Enchanted

Viewed - 10 May 2008  DVD

Once in a while, a film comes along that is just pure unblemished joy.  Now you might say, no film is perfect, and to some extent I would agree, but when a film puts a smile on your face from the beginning and it doesn’t fade until the end credits (and even then it still kinda lingers), then you know the film has worked its magic on you.  Disney films have often had this magic, although some efforts have left more of a bad taste in recent years, yet this charming fantasy-musical referrences the House of Mouse’s grandest ideas and sends them up superbly.

A naive wannabe-Princess in an enchanted animated land, falls for a heroic Prince and is soon to be married.  Yet on her wedding day a bitter and twisted Queen vows to banish her from the magical land, and pushes her into a well.  The young princess-to-be soon wakes up in modern day real-world Manhattan, and realises ’she’s a long way from kansass’ or words to that effect.  This great spin on Disney traditions has a wonderful performance at its heart from Amy Adams as sweet-hearted Giselle, the wannabe-Princess and great support from the Lawyer who takes her under his wing, Patrick Dempsey.  We also get a great boo-hiss villian in the shape of Susan Surandon’s wicked Queen, and add excellently staged musical numbers, a good story and some great special effects (with a stand out chipmunk), and well what more can I say?

Watch this at your earliest convenience!

Verdict:  5 /5