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Enchanted (2007)

Director: Kevin Lima

Time Out rating

Average user rating

68 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Disney has pulled off a bit of a doozy with this amusing parody of its own oeuvre. Ostensibly a freewheeling blend of the ‘Snow White’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’ fairytales, ‘Enchanted’ begins in conventional, animated Disney territory where pretty Giselle is being courted by Edward, her Prince Charming. His witchy mother, however, has an evil scheme on the boil and banishes Giselle to twenty-first century New York City.
At this juncture, the film flits from animation to live action just as Giselle (now Amy Adams), dressed to the nines in a flowing ball gown, emerges from a manhole into a world of bustling humanity. Her first real-world encounter is with divorce lawyer Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey), who, despite sensing correctly that she’s well away with the fairies, eventually relents to her request for shelter and – lo and behold! – begins
to fall for the scatty lass. When Edward eventually appears (in the guise of James Marsden), Giselle is left facing a typically predictable rom-com dilemma.

At first glance, Kevin Lima’s contemporary urban fantasy looks hideously twee. It’s only when the story hits the streets of NYC and Adams starts hamming it up (much like Julie Hagerty did in ‘Airplane’) that we start seeing the fruits of a grand Mickey-take. Giselle is clearly on another planet; she swans around singing inane songs and delivering amusingly mundane fantasy lingo in a shrill voice. Had Adams (no relation) not hammed-up her performance to such a degree and, more pertinently, had the film taken itself seriously, one might otherwise have felt compelled to torch the screen. Instead, ‘Enchanted’ is one of the better family films of this year.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 1947: December 12-18 2007

User reviews of this film

DavidB said...

Posted on Mar 27 2008 21:17 A really super family film with a bubbly enthiasm thats infectious.

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Marian said...

Posted on Feb 21 2008 15:35 The best thing since Shrek. Great for the whole family. It was very funny and really well put together. Highly recommended.

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critique said...

Posted on Feb 12 2008 17:04 Jaunty, entertaining fun for all the family, very professionally done.

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Antonio Figueroa said...

Posted on Feb 08 2008 13:17 Sadly the parody it's not taken any further than the first 45 minutes, it could have been a much better film, but it slow melts in the schmaltzyness of a plain and previsible plot. It shows that animation minutes cost to film more than real action, we could have more of classical animation and less rosey chick-flick. Amy Adams is fantastic, a joy that infuses life into a bidimensional character.
Unable of replicating a grand finale from any other Disney hit, Susan Sarandon's character it's absolutely wasted at the end. But still worth it if only for two show-stoppers: "Happy Working Song" and "That's How You Know", two absolute classics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Family uncomplicated fun

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sue said...

Posted on Jan 29 2008 13:48 A film for everyone young and old. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not smile - it would be impossible - it is just so sweet and lovely

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Fran said...

Posted on Jan 29 2008 13:37 This film is AMAZING!!! It had all the right elements, fun, parody, humour, love and is truely touching! When had a wide age range in our group when we watched it, from 6 to 80 and everyone came away smiling!

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Sophie said...

Posted on Jan 27 2008 14:46 i cried see this movie asap

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Izzy! said...

Posted on Jan 26 2008 18:53 gd omg this is the BEST MOVIE! a bit cheesey but fun. This romantic comedy is perfect for all the yong to
middlle aged girls! This is a great movie for a lagh and a bit of a tea at the end!

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Angel said...

Posted on Jan 26 2008 11:43 I think this is cool im gonna whatch dis

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emma said...

Posted on Jan 24 2008 19:22 i think that the film enchantend was brillant the film of the year. Although cartoon bit was'nt great.

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Natalie; said...

Posted on Jan 24 2008 15:18 wicked! X

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Loz b x said...

Posted on Jan 23 2008 16:05 Hey peepz!!!!!!! Gona c dis film on Saturday wiv ma m8s and boyf it lks awsum!!!!!!!!

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jenny said...

Posted on Jan 23 2008 15:30 gr8 film but a bit 2 soppy

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Laura & Shaun said...

Posted on Jan 22 2008 19:04 love this film. Shaun cried. Laura laughed. Greys Anatomy guy is hot -- by Shaun. OTT acting by the girl (Princess), but it was done well... bravo! x

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misc said...

Posted on Jan 20 2008 16:05 It was different and slightly funny but I wouldnt say it met my expectations. I feel they could of done slightly better.

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