Enchanted (2007)
Am I the only one who thinks Amy Adams should stick to playing sweet characters in the movies? She’s so delightful, and she has a natural radiance that comes with her whole-hearted smile. She was the absolute perfect choice to play a real-life Disney princess, and I could easily see her working at Disneyland and taking photos with kiddies.
The beginning cartoon sequence of Enchanted is too cute for words, and when each character gradually enters the real-people world, they have such a natural reaction to their new surroundings. Amy is so sweet, she can’t imagine meanness in others; she famously thanks Patrick Demsey for sarcastically welcoming her to New York. When she finally learns about anger and wrong versus right, she gives wonderfully subtle transition emotions that make us believe she truly is a cartoon character come to life.
One of the most charming aspects of this movie is the classic Disney formula that still remains. With the world so cynical and changed from the golden age of the 1950s, how is it possible for audiences to tap their toe to shmaltzy songs and believe in true love? But this cynical-to-sweet story manages to sweep a jaded divorce lawyer (Demsey) off his feet, as well as millions of audience viewers. No matter how ridiculous and unrealistic you may find Amy Adams at the start of the movie (I didn’t think she was at all), you’re guaranteed to fall in love with her and her sunny personality by the time she conducts a spontaneous musical number in Central Park.
In the supporting cast, Susan Sarandon hams it up as the Evil Queen, but at least she’s given a funny name: Narcissa. Julie Andrews narrates the opening scene, and in a funny casting choice, Idina Menzel, famous for playing the Wicked Witch on Broadway, plays Demsey’s perfectly normal girlfriend. As Prince Charming and his valet (who secretly works for the evil queen), James Marsden and Timothy Spall have a great rapport together. Is there a better choice for a real life Prince Charming than James Marsden? He’s just a doll, and it makes you wonder why Amy would ever look twice at someone else. But, as this movie proves, life is not a fairy tale, and happy endings aren’t guaranteed. Although, “true love’s kiss” certainly does have a magical quality about it – just ask anyone! In a hilarious and unrelated note, when I saw this movie in the theaters on Thanksgiving, it was a packed house, and during the kiss scene, a little kid let loose an “Ewww!” It was adorable, and I’ll never forget it.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When Amy first turns into a human, the camera spins upside down until she crawls out of the manhole cover, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
More Julie Andrews movies here!
More Susan Sarandon movies here!
The beginning cartoon sequence of Enchanted is too cute for words, and when each character gradually enters the real-people world, they have such a natural reaction to their new surroundings. Amy is so sweet, she can’t imagine meanness in others; she famously thanks Patrick Demsey for sarcastically welcoming her to New York. When she finally learns about anger and wrong versus right, she gives wonderfully subtle transition emotions that make us believe she truly is a cartoon character come to life.
One of the most charming aspects of this movie is the classic Disney formula that still remains. With the world so cynical and changed from the golden age of the 1950s, how is it possible for audiences to tap their toe to shmaltzy songs and believe in true love? But this cynical-to-sweet story manages to sweep a jaded divorce lawyer (Demsey) off his feet, as well as millions of audience viewers. No matter how ridiculous and unrealistic you may find Amy Adams at the start of the movie (I didn’t think she was at all), you’re guaranteed to fall in love with her and her sunny personality by the time she conducts a spontaneous musical number in Central Park.
In the supporting cast, Susan Sarandon hams it up as the Evil Queen, but at least she’s given a funny name: Narcissa. Julie Andrews narrates the opening scene, and in a funny casting choice, Idina Menzel, famous for playing the Wicked Witch on Broadway, plays Demsey’s perfectly normal girlfriend. As Prince Charming and his valet (who secretly works for the evil queen), James Marsden and Timothy Spall have a great rapport together. Is there a better choice for a real life Prince Charming than James Marsden? He’s just a doll, and it makes you wonder why Amy would ever look twice at someone else. But, as this movie proves, life is not a fairy tale, and happy endings aren’t guaranteed. Although, “true love’s kiss” certainly does have a magical quality about it – just ask anyone! In a hilarious and unrelated note, when I saw this movie in the theaters on Thanksgiving, it was a packed house, and during the kiss scene, a little kid let loose an “Ewww!” It was adorable, and I’ll never forget it.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When Amy first turns into a human, the camera spins upside down until she crawls out of the manhole cover, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
More Julie Andrews movies here!
More Susan Sarandon movies here!