Enchanted [Blu-ray] (DVD)

Description

Life is idyllic in the fairytale world where conflict is minimal and breaking into song solves every problem, but what happens when a princess from the fairy world gets magically transported into the real world? Enchanted begins in the animated fairytale world of Andalasia where Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is destined to marry Prince Edward (James Marsden) and live happily ever after. Problem is, Edward's step-mother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) doesn't want to give up the throne and will do anything to get Giselle out of Edward's life. Queen Narissa's solution is to push Giselle into a well that magically lands Giselle smack in the middle of the real world--the center of Time Square in New York City, to be exact. This launches the live-action portion of the film where Giselle immediately realizes that things are frighteningly different in this new world and that she is ill-prepared for the callous ways of the people who inhabit it. Giselle finds herself alone on a stormy night in the wrong end of town, but a chance encounter with Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his princess-loving daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey) leads to a warm, safe place to spend the night and the beginnings of a complicated, yet compelling relationship. As Giselle begins to question the fairy-tale truths she's always inherently believed, Robert's outlook on life and love also begins to change significantly. Parallels to the classic Disney fairytales, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty abound in the form of a King's and Queen's ball, small animals and rodents who clean house when called, the threat of poisoned apples, characters impulsively breaking into song, and the power of the kiss of true love and the absurd juxtaposition of fairytale idealism and stark reality is hilariously funny. Features music by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz of Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame fame, Wicked's Broadway Elpheba Idina Menzel as Nancy, and even a brief appearance by former Princess voice talent Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas). Enchanted is one of the best, most entertaining Disney films of the year. (Ages 6 and older with parental guidance due to some scary images and mild innuendo) --Tami Horiuchi On the DVD
The Blu-ray edition of Enchanted is packed with special features including the exclusive-to-Blu-ray "D-Files," which highlight the multitude of references to other classic Disney films with an interactive trivia game that's fun for all ages. Much more engaging than your typical pop-up facts, this feature punctuates the action in the film with interactive questions: Which classic Disney film inspired the soap bubble? The coach scenes? What Disney song inspired the "Happy Working Song?" Which Disney films feature evil stepmothers? Correct answers earn viewers bonus interview footage with director Kevin Lima, songwriter Alan Menken, lyricist Stephen Schwarz, stars Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey, and a host of others as well as side by side comparisons of scenes from classic Disney movies and Enchanted. Other bonus features include a 17-minute exploration of the technical issues involved in the three biggest scenes in the movie; highlighting the challenges of combining multiple disciplines like CGI, live-action, casting animals and children, visual effects, and the choreography of a huge variety of dancers, skaters, and stilt-walkers in one film and, often, in a single scene. The animated, pop-up adventure "Pip's Predicament" illustrates Pip's behind-the-scenes role in leading the Prince out of Andalasia into New York and is sure to captivate young children. Two minutes of bloopers, six deleted scenes, and the Carrie Underwood music video "Ever After" round out the special features. --Tami Horiuchi Beyond Enchanted