*** Official ENCHANTED Review Thread

MandyHan · 11-13-2007, 03:23 PM

I wanted to bump this as I just saw the film a couple days ago and I think I can put any unease anyone might feel about it to rest. It was most certainly an homage to the classic Disney cartoons, and definitely did not poke fun or disrespect them in any way. The soundtrack/musical numbers are actually really reminiscent of the old classics, so that element was one of my favorites. And Amy Adams did a great job capturing the essence of a Disney princess. The cartoon conventions were used kind of as a springboard for a lot of the humor in the film, and pointing out how ridiculous some of the Disney characters would be in modern NYC was hysterical. There was still a love story, you were still rooting for the princess to win in the end, and it was visually mesmerizing. So there you have it! I'd say it's a new modern Disney classic

Adam Gregorich · 11-20-2007, 02:01 AM

Quote:

I wanted to bump this as I just saw the film a couple days ago and I think I can put any unease anyone might feel about it to rest. It was most certainly an homage to the classic Disney cartoons, and definitely did not poke fun or disrespect them in any way. The soundtrack/musical numbers are actually really reminiscent of the old classics, so that element was one of my favorites. And Amy Adams did a great job capturing the essence of a Disney princess. The cartoon conventions were used kind of as a springboard for a lot of the humor in the film, and pointing out how ridiculous some of the Disney characters would be in modern NYC was hysterical. There was still a love story, you were still rooting for the princess to win in the end, and it was visually mesmerizing. So there you have it! I'd say it's a new modern Disney classic

I saw it yesterday and I have to agree. It was a great film. It was fantastic to see hand drawn animation again. My wife and I actually thought that the film was more for adults, because more of the humor was geared to adults rather than kids, and I think younger kids will get a bit bored in the middle of the picture during some of the live action scenes. By no means is it inappropriate for children. I would reccommend it to anyone, especially fans or Disney animated films.

Jerry Almeida · 11-21-2007, 05:48 PM

Took my girls (3&7) to the 10am showing today. The youngest really lost interest shortly after it switched to live action, but that's ok, she fell asleep on my lap. The oldest really liked it.

I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I thought it was very well done and it had me laughing out loud. Amy Adams did a great job and you really cared about her character.

Very good movie.

Robert Crawford · 11-23-2007, 04:11 AM

This thread is now the Official Review Thread for "Enchanted". Please post all HTF member reviews in this thread.

Any other comments, links to other reviews, or discussion items will be deleted from this thread without warning!

If you need to discuss those type of issues then I have designated an Official Discussion Thread.

Crawdaddy

Chuck Mayer · 11-24-2007, 02:36 PM

As a lifetime Disney fan, I laughed at the idea of Enchanted when I first saw the trailer. I was caught a bit by surprise with Amy Adams, so I kept my ear to the ground. A lot of good buzz later, and my wife and I went to see it today.

We had an excellent time, and the film itself has a lot of merits. It's smartly directed, has several very fun songs, and is loaded with Disney/Princess references (and I am certain I missed DOZENS of them). That'll be something I hope they point out on the Blu-Ray.

The cast does a nice job keeping the tone sharp and playful. It never gets mean, and after a few tough films (

), I appreciated that. I'll always see Dempsey as Can't Buy Me Love nerd, but he does a nice job here. There isn't a lot for him to do, but how much characterization did Prince Eric or Prince Charming get. He does fine, and makes the most of a lightly written role. Marsden is great, as I've come to expect from him. He has a role that easily slides into buffonery, and he revels in it while never sinking into it. It's a nice balancing act by a real talent.

I do want to point out the script...I think it's quite good, considering what it has to accomplish. It allows the director Kevin Lima (animation vet) to make the film really work.

And of course it all rests on Amy Adams. I don't know how she does what she does, but the woman is simply luminous and (yup) enchanting. She possesses a wonderful warmth and openness (which she has shown in every role I've seen her in), and I could literally look at her all day. It would take quite an actress to live up to live-action Disney Princess perfection without being ridiculous, and Adams goes above and beyond. It starts a bit creepy in NY, but then she shares scenes with other characters, and it all starts to work out. It's not a performance filled with a "hoo-ah" moment or some great speech. It's a lot of little things crammed together.

In short, as a Disney fan, this is an unexpected treat. It teases the Disney story beats, because it loves them. It's more an affirmation of the Disney magic than a send-up...but with a smile and a wink.

Worth seeing!

8.5/10,
Chuck

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Patrick Sun · 11-24-2007, 09:57 PM

I was enchanted by this film from the get-go. Amy Adams does a fab turn as Giselle, as do all of the supporting cast (except for Susan Sarandon, who was a mild disappointment as the stepmother). The humor and pacing was spot-on, and loved Adam's singing and the nice musical number in the park. Pip the chipmonk steals every scene he's in, just delightfully funny. This film will play well to audiences of all ages, and should have some good legs over the holiday season.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.

Jerome Grate · 11-25-2007, 04:25 PM

Watched this yesterday with the wife and kids and we loved it.

Mike Frezon · 12-02-2007, 10:45 PM

My wife, my Mom and I all enjoyed this film greatly this weekend.

I was not thinking I would like it when I saw the trailer in the theaters. But my interest was certainly peaked when i heard that Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz would be reunited for the music. Then, when all the reviews started pouring with such high grades...

Loved the performances from all the major players. Hated the chipmunk...but understand why he was there. But as everyone has noted...this film rests squarely on the able shoulders of Amy Adams. Wow! Playing that role with such charm and not taking it over-the-top takes an incredible talent.

I was going to ask if anyone had seen the planned Goofy short film in front of the feature...but I guess it (How to Hook Up Your Home Theater) has been postponed to debut with National Treasure 2 instead.