Enchanted (2007)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey

Director: Kevin Lima

Time: 107 mins

Viewed: Regal Marlboro 8, New Jersey

Combination animated/live action film (but mostly live action) posits what happens when a bevy of typical Disney cartoon characters (the perky heroine, the gallant prince, the evil stepmother) enter the real world (New York City). Giselle (Adams) is a relentlessly happy girl from the cartoon land of Andalasia who meets her dream prince (Marsden) but falls afoul of his stepmother (Sarandon), who banishes her to the wilds of New York. A disbelieving divorce lawyer (Dempsey) takes her in, while the stepmother and her sidekick (Spall) also enter the Big Apple and try to kill her with the ubiquitous poisoned variety. Winning parody, by Disney, of Disney animated conventions adds a few twists, numerous references, and a joyous mid-film musical number that only hardened cynics would fail to be buoyed by. Adams (from Catch Me If You Can and Junebug) anchors the film with a sprightly, appealing performance, superhero film staple Marsden (X-Men, Superman Returns) is fun as the ditzy prince, and Oscar-winner Sarandon hams it up as the stepmother. A delight for the whole family, especially those who are well-versed in Disney lore.

(c) Joe Wong (24 November 2007)