Bill Kelly (5)

What an adorable and funny spin on the fairy tale genre by mixing it with the real world and throwing in a few practical life lessons while keeping the charm and magic of a princess movie.

By far one of the better examples of the "fractured fairy tale" genre, Enchanted has a similar set-up to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe or The Wizard of Oz, but in reverse. Here, dreamy forest maiden Giselle falls down a well and into the real world where she promptly attaches herself to prominent divorce lawyer Robert Philip and his young daughter Morgan. While she tries to adapt to this decidedly un-magical world, her fiance Prince Edward (whom she has known less than a day) pursues show more her through the well to attempt a rescue.

Playing on fairy tale conventions that most children will be intimately familiar with, Enchanted is not quite as subversive as the first Shrek movie but makes up for it with ridiculous costumes and spontaneous song-and-dance numbers. The romance between Robert and Giselle is yawn-worthy and his motives for keeping her around highly questionable, but kids are sure to like Disney's foray into fractured fairy tales. Recommended for grades 3-6. show less

Very fun and clever. A man out of time and a woman who loves him. Leaves you feeling happy, and like having a martini.

A Disney princess is sent to the real world.

It balances a fine line between emulating Elf, and emulating bad 90's romantic comedies. It usually tips to the former, although it's never half as good as that movie.

Concept: B
Story: C
Characters: D
Dialog: B
Pacing: B
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: C
Music: C

Enjoyment: C plus

GPA: 2.2/4