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Enchanted (2007)

Director: Kevin Lima

Time Out rating

Average user rating

106 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 2007-10-12 18:15:50

Time Out London Issue 1947: December 12-18 2007

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User reviews of this film

Polly said...

Posted on Dec 28 2007 15:45 Went with my husband and 20 year old daughter and we all loved it! This was a wonderfully happy film, lots of clever running gags - very witty, tho I noticed that a lot seemed over the heads of some very young children in the audience. My fave bit was when Giselle gets the NY animals to help her tidy up a la "Snow White" - only they're feral pigeons, rats and 'roaches! A real shot in the arm on a rain soaked afternoon, I wanted to walk out of the cinema singing!

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Red said...

Posted on Dec 28 2007 12:10 Hmmm. :-/
Some love it, ome hate it. D:

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Red said...

Posted on Dec 28 2007 12:04 I'm going to see it today. It looks brill!

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Burgessness said...

Posted on Dec 28 2007 09:36 i loved the film. i found it funny especially when edward got run over by the bikes! if u havent seen it yet then u are wasting time reading these reviews...go and see the film. it will be worth your while!

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Becky S said...

Posted on Dec 27 2007 12:57 It was a funny film, kind of predictable yet capturing and as the audience we all hoped for the same ending.

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Nicole said...

Posted on Dec 26 2007 23:35 Everyone seems to be saying its a wicked film! So i must go & see it. Im 17, but alot of older people are also saying its good! =] x

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JoJo said...

Posted on Dec 26 2007 23:10 Hiya people havent seen the film yet bt laods o people r tellin me itz amazin so al b seein it xx

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Elica B said...

Posted on Dec 26 2007 15:37 A magnificant film. The only reason for that is because it actually crosses between cartoon and real worlds.All i can say is that it was absolutly undoutedly 100% TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bev said...

Posted on Dec 24 2007 18:10 On the evening of Monday the 24th of December 2007, me and a few acquaintences enjoyed a night out at an institution known by many as a "cinema"! The recorded performance was thrilling - The animation was top-notch and the acting was fantastically exquisite. I will definately be recommending this fine expression of arts to my many chums at the bowling club and mates at the tea shop!! toodles darlings xox

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sarah said...

Posted on Dec 23 2007 17:36 It was an amusing movie for both children and adults. My grandad, mum, me and younger brother all enjoyed it thoroughly. Loved the happily ever after ending! :)

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Mia said...

Posted on Dec 23 2007 09:48 I thought the film was truly great and captured a bit of the old disney magic. I had five boys with me ranging in age from 4 to 10 and there were bits in it thta they all thought was fantastic- my friend and i loved it!!!!! It is a must go see film and as soon as its on dvd i shall be buying it!!!!! Enjoy

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Nic H said...

Posted on Dec 23 2007 08:50 Great film, although probably aimed at younger children and girls of any age. Took my 3 yr old son who does not normally sit still for long during a film but who sat right to the end. He has also spoken about it alot this week, although mainly about the Dragon! I think older boys wold love it but would perhaps not like to admit to it as it is a tad girly. :o)

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can said...

Posted on Dec 22 2007 19:57 the film made me sick it was so corny

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BOB said...

Posted on Dec 22 2007 09:06 Its was tha worst film in my life it was ridiculus
it suks

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Sofie said...

Posted on Dec 21 2007 20:31 I took my 11 year old son to see it, we both enjoyed it but I think I laughed more than he. Good family film.:-)

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