Review of 'Disenchanted'
Following on from the events of “Enchanted” (2007), Giselle (Amy Adams), Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) are living in Manhattan with their baby Sofia (Mila Jackson). Life is beginning to drag them down so Giselle convinces the family to move to Monroeville, a suburban town. Their new home is not without problems with renovations still underway, Robert facing a difficult commute every day and Morgan feeling like an outcast at her new school. Giselle is given a magical wand by her Andalasian parents, King Edward (James Marsden) and Queen Nancy (Idina Menzel). Giselle decides to use the wand to wish for her family's life to be a perfect fairy tale, transforming Monroeville into a Disney-fied idyll. While Giselle is initially pleased she quickly realizes she is becoming a wicked step-mother to Morgan and if she wants to stop the complete destruction of Anadalasia she will need to undo the wish using the wand but the (now) evil queen Malvina (Maya Rudolph) wants it for herself…
I can't say I can recall having seen the original “Enchanted” film so I may have to watch it at some point. “Disenchanted” starts out as an amusing, tongue firmly in cheek, story of how the “happily ever after” of Disney films can turn into a complete nightmare complete with starting out as a colourful animation featuring singing animals before fading into the reality of what happens after “happily ever after” in Manhattan. I say “starts out” this way because it very quickly digresses into what is basically another take on any number of other classic Disney fairy tales albeit with a somewhat darker tone what with the threatening of the complete destruction of a world…I was kind of hoping some of the personal issues faced by the family such as the conflict between Giselle and her adopted daughter Morgan would be more appropriately addressed rather than swept under the carpet in favour of yet another fairy tale.
There is, of course, plenty of music though no songs that particularly stand out in the memory. The filmmakers have gone to a great deal of trouble to having the characters true to themselves with Giselle, despite reality crushing in around her, firmly planted in her fantasy roots as she sings her way through the day as she talks to the animals. Robert and Morgan also play stereotypical roles with little signs of growth and quite removed from the complications of reality. Even the real world presented in the beginning of this film is very much a fantasy so perhaps it is not so much a stretch when it really is turned into a magical kingdom…the characters have little to do in the way of adjustment (ok, Robert becomes a hapless adventurer seeking out dragons but, let's face it, how much different is this than facing the daily commute?).
The effects, of course, are absolutely stunning and there are a lot of highly entertaining aspects to the story that will keep adults amused while the little ones will like that this is very similar to many other Disney films. I just had hoped that they could have taken this a bit further rather than coping out on “yet another fairy tale”. Still, a good bit of fun, just don't look for anything more.
Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2024-06-30
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Year: 2022
Length: 119 minutes
Genre: Comedy
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596342/