lives up to its title. A full-blown musical that commutes between Disney's patented cartoon universe and the "real" world with cleverness and grace, this splashy production reminds one of nothing in the Disney canon so much as "Mary Poppins," not least due to the "star is born" aura that surrounds Amy Adams here, just as it did Julie Andrews 43 years ago. Comparison between the two films will certainly extend to their popularity, as the new one will please nearly all audiences all the time on its flight to the place where B.O. dreams come true.

This was an excellent movie. It starts off with that majestyk vintage old fashioned fairytale setting then changes before your eyes. Changes to a real life fairytale and is really well put together. This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. My daughter absolutely loved it.

This is the Best Disney's movie of the year, Second to THE GAME PLAN..This movie is a MUST BUY..You will not be Disapointed .


CAST:

Julie Andrews ... Narrator (voice)
Amy Adams ... Giselle
Patrick Dempsey ... Robert Philip
James Marsden ... Prince Edward
Susan Sarandon ... Queen Narissa
Timothy Spall ... Nathaniel
Idina Menzel ... Nancy Tremaine
Rachel Covey ... Morgan Philip
Jeff Bennett ... Pip in Andalasia (voice)
Kevin Lima ... Pip in New York (voice)
Emma Rose Lima ... Bluebird / Fawn / Rapunzel (voice)
Teala Dunn ... Bunny (voice)
Fred Tatasciore ... Troll (voice)
Courtney Williams ... Sunglass Street Vendor
William Huntley ... Grumpy

OVERALL
9.5/10

ARE YOU STILL READING THIS YOU SHOULD GO OUT THERE AND BUY THIS MOVIE!

Amy Adams IS Gisselle!
Her character and voice add so much to the movie. Watching her in the dance number in the park is like seeing a real live Disney or Grimm character brought to life. She really makes the film.
I love Susan Sarandon, and her whole performance is great but, the ending is almost anti-climactic after she morphs into a dragon. She DID make a Great evil queen though.
Fun for little girly-girls and gay men ( myself included ), I thought Amy's performance was brilliant. Actually the whole family will enjoy it. It's a real live character brought to life from an animated " Disney like" story,
With singing and sewing mice and birds like Cinderella, An evil queen like in Snow White and some Saturday Night Live thrown in for good measure.
It really is quite funny and cute, well written and directed; And extremely well acted. The Prince, Gisselle, the Queen and everyone involved were great fun to watch.
You'll enjoy it.
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