According to Yahoo! Movie News, Enchanted “had the second-best five-day Thanksgiving debut ever”, ranking below Toy Story 2.
~~=oP
I’m so glad Enchanted is doing well at the Box Office and at Rotten Tomatoes too (last time I checked, it had a 93% freshness rating). I LOVE this movie and I can’t get the songs out of my head!
I’m actually a little surprised that it’s been so well received. Not that I thought it looked dumb, but I just felt it wasnt the kind of movie the critics would go for. But people are mostly liking it. The only bad thing I’ve heard is that it kind of loses the story near the end and goes more for special effects.
In London, there was a massive glittery, lit-up sign thing hanging over Oxford Street that said something like ‘have an Enchanted Christmas!’ I too am quite surprised just how well-recieved it’s been. I didn’t expect such a positive reception for the film, just that it would be an enjoyable, fun film but with no real after-effect, so to speak. I might actually bother to go and see it when it comes out. 
I haven’t seen the film yet (Doesn’t open here till Dec 26), but I do know that I love the cover of That’s Amoré by James Marsden from the soundtrack.
I saw it over Thanksgiving break with my great-aunt, her daughter Linda and Linda’s daughter Liz. (The problem with visiting that branch of the family tree is that everybody apart from my great-aunt and -uncle is that everybody is some sort of cousin - there were first cousins once removed, second cousins, second cousins once removed and twice removed (I think), so it got rather confusing.) Anyway, the movie is so cute - and while it does poke fun at the idea of a Disney princess (the very first scene has references to both The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty, in addition to nods/pokes at Snow White and the whole massive animated musical production number - except this time it was live-action), it’s done gently so someone who would rather see it as a cute Disney movie (i.e., my great-aunt, since I think the idea that it was a parody didn’t even register with her) can, while someone like me can sit next to someone like her and laugh at all the references and parodies.
To make a long story short (too late!), I really love this movie. To anyone who has yet to see this movie (or those about to see it again), look for [spoil]these Disney Princess cameos: Jodi Benson (aka the voice of Ariel) as Robert’s secretary Sam, Judy Kuhn (aka the voice of Pocahontas) as the pregnant woman with kids from Robert’s building, and Paige O’Hara (aka the voice of Belle) as Angela, one of the characters in the soap opera that Edward watches. Also, Julie Andrews lends her voice as the movie’s narrator.[/spoil]
Welp, I saw Enchanted on opening day aaand…
I LOVED it!!! I must say that it’s refreshing to see that Disney is finally getting “back into the act” as far as story quality goes. It was entrancing, jazzy, engaging, and all-around glorious as far as I’m concerned.
As usual, I have to break-down every single thing I watch or listen to, sooo…voila’:
Story: Beautiful. One of the main things that simply made the beginning for me, in this case, was the fact that it was opened up like the original princess classics, namely Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. To open it in that particular manner screamed “nostalgia”, which is exactly what I wanted to view…even though I didn’t know it. Heheh.
The first ten minutes are animated in a traditional style and effectively emphasize each characters’ intentions from the start, providing for a clear reading of each individuals’ backround.
The remainder of the film is mainly done in live-action…with the occasonal animated sequence slid into the plot-line. The climax and ending themselves are satisfying and sensical, although I was not all that crazy about them for some odd reason. Perhaps it was the style in which they was executed that kinda…made me question the circumstances? I’m not quite sure why. Eheh.
Characters: Each entity is charming in their own way, both in personality and intentions. Amy Adams portrays the character of Giselle in the most convincing fashion I’ve ever seen in my life – you really do feel as if she simply popped out of a storybook and landed in the bustling streets of New York City. James Marsden, who plays Prince Edward and who is also my favorite character in the film, is just…absolutely brilliant. I was cracking…up whenever his parts came onto the screen. Like Amy Adams, his character is also very belieavable and fun to watch. Timothy Spall (Nathaniel), Susan Sarandon (Queen Narissa), Patrick Dempsey (Robert Phillip), Jeff Bennet/Kevin Lima (Pip), and others were excellent, as well.
Animation: Wonderful. The animated sequences in this thing were off the charts, with backrounds that mimicked those of Sleeping Beauty and animation that just…sent me back to the old days. Quite lovely.
Score/Music: Fantastic. Alan Menken and Steven Schwartz are geniouses, and I can’t congratulate them enough for rolling out a most engaging collage of musical pieces to dance along to, with songs that range from fanciful and nostalgic…to sentimental and romantic…to precarious and heart-thumping.
All-in-all, it is a most fantastic production with heartfelt sequences, engaging humor, and a wonderful cast of actors and actresses alike who shine on the screen and make this film engaging to the maximum. Congratulations, Disney! After all these years…you’ve finally impressed me. 
By the by, did anyone else laugh at that part where Prince Edward goes, [spoil]“What villian is THIS?!!”, as he’s watching tv?[/spoil] My sister and I thought it was hilarious, even though hardly anyone else in the theater cracked up at it. 
Garion - My thoughts exactly, dude. It’s refreshing to relive all of those fond memories again after so long – too long, in fact.
KE - [spoil]Concerning the actor cameos: Really? Cool! Julie Andrews was the only one I recognized (after her name appeared during the end credits – heh), but that’s interesting how other actresses who had played princesses in previous Disney films were in there, as well.[/spoil] Thanks for mentioning it. 
– Mitch
KyrieEleison - Ahh, thanks for the heads up on the cameos! No wonder I heard [spoil]the echo of a Little Mermaid tune in that office scene[/spoil]!
Mitch - Great review, I agree with everything you said, except that I absolutely loved the ending. It just gives you that warm happy feeling Disney movies are supposed to give you, but times 10 because I felt so attached to the characters by that point. Lol, you said Robert was played by Robert Dempsy. I know you know it’s Patrick but I couldn’t let this go unnoticed, because I love Patrick Dempsy!! <3
Please don’t spoil the magic for those who haven’t yet seen Enchanted.
~~=oP
JamieLew - You liked it? Well, thank you! I was in a non-writing, “uninspirational” mood at the time, so I’m surprised that you thought it decent. Eheh. (snigger)
Woah! Sorry about that. Mr. Patrick Dempsey then. Fixed it, I did. I know that I’ve seen the gentleman in some other films before, but I can’t remember which ones in particular. He’s one of those invididuals that I’d describe as a perfect example of an American actor. Heheh.
PV - Whoops! My apologies for revealing spoiler information. Thank you for correcting my mistake.
– Mitch
Really? I only recognized [spoil] Jodi Beson and Julie Andrews[/spoil]. Thanks for pointing those out!!
I think Enchanted is going to be Disney’s only good idea for a very long time. They’ve had nothing but horrible ideas for quite a few years, but I think this was their best idea yet: A Disney movie that makes fun of Disney movies. I can’t wait to see it!
Finally saw it today and absolutely LOVED it! I’ll tell all later. =D
Seems like you all convinced me to want to go see it.
Mitch - Haha, don’t worry about it! He is so perfect for the role… I think a lot of people just see him as that charming dreamy type because of his role in “Grey’s Anatomy”. He’s just a dreamy guy in general!
PV - Oops, sorry! I didn’t realize that was considered a spoiler. 
I saw “Enchanted” again last night. It was even better the second time! I love the scene where [spoil]Giselle and Robert are dancing and the song “So Close” is playing… it’s such a magical and beautiful moment! [/spoil]
JamieLew - Haha. Right-o then! Whatever ya’ say.
Speaking of the film in question, I feel like seeing it a third time. There’s nothing else playing out there anyway, so I may as well spend my money on something decent…
– Mitch
I know! I’m very much considering a third time, but going to the movies costs so much! Sigh.
But Enchanted just makes me feel so happy when I come out of the theater (and a little sad, since it’s over).
JamieLew - Yeah, tell me about it. $7.00 bucks just for one person, and that’s the matinee price! Still, it is worth it. 'Tis a smile price to pay for a bag of smiles, I suppose. Heheh.
– Mitch
All right, I take back everything I said about this film being forgettable. Enchanted left a little part of me feeling so good, much like a day at Disneyland. The story is goofy, the execution is intelligent, and the ending made me so happy. I think the best part about it is Alan Menken’s score, I cannot stop hearing “True Love’s Kiss” and “So Close” in my head. “True Love’s Kiss” is the most Disney song you’ll ever hear in your life, and “So Close” is more Christmas and more memorable than most silly Christmas music (Even though it never once mentions the holidays). Enchanted uses every single convention of every single Disney Princess movie ever created, yet I never thought it was too cheesy, I just went along for the ride.
My only gripe is the villian is never once believable, but I guess she isn’t supposed to be, since this is a parody. Giselle is an amazing princess, I would love to meet her in real life…
Enchanted has now officially made it into Candy’s Favourite Movies list.