Less Enchanted with Disney DISENCHANTED

Disenchanted is a lively and entertaining musical sequel that may please fans of the original Enchanted, bringing beloved fairy tale characters back to the screen for a new chapter in their “happily ever after”. Directed by Adam Shankman with a screenplay by Brigitte Hales, the story picks up fifteen years after the events of the first movie. Giselle (Amy Adams) struggles with the realities of life in the real world, dealing with the challenges of motherhood to her stepdaughter Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) and 1-year-old daughter Sofia.

Giselle has become disillusioned with life in New York City, so she and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) move their family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more fairy tale life. Giselle quickly discovers that Suburbia has its own hierarchy and associated rules, reigned over by queen bee, Malvina Monroe (Maya Rudolph), who makes Giselle feel more out of place than ever. She invokes the magic of Andalasia, accidentally transforming Monroeville and placing its inhabitants into a real-life fairy tale. This change jeopardizes the future of her family, her new home, and Andalasia. She’s faced with a race against the clock to reverse the spell and stave off an impending catastrophe before it’s too late.

Disenchanted features a talented and charismatic cast, led by the always delightful Amy Adams, with James Marsden as Prince Edward (James Marsden) and Idina Menzel as Nancy Tremaine. Lovable chipmunk Pip (voiced by Griffin Newman) and a cameo with Alan Tudyk as Scroll are delightful highlights.

The musical numbers are catchy and well-staged, and the film's colorful and magical visuals are sure to enchant audiences of all ages. The visual effects and production design are exemplary, with the colorful and vibrant world of Andalasia and costumes serving as a feast for the eyes.

While Disenchanted has its moments of charm and humor, it falls short in key areas. The film suffers significantly from some pacing issues, with a lack of depth in its characters. While the sequel is entertaining, it lacks the emotional resonance and heart of the original film. Some of the jokes and coarse humor fall flat, and the film's attempts at social commentary appear a bit heavy-handed and forced. Additionally, the film's reliance on nostalgia and callbacks to the original are overly derivative. The filmmakers miss an opportunity to evolve the story and characters in new directions.

Disenchanted offers moments of fun and charm tempered by uneven storytelling and pacing issues. While it is certainly worth a watch for fans of the original film, it may not be the magical experience that some viewers are hoping for. Personally, I felt a bit disenchanted with this movie which pales by comparison to Disney’s box office hit Enchanted.