Director: Kevin Lima
Starring: James Marsden, Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey
‘A Marvellous Musical’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of James Marsden. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Marsden has become a beloved icon. Whether it is comic-book heroes, news reporters or star-crossed lovers, Marsden has played several strong characters. Arguably, Marsden’s finest strength as an actor is his charisma. He is one of those actors that has often excelled playing characters with a charismatic nature. Marsden has never been afraid taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which are not always likeable. An actor with commitment to his craft, Marsden has proven an iconic actor in entertainment. Through his ability to create strong characters which audiences can easily relate to, Marsden has become a commemorated actor that audiences value. Although he is often sidelined to supporting roles, Marsden has built a commemorated legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Marsden has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Marsden and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Enchanted” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Kevin Lima’s movie has stood test of time as a fantasy classic. It with breathtaking musical sequences, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best musicals ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by James Marsden, who embodies a prince seeking to reunite with his long lost love in a doomed city. Ultimately, what makes “Enchanted” a classic movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most Disney animated movies, it discusses strong themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. A riveting fantasy classic about princesses, there’s many strong reasons why “Enchanted” is a great film worth seeing.
Based on the classic fairytale, “Enchanted” tells the story of a princess transported to a world that’s enchanted. Amy Adams plays Giselle, a magical princess with dreams of finding love. Giselle is keen to get married to Prince Edward (James Marsden), whom she loves dearly. However, Giselle’s life forever changes when she is transported to the real world causing disaster. Lost in New York City far away from home, Giselle struggles to find her place in a foreign country. Giselle finds a romantic partner in Robert (Patrick Dempsey), a businessman that introduced her to the real world. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Giselle questions whether she will ever find a commemorated lover. Feeling lost in a world which is far from enchanted, Giselle questions whether she can achieve dreams without love that she has always wanted.
Kevin Lima is fascinated with lives of classic Disney characters that are enchanted. Before he made “Enchanted”, Lima was well-known for creating movies about classic animated characters. His iconic movie “A Goofy Movie” honoured the legacy of the cartoon character Goofy. With “Enchanted”, however, he created her first ever musical. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of princesses in a musical, but he succeeded immensely. Using spellbinding cinematography, Lima captures the lives of princesses struggling to discover happiness in reality. Lima effectively employs point of view shots to capture the tensions of princesses. For instance, point of views shots enhance the real world transportation scene. During this intense scene, Giselle struggles to find her place being transported into the real world. One admired point of view shots which capture the tensions that princesses in danger are facing. Point of view shots are tricky to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” proved clearly, point of view shots elevate films about scary sharks. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Lima captures tensions that princesses in the real world are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Enchanted” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Robert Wise’s “The Sound of Music”, Lima effectively uses magical realism to stage musical sequences which are captivating. For instance, magical realism elevates the You Know She Loves You musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Giselle and Robert sing a memorable melody about need to find a romantic partner. Using magical realism, Lima creates a strong character that audiences can easily relate to. Magical realism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, magical realism elevates musicals about L.A. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Alan Menken’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a warm atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that princesses bear. Through strong production, Lima captures princesses which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Enchanted” a classic fantasy film that is engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture the tensions faced by princesses seeking to survive in the real world. Throughout the movie, Giselle’s dress becomes a symbol of her association with her magical world of Anastasia. For instance, symbolism elevates the real world scene. During this memorable scene, Giselle faces a dilemma when she’s transported to the real world in a situation ruining her clothes forever. One appreciates symbolism of dresses that captures Giselle’s association with her magical world. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” franchise suggested, symbolism enhances fantastical literature adaptations. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested symbols elevate commemorated prison dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Lima captures commemorated princesses facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
James Marsden delivers one of his best career performances as Prince Edward. Marsden first earned appreciation for playing iconic heroes in classic comic-book films. With “Enchanted”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a prince seeking to find his place in the real world but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his memorable role. It’s a role which gave the actor a rare chance to showcase aptitude for singing melodies he hadn’t shown before in his career. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, depression and trauma of a hero on a journey to find his identity. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Amy Adams is amazing as a princess seeking to discover her identity in the real world which causes catastrophe. Adams has often had an aptitude for playing emotional women facing stress, and “Enchanted” showcased her finest strengths as an actress. Whether she’s flirting with the prince or struggling to adjust towards her surroundings in the real world, Adams uses her strong body language to craft a character that’s engaging. It’s a great role that gave the actress the rare chance to showcase musical talents she hadn’t shown before in her career. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actresses working in the industry today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Timothy Spall. As a villainous henchman, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “Enchanted” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing princesses which are conflicted. Unlike most Disney movies that are targeted to children only, it discusses themes everyone would relate to. It tackles themes of identity, marriage and immigration which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the animated Disney movie to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding the importance of finding one’s identity which would definitely without a doubt resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Enchanted” is one of those rare commemorated Disney movies that everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of James Marsden will definitely enjoy “Enchanted” and so will movie-goers which seek enjoyable entertainment. A captivating classic about great princesses with magic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking fantasy film about enchanted princesses transported to real worlds that are conflicted, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has never lost his abilities to leave audiences captivated earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which definitely without a doubt deserve to be celebrated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 