What would happen if characters in fairy tale land (or Disney animation land) joined real-world New York City? That is what Princess Giselle of Andalasia learns when she is banished on her wedding day by the Evil Queen Narissa. The Queen sends her son’s intended off to the land where “happily ever after” doesn’t exist.
Upon arriving in the Big Apple, Giselle meets Robert, a cynical divorce lawyer, and his daughter Morgan who believes that a real princess has stepped out of a book. Of course, her father has forbidden her to read such make believe drivel.
But not to fear, Prince Charming and Giselle’s chipmunk friend, Pip, come to the rescue! BUT… the Queen’s vile spy, Nathaniel, has been sent to put an end to Giselle for good.
I found Enchanted
to be a really cute musical comedy if a bit cliched with all the ties to past classic animated features. I really liked the nod to the past with the opening and closing of the book and the narration (provided by Julie Andrews, herself). The name of a restaurant brought a chuckle. I thought the leads were all well cast. Notice Timothy Spall who played Nathaniel. He played another “rat” in a little well-known film franchise… he just has that face and persona about him. And if you think that a bunch of people singing and dancing around Bethesda Fountain is strange… just imagine how many out-of-work performers there are in New York City alone! But I imagine that it would look rather ridiculous if it were not being done for a Disney movie 😀 Actually, it was one of my favorite parts of the movie… being accompanied musically by a street corner reggae group around Central Park (in the daylight, of course). Wonder how much money Robert really put in their box.
The climax might be a little much for the very young, but overall I think Enchanted would delight any young princess 6 and over. Cute movie.