Saturday 5 January 2008

Enchanted

Certainly the best live action Disney film the studio has produced in quite some time, this genuinely funny comedy benefits from a committed lead performance from Amy Adams. Adams had come to notice in Junebug and shines here as the cartoon princess thrust into the harsh, alien world of Manhattan.

Perfectly cast as the prince who vows to rescue her is James Marsden – a guy so good looking that he looks exactly how you’d imagine a cartoon prince would look if they ever came to life. Maybe that doesn’t sound good looking, but he has the face and the charm to suit the role perfectly. Patrick Dempsey plays a real person who may or may not be her real true and although his floppy hairstyle created numerous continuity errors throughout, he’s more than capable in his role. Timothy Spall, an actor who was surely waiting all his career for an Alfred Hitchcock bio to come along, only for Anthony Hopkins to get the gig plays the wicked queen’s henchman; the queen herself being played by Susan Sarandon.

It’s hard not to like much of this film. The casting’s great, there are some great songs – including a terrific musical number in Central Park that even the biggest musical curmudgeon can’t possible not smile at. The script could be tighter – there are some funny moments – there probably could have been more, but all in all it’s a great family film that the adults will enjoy just as much as the kids.

B

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