Chasing Amy
Once upon a time, there was a fairy tale cartoon character called Gisele (Amy Adams) who was banished to the real world, specifically New York City, U.S.A., before she could marry her Prince Charming, Edward (James Marsden), no thanks to Edward’s stepmother, witch-cum-Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon). The naiveté Gisele miraculously avoided rape and murder despite prancing about the mean streets of New York in a cleavage-baring gown, but ends up literally in the good hands of rational-thinking lawyer Robert Philip (Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey). One thing leads to another, and soon Gisele starts to fall for Robert. Meanwhile, Edward and the Queen’s henchman comes to town; one to marry her, the other to poison her.
Is it just me, or is there something a little perverse about a man who fancies a woman with a child-like mind? Sure, Gisele is a Disney cartoon made flesh, but her human admirer really didn’t know what’s going on till Susan Sarandon changes into a 3D-animated dragon right in front of his eyes. He’s already into the girl even before she begins to develop any semblance of a “real” human character (cue scene of Gisele reading an “inspirational women in history” book). I wonder what he was thinking during her “I’m happy that I’m angry” moment. Probably too busy reminiscing the other time she fell on top of him with nothing but a towel on to notice how mentally-disturbed this woman is.
Anyway, it’s probably just me, because everybody seems to have enjoyed the movie and loved the characters. Ignore the points I made above, and Enchanted becomes a pretty good lighthearted romantic comedy cum Disney cartoon parody. The leads have great chemistry together, and is backed by a hilarious James Marsden (Cyclops from X-men) playing a dimwitted prince, not unlike Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, but without the evilness. But, come on, Disney people, surely you can do better than that lousy showdown at the end? - BMF
List of Disney references in the movie
(partially regurgitated from Wikipedia and IMDb.com)
- Animals often help the Princesses do chores, sewing, and other tasks. Giselle continues this tradition. She also calls the animals in a similar way that Snow White does.
- In both the animated and real world, Queen Narissa's transformation into a dragon is done similarly to Maleficent's transformation in Sleeping Beauty.
- The troll is wearing remnants of other Disney Princess' dresses as a loincloth. Among the remnants are sections for Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. His earrings are made from Ariel’s shells.
- The actresses who provided the voices for three previous animated Disney princesses make appearances in the film: Jodi Benson (‘Ariel’ in The Little Mermaid (1989)), Paige O'Hara (‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast (1991)), and Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas (1995)). Also, Julie Andrews, who starred as the title character in Disney's live-action Mary Poppins (1964), provides her voice here as the Narrator.
- The bus driver's hair is shaped like Mickey Mouse's ears.
Directed by Kevin Lima (102 Dalmations) and written by Bill Kelly (Premonition). Stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey and Susan Sarandon. Traditional 2D animation by James Baxter Animation. |
