I was not lucky enough to see Enchanted in the theaters. I heard about how wonderful Amy Adams was and how the whole film just worked from start to finish. Well now that I’ve seen it on DVD, all I can say is go out and get a copy right away. The movie is sweet, endearing and enchanting for every minute it’s on screen. It’s not going to go down as the best Disney film ever, but it ranks right up there with some of the classics.
Also of note is the use of animation that bookends the film’s New York City setting. This was the first hand drawn animation from the Mouse House as they embarked on a journey back to regularly using hand drawn animation in feature animation. I was impressed with how close the animation was to some of the classics, a move that was intentional, but I don’t want to give away too much of the film. Let’s just say that the number of ‘homages’ to other Disney films is substantial.
The Enchanted DVD comes with a few excellent extras that make the DVD a pleasurable viewing experience. Deleted Scenes, Bloopers, and a behind the scenes featurette will keep your interest. Sadly, there is no director’s commentary from director Kevin Lima. I know he’s a funny and intelligent man and think knowing his views and choices would be a nice addition.
The Full Press Release is below the cut
ENCHANTED
An acclaimed new Disney classic with a hilarious twist casts a heartwarming spell when Enchanted comes to stunning Blu-ray High Definition and DVD on March 18, 2008 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Shining a witty and charming new light on a beloved genre, Enchanted is a modern day musical fairytale filled with uproarious surprises that the entire family will enjoy again and again. Both the Blu-ray Disc and DVD boast a vast kingdom of entertaining bonus features, including the trivia based BD-Java feature “The D-Files” available only on Blu-ray Disc.
Enchanted cleverly combines heartfelt romance with a gentle spoof of Disney films of the past as an animated heroine from a far away kingdom finds herself transformed into a real live woman in bustling New York City. Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams (2005 nominee for Best Supporting Actress; Junebug) leads an all-star cast as the lovely Giselle, a storybook princess-to-be lost in the Big Apple. Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon (1996 winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Dead Man Walking) plays the evil sorceress Narissa who exiles Giselle from her fairytale kingdom and James Marsden (Hairspray) is her handsome prince, with
Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as a contemporary knight in shining armor and Tony Award® winner Idina Menzel (2004 winner for Best Leading Actress in a Musical; “Wicked”) as his girlfriend Nancy who suspects Giselle might just be a little too good to be true.
The film features dazzling animation sequences, spectacular costumes and unforgettable songs by award-winning composers Alan Menken (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
BONUS FEATURES
The Enchanted DVD and Blu-ray Disc will magically transport viewers from Giselle’s animated home in Andalasia to live-action Times Square and back for an array of enchanting bonus features, including:
PIP’S PREDICAMENT: A POP-UP ADVENTURE – Giselle’s chipmunk friend Pip stars in this new short-magical pop-up, storybook style. While Giselle gets used to life in New York, Pip embarks on a daring mission to rescue Prince Edward.
FANTASY COMES TO LIFE – Discover the cinematic wizardry that went into the making of Enchanted in three behind-the-scenes featurettes: “Happy Working Song,” “That’s How You Know,” “A Blast at the Ball”
DELETED SCENES – Including exclusive intros by director Kevin Lima
BLOOPERS
The Blu-ray Disc contains all of the above, plus:
THE D-FILES -Enchanted is loaded with witty hidden references to classic Disney films. The D-Files: rewards players who spot them with a short featurette showing the original Disney reference. High scoring players are treated to three extra special videos: “So Close,” “Making Ever Ever After” and “True Love’s Kiss.”
Enchanted begins in the animated fairytale land of Andalasia where the charming and perky Giselle (Amy Adams) instantly captures the heart of the dashing Prince Edward (James Marsden). Desperate to keep the young lovers apart in order to preserve her control of the throne, the prince’s evil mother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) transports Giselle from her whimsical homeland to the worst place she can think of-Times Square. Suddenly transformed from animated beauty into flesh and blood girl, the comely lass twirls her way through the urban jungle, blissfully unaware that dreams don’t always come true. Rescued from the streets by divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey), who suspects she’d be better off in Bellevue, and pursued by Edward, who finds that a sword is useless against a modern day dragon’er, make that city bus-the eternally optimistic Giselle starts to wonder if “happily ever after” is what she really wants.
Feature run time: 107 minutes
Rated: PG U.S., G Canada
Technical specifications may only apply to feature
Aspect ratio: DVD offered with FF (1.33:1) or WS (2.35:1), Blu-ray-WS (2.35:1)
Sound: DVD-5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Blu-ray-Dolby Tru HD
Languages: English, Spanish and French