Enchanted

Rated PG

Everyone needs to indulge their inner child from time to time. Mine was begging to go and see Enchanted, a delightful mixture of Disney animation and live-action.

Beautiful maiden Giselle (Amy Adams) is engaged to be married to Prince Edward (James Marsden). But like in many other fairy tales, the prince is plagued by an evil step-mother (Susan Sarandon), who uses dark magic to banish Giselle to a land with no “happily-ever-afters.” Insert laughter here as Giselle lands in the middle of modern day New York City. The hopelessly chipper Giselle stumbles her way through the pessimistic city until divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey) comes to her rescue. As she gains her bearings in the real world, Giselle begins to wonder if Prince Edward is really the man she wants after all.

This charming movie is sweet enough to be entertaining to children, while having enough comedy and romance elements to appeal to adults as well. Like the Disney movies of past, the main characters are fond of breaking out into song, which is a shock to Robert’s big city sentimentality. The endearingly cheerful Giselle will warm your heart without grating on your nerves, and the self-absorbed Prince Edward is just clueless enough to still be charming. Subtle satire will keep you laughing: when Giselle sings for her animal friends to help clean Robert’s messy apartment, scores of rats and cockroaches answer the call.

Though predictable, this movie is a treat for the eyes and ears, and will leave you walking away with a grin on your face.