In the fairy tale kingdom of Andalasia, Queen Narissa (Susan Saranadon) maintains rule with the help of her servant Nathaniel (Timothy Spall) by making sure her stepson, Prince Edward (James Marsden), never finds a true love and becomes king thereby displacing her. During one of Prince Edward's troll hunts, he hears the singing of a musically inclined girl named Giselle (Amy Adams) who dreams of true love's kiss, and upon their first encounter Edward proposes marriage which Giselle accepts. On the day of the wedding Narissa in the guise of an old hag tricks Giselle into falling down a well and sends her to a land where "Happily Ever After" doesn't exist, New York City. Giselle wanders lost through the city as he sunny demeanor clashes with the rude and cynical denizens of the city, but she's eventually helped by divorce attorney and single father Robert Phillip (Patrick Dempsey) after his daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey) sees her. While Robert tries to help Giselle, her carefree whimsical exist clashes with his more grounded life. Meanwhile Robert and Nathaniel come to New York looking to find Giselle as Narissa has entrusted Nathaniel to give Giselle a poisoned apple.
The script for Enchanted written by Bill Kelly was acquired by Disney for its Touchstone label in 1997, but it wouldn't be for 10 years until the film was released via the Disney label in 2007. The film was initially written with the same overall premise, but was a much racier R-rated comedy with a sexual slant inspired by films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and American Pie. The script went through a number of extensive re-writes and false starts including iterations that would've been directed by Rob Marshall, Jon Turteltaub, and Adam Shankman. Kevin Lima, whose previous credits included A Goofy Movie and Tarzan, was hired in 2005 for the final version of the film with Bill Kelly also hired back to work with Lima on a version that included the same original premise while also paying loving homage to Disney's Golden Age. Upon release, Enchanted was met with critical and audience acclaim with the cast praised for their performances and appreciating the writing for its affectionate send-up of fairy tale formula and tropes without bridging into full-on parody. The movie was also a massive financial hit making $340 million against its $85 million budget. Enchanted is a charmer of a movie and it's thanks in no small part to the cast who give extra life to very strong material.
Enchanted features an ensemble cast with an eclectic array of actors and characters who have unique identities and personalities that are impossible not to fall in love with. Amy Adams deservedly was given heaps of prays for her role as Giselle and rightly so as she fits the musically inclined care free and effortlessly optimistic character to a "T" and is lovable as a result. Patrick Dempsey is incredibly charming is Robert Phillip whose cynicism from working as a divorce attorney as well as having a wife who left him makes him a good straight man and counterpoint to the whimsical strangeness Giselle brings into his life. James Marsden is especially good as Prince Edward who is to fairy tale princess what Buzz Lightyear was to space opera heroes in that he's chivalrous, valiant, and romantic with all those personality traits turned up to 11. The movie also has some great antagonists with Timothy Spall very strong and funny as henchman Nathaniel, and Sarandon is having a ball chewing the scenery as the wicked Queen Narissa (even if maybe she winks a little too hard at the audience in the climax).
The movie features several songs written by the always welcome Alan Menken and not only are the musical numbers expertly staged such as a lengthy sequence in Central Park, but they're also self aware of how over the top they are with Dempsey giving some great reactions particularly in the Central Park scene. The costume designs are equal parts beautiful and ridiculous especially when contrasted against the grounded nature of New York City and the visual effects are also quite good especially in regards to Giselle's chipmunk sidekick Pip who although he can speak in Andalasia cannot in New York City which leads to some solidly timed physical and pantomime comedy.
The only drawbacks I can really think of are pretty minor. The climax teeters dangerously close to diving into parody after mostly playing in more subtle fashion with Sarandon's commentary on the tropes missing more than they hit. I also felt that Idina Menzel was a little underutilized as Robert's girlfriend Nancy and while I did like the ending for that character it didn't feel like there was as much buildup for that ending as there could've been. The movie also has one or two obligatory lowbrow gags but luckily, they're not lingered on too long.
Enchanted is (for lack of a better word) enchanting. With a smart script and a charming ensemble cast you can't help but love this movie. Some of the material maybe could've done with a bit more spit and polish (and certain gags could've been jettisoned) but what works in Enchanted works incredibly well.
The script for Enchanted written by Bill Kelly was acquired by Disney for its Touchstone label in 1997, but it wouldn't be for 10 years until the film was released via the Disney label in 2007. The film was initially written with the same overall premise, but was a much racier R-rated comedy with a sexual slant inspired by films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and American Pie. The script went through a number of extensive re-writes and false starts including iterations that would've been directed by Rob Marshall, Jon Turteltaub, and Adam Shankman. Kevin Lima, whose previous credits included A Goofy Movie and Tarzan, was hired in 2005 for the final version of the film with Bill Kelly also hired back to work with Lima on a version that included the same original premise while also paying loving homage to Disney's Golden Age. Upon release, Enchanted was met with critical and audience acclaim with the cast praised for their performances and appreciating the writing for its affectionate send-up of fairy tale formula and tropes without bridging into full-on parody. The movie was also a massive financial hit making $340 million against its $85 million budget. Enchanted is a charmer of a movie and it's thanks in no small part to the cast who give extra life to very strong material.
Enchanted features an ensemble cast with an eclectic array of actors and characters who have unique identities and personalities that are impossible not to fall in love with. Amy Adams deservedly was given heaps of prays for her role as Giselle and rightly so as she fits the musically inclined care free and effortlessly optimistic character to a "T" and is lovable as a result. Patrick Dempsey is incredibly charming is Robert Phillip whose cynicism from working as a divorce attorney as well as having a wife who left him makes him a good straight man and counterpoint to the whimsical strangeness Giselle brings into his life. James Marsden is especially good as Prince Edward who is to fairy tale princess what Buzz Lightyear was to space opera heroes in that he's chivalrous, valiant, and romantic with all those personality traits turned up to 11. The movie also has some great antagonists with Timothy Spall very strong and funny as henchman Nathaniel, and Sarandon is having a ball chewing the scenery as the wicked Queen Narissa (even if maybe she winks a little too hard at the audience in the climax).
The movie features several songs written by the always welcome Alan Menken and not only are the musical numbers expertly staged such as a lengthy sequence in Central Park, but they're also self aware of how over the top they are with Dempsey giving some great reactions particularly in the Central Park scene. The costume designs are equal parts beautiful and ridiculous especially when contrasted against the grounded nature of New York City and the visual effects are also quite good especially in regards to Giselle's chipmunk sidekick Pip who although he can speak in Andalasia cannot in New York City which leads to some solidly timed physical and pantomime comedy.
The only drawbacks I can really think of are pretty minor. The climax teeters dangerously close to diving into parody after mostly playing in more subtle fashion with Sarandon's commentary on the tropes missing more than they hit. I also felt that Idina Menzel was a little underutilized as Robert's girlfriend Nancy and while I did like the ending for that character it didn't feel like there was as much buildup for that ending as there could've been. The movie also has one or two obligatory lowbrow gags but luckily, they're not lingered on too long.
Enchanted is (for lack of a better word) enchanting. With a smart script and a charming ensemble cast you can't help but love this movie. Some of the material maybe could've done with a bit more spit and polish (and certain gags could've been jettisoned) but what works in Enchanted works incredibly well.