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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Video
Salesrank: 588
Released: March 18, 2008 |
| Our Price: $8.88 |
| Used Price: $3.45 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
ENCHANTED - WIDESCREEN (DVD MOVIE)
Description of Enchanted (Widescreen Edition):
Life is idyllic in the fairytale world where conflict is minimal and breaking into song solves every problem, but what happens when a princess from the fairy world gets magically transported into the real world? Enchanted begins in the animated fairytale world of Andalasia where Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is destined to marry Prince Edward (James Marsden) and live happily ever after. Problem is, Edward's step-mother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) doesn't want to give up the throne and will do anything to get Giselle out of Edward's life. Queen Narissa's solution is to push Giselle into a well that magically lands Giselle smack in the middle of the real world--the center of Time Square in New York City, to be exact. This launches the live-action portion of the film where Giselle immediately realizes that things are frighteningly different in this new world and that she is ill-prepared for the callous ways of the people who inhabit it. Giselle finds herself alone on a stormy night in the wrong end of town, but a chance encounter with Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his princess-loving daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey) leads to a warm, safe place to spend the night and the beginnings of a complicated, yet compelling relationship. As Giselle begins to question the fairy-tale truths she's always inherently believed, Robert's outlook on life and love also begins to change significantly. Parallels to the classic Disney fairytales, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty abound in the form of a King's and Queen's ball, small animals and rodents who clean house when called, the threat of poisoned apples, characters impulsively breaking into song, and the power of the kiss of true love and the absurd juxtaposition of fairytale idealism and stark reality is hilariously funny. Features music by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz of Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame fame, Wicked's Broadway Elpheba Idina Menzel as Nancy, and even a brief appearance by former Princess voice talent Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas). Enchanted is one of the best, most entertaining Disney films of the year. (Ages 6 and older with parental guidance due to some scary images and mild innuendo) --Tami Horiuchi
Beyond Enchanted
Disney Princesses on DVD | 
Paperback | 
Soundtrack |
Stills from Enchanted (click for larger image) Enchanted (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
Witty and original 
2009-12-21 - Enchanted (Widescreen Edition) original, witty, and very entertaining. The plot is a spoof of typical Disney cartoon romances. I love how it mixes fairytale characters with the hustle of modern New York. The blend is seamless. The cast is really well-suited to their roles - both fairytale and modern. When the cartoons transform into actors, they become real people but never lose a sense of fairytaleness. However, Amy Adams shines through as the naive but charming Giselle. She is able to say the most insane lines while keeping a straight face. The film also has quite a few funny and witty moments - including some adult jokes too subtle for kids to catch. Overall, I think this is one film that both parents and kids will love.
Enchanted (DVD)
2009-12-09 - I purchased this item for my mother who loves this movie to the T. So as a special random gift, I got it for her, so she could watch it whenever she'd like. I love this movie! The music, the story, and the imagination! Great packaging and great shipping. Thank you.
Made a great gift. The kids love it
2009-12-09 - Our kids love this movie. Enchanted is one that the kids love to play over and over and over again.
Doesn't hurt that the music is catchy.
It's great to have a clean, fun movie that the family can enjoy.
not /quite/ so charming as one might like 
2009-11-02 - This is a terrifically entertaining -- and clever -- film, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
But... If I might get serious...
Leonard Bernstein once said that no composer consciously sets out to write "insincere" music. "Enchanted" is a conscious parody of Disney style and content that, at the same time, tries to remain sincere. But parody is inherently un-sincere. It's difficult to spoof something while treating it ingenuously. The two work against each other.
This is most apparent in the film's best sequence -- the "Happy Little Working Song", which skewers "Whistle While You Work". The former brutally satirizes what is implicit in the latter -- dirty animals are cleaning up the place, including the dishes! Stephen Schwartz couldn't resist having Giselle acknowledge that they rats, roaches, and pigeons are "vermin", or having her sing:
"We'll keep singing without fail, otherwise we'd spoil it,
Hosing down the garbage pail and scrubbing up the toilet.",
something the "real", naive Giselle would never sing. But this is a spoof, so why not? The sequence ends with a slap at "Disney cute" -- one of the pigeons eats one of the cockroaches. If we hadn't caught on that the film was a take-off, we know now.
The problem is that there's no easy way to balance sincerity and spoof. It's not unlike making a comic horror film. James Whale did it -- once -- and no one else has duplicated it, not even Sam Raimi. "Enchanted"'s script and direction lean on the sincere side, without going overboard on the send-up. But the result isn't sincere enough to draw any strong emotion, while the parody lacks "edge" -- except in the scene mentioned. There's no way this obviously tongue-in-cheek tone could have been continued throughout the rest of the film without -- well, spoiling it.
It would be unfair -- and insincere -- to ask Bill Kelly (the writer) and Kevin Lima (the director) to achieve what is virtually impossible. So I won't. Just enjoy "Enchanted" for what it is -- a Disney self-parody that's been a long time coming.
Parents should be aware that the PG rating includes "mild innuendo" -- /sexual/ innuendo, both straight and gay. It will probably go right over most toddlers' heads, but don't be surprised if you get the odd question or two. ("Mommy, why is that man smiling at the prince?")
This BD is typical of Disney, which is to say, gorgeous. Other than a game and some bloopers, there's nothing on the BD that wasn't on the DVD. But the animation, costumes, sets, and effects benefit greatly from high definition.
LOVE
2009-10-27 - Love this DVD, plays great and everything was in great condition. would buy from them again.
