Enchanted (2007)

Just a cute movie all around. Modern day parable

If you enjoy modern day fairy tales, and also enjoy movies filmed in New York City, then you will most likely love this movie. The star is a little dopey, but dopey in a cute way. She charms the proverbial single parent, father of a small child, and the rest is mystery. Good special effects. The counter person, at the store where I bought this said, "this is my daughters FAVORITE movie...she can watch it over and over again.." It was a good, unsolicited testimonial, and it turns out the kids is pretty much right. This movie has something that most people will find appealing. The only downside about the movie is Susan Sarandon's part of the "Evil witch". It seems forced, and almost like she's pandering to the kids. Other than that it's all "happily ever after". Some of the specific NYC scenes that people will enjoy are the "time portal" directly in Times Square, which any NY'er or tourist can connect with. Others include a funny scene where a homeless person steals her tiara, and bolts down the street. Funny stuff. October 10, 2008

No address

I waited and waited and watched the postal trace. Finally it could not be delivered because the seller did not put my address on the package. The Post office told me that it was going to be returned to the sender. October 8, 2008

Downhill Disney

Disney films have pretty much gone downhill since the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" animated movie. In that film, the heroine kicks men in the groin to make her escape and the comedy relief is provided by a stone gargoyle that relieves itself by passing gas.

In this film, we have a live dog urinating on the leg of a prince and a chipmunk that defecates when frightened.

Is this what passes for family entertainment these days? October 4, 2008

Family Pleaser

This film is excellent all the family enjoy watching it. The tunes are very catchy our boys aged 2 and 5 sing them all the time. A must buy for any one who enjoys Disney films September 24, 2008

This film belongs in your permanent collection

I saw this movie at the theatre and liked it. I thought it was cute, and then sort of forgot about it. Months later, my kids rented the DVD, and I watched it again. Then I really liked it, and I ordered a copy for our DVD library. When I was watching it again today, I realized that I truly love this movie, and I needed to write a review of it. It's only after repeated viewings that I have finally recognized genius in this film. Disney has pulled out all the stops to make a hilarious live-action parody of its own invented genre of animated fairy-tale romance. I bet I have watched this movie ten times now, and I find something new every viewing.

Amy Adams is an amazing actress. I loved her in Junebug and The Wedding Date (Widescreen Edition). In Enchanted, she really makes you believe that she is the animated character of Giselle, come to life. Her dippy hand gestures and her wide-eyed straight delivery of truly goofy lines are superb. But what makes the performance even more amazing is the gradual transformation of Giselle from cartoonish to human before our very eyes. Adams never loses her Disney-princess innocence, but she becomes fully three-dimensional in her movements and her line readings as the film moves to a satisfying happily-ever-after for the stars. It's an inspired performance.

The other actors are equally good. Patrick Dempsey is now a confirmed hunky leading man -- I still recall him so clearly as a geek in his early teenage movies. James Marsden is also sigh-worthy. And Susan Sarandon as the Evil Stepmother -- what can I say? The woman is ageless, gorgeous, and can play anything.

And the songs? Marvelous. When I took my kids to New York this past May, we spent half a day in Central Park, our Ipods plugged in, swooping around and singing out advice on "How does she know you love her? How does she know you care?" while we checked out all the places where they filmed the scenes from that number. (Yes, if you were in the park that Tuesday, that was us -- and no, we hadn't been drinking.)

Anyway, if you do not own a copy of this movie, and if you have a romantic funny bone, buy it (in the widescreen version, of course) for your permanent collection. September 19, 2008

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