Walt Disney Pictures presents a 107 minute PG rated film directed by Kevin Lima and starring Amy Adams (Giselle), Rachel Covey (Morgan), Patrick Dempsey (Robert), James Marsden (Prince Edward), Idina Menzel (Nancy), Susan Sarandon (Queen Narissa), Timothy Spall (Nathaniel) and Julie Andrews (Narrator) with a cast of animated and real extras including animals of all kinds.
The Film opens to an animated Giselle singing along with a forest full of feathered and furry creators that one day her one true love will come. Enter Prince Edward, fresh from his hunt of a large ugly troll to sweep Giselle off her feet. His stepmother, Queen Narissa, does not want Edward to find a princess since this could take away her reign as Queen in the fantasy world of Andalasia. But love at first sight does exist. At least in the movies that is! After only one day Giselle with the help of her forest creatures shows up all decked out for the wedding that every young girl only dreams of, one with Prince in a castle and song in the air that flows like the wind through the trees. Anyway, the Queen posing as an old woman entices Giselle to make one wish in the castle gardens well. And oh well, so much for that, one push and Giselle is cast from fantasy to reality and shows up in Times Square. Talk about a blow to the soft and fluffy side when Giselle emerges from the sewers wearing a white gown as big as day!
Not soon after encountering bums, bag ladies and of course all things foreign to an animated character she stumbles upon the castle casino billboard where she eventually falls in the arms of Robert and his daughter, Morgan who happen to be driving by in a cab. He brings the homeless and confused woman back to his apartment for the night until he can find her rightful abode. She soon falls asleep and in the morning awakens to see an apartment mess and sings upon her forest creatures to help her clean the place up. Grant it in New York City, Thumper and Bambi are hard to find but there are plenty of pigeons, rats, mice and roaches. What ensues at this point is not only hysterical but brilliantly projected by all characters animal and human.
When Prince Edward learns of Giselle's fate cast into the real world he and his faithful, delightful and ultra hysterical sidekick, Pip, go looking for her. Grant it in case you're wondering, Pip, is a chipmunk, who would put Alvin's acting skills to shame. This little life-like furry friend was over the top brilliant and a joy to watch from beginning to end, making this film even better than it already was with such a great human cast. In the real world, life of course is quite different than fantasy as Giselle, Edward and Pip discover. Nathaniel, who the Queen sends after them to make sure the nuptials never happen is another kick to the funny bone, creating thrilling and out right laughable antics between he and Pip. Filled with explosions of music, dance and pure entertainment as only Disney can do this film is a pure treasure.
Robert, who is about to ask the hand in marriage of his girlfriend of five years, Nancy, is taken pleasantly by surprise of his inner feelings for this mysterious Giselle and soon falls in love. There are many moments stolen from other Disney films that only add to the witty writing in this story, at times making you laugh out load and others stare in amazement at the sheer beauty of the characters and the scenes that take you on a wonderful and amazing magical journey.
Albeit, in the end when the Queen must take matters in her own wretched little claws the film takes a turn for the dark side at the King and Queens Ball. Thankfully though the kiss of one true love, the most powerful thing in the world, saves the day making this story finish happily ever after for all on the screen and in the theatre.
Amy Adams was phenomenal in this role as Giselle making you believe that every experience in the real world was truly her first. Dempsey was dreamy of course and perfect to play the true knight in shining armor. Marsden was not only perfect in animated form but just as theatrical in human making you believe that fairy tales do come true. Perfect casting of Sarandon, not that she reminds me of a witch or evil Queen but she pulled it off right down to the mole on her scary face. Nice cinematic moments filmed throughout New York with a beautiful score this film will keep you smiling and laughing from start to finish. Overall, the story appeals to young and old, minus some slight formatted blunders in the editing that most people will not even notice, this film is a must see for all this holiday season.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.