The mention of Disney movies automatically elicits thoughts of fairy-tale fiction wrought with the overwhelming power of true love. These stories are typically told with the aid of corny dialogue, even cornier songs and a vast array of magical forest animals. Take those elements, make them as archetypal as humanly possible, transpose them to live action and the resulting film is "Enchanted."
There is little that can be said of "Enchanted." It is every whimsical fantasy ever devised, only filmed with actual actors and sprinkled sparsely with mild humor. Parts are admittedly cute, though much of its cutesy-style humor quickly weighs heavily on the viewers. It's too corny and too mindless to be enjoyed for any extended period of time.
Where the best family films appeal to children and adults alike, "Enchanted" doesn't make it past a fourth-grade level. Anyone not in elementary school, beware. Leave your mind behind if you are forced to accompany your younger cousin to the movie.
The plot follows a traditional fairy tale story arc. Starting with animation and then leaping into live action, it is predictable, unimaginative and bland. Giselle, the damsel in distress played by Amy Adams, is chased by the wicked stepmother (Susan Sarandon) and set upon by a scheming henchman (Timothy Spall). Oh, what is a princess to do?
Trapped in an unfamiliar and unfriendly world - in this case, New York City - she is aided by the kindness of strangers and the stray New York City animals whom she brainwashes with the power of her chirpy, operatic voice.
The only thing "Enchanted" has that remotely resembles originality is the interplay between animation, live action and the cynical everyman view of fairy tales offered by Patrick Dempsey. Playing Robert Philip, Dempsey is the average New Yorker with no imagination or tolerance for whimsy. The only problem with Dempsey's performance is that there is nothing to it. His character is little more than a necessary element to any story where real meets imaginary.
"Enchanted" could pass for cute. The singing is pretty, the characters charming, the humor mindlessly childish. Kids will like it. But adults? Not so much.
The movie is little more than the next logical step in fairy tales, and it exercises no imagination. For a leap back in time or at least maturity, "Enchanted" is now playing in theaters everywhere.
