DISENCHANTED – Review

With a few more weeks in the holiday season, you just know that this weekend’s new take on Pinocchio wouldn’t be the only family-aimed musical family feature based on a fairy tale. Well, “kind of” as this new film is a sequel to an unexpected hit from fifteen years ago that was “inspired” by those lush film fables with hummable tunes that Disney specialized in. In many ways, it was a parody of them, which is ironic since the “mouse house” produced it. Now many fans of that flick may wonder about those 2007 characters. Could they possibly change and become DISENCHANTED?

This follow-up actually begins in the fully-animated magical world of Andalasia, where the chipmunk Pip (voice of Griffin Newman) reads his twin boys a bedtime story, which, conveniently for “newbies” is a recap of the original film. But the lads implore their pop to tell them just what happens after “happily ever after”. Jump ahead ten years. Of course, human Giselle (Amy Adams) has wed her “prince”, lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey). After she gives birth to their daughter Sophia, the NYC apartment feels a bit cramped with them along with their now-teenaged daughter Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino). The best plan is a new home out of the city and into the new suburban community of Monroeville, much to the annoyance of Morgan. They arrive at the still-in-progress two-story house and soon see a golden glow emanating from the backyard “wishing well”. Suddenly the glow fades to reveal old friends Prince Edward (James Marsden) and his bride Nancy (Idina Menzel). And they brought a fabulous housewarming present, a small chest containing a “wishing wand”. After they depart, Giselle accompanies Morgan to her first day of high school. There they meet the town’s unofficial “queen”, the imposing Malvina (Maya Rudolph), and her two helpers, Rosaleen (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Ruby (Jayma May). Giselle’s efforts to help Morgan be popular at school prove disastrous, prompting her to take the train back to the city, and call her a “wicked stepmother”. The upset former princess decides to use that wand, wishing for a “fairy tale life”. Then Monroeville magically transforms into the medieval kingdom of Morolasia under the rule of its actual queen Malvina. Robert’s a dashing knight in search of challenges, while Morgan is a sweet Cinderella-type bubbly lass. All’s well it seems until Giselle begins acting on sudden nasty awful impulses. Could she be turning into a real wicked stepmother? Can this spell be broken, even after Malvina and her pals snatch the wand?

Despite the passing of fifteen years (kinda’ confusing that it’s just ten in the story), Adams’ cheery smile lights up the screen, projecting a sunny optimism that’s oblivious to those around her. But here we get the flip side of Giselle as Adams relishes going “dark” and tossing off insults with a mischievous grin. Oh, and she can still belt out a show-stoppin’ song. Dempsy also plays with his role as Robert as he indulges his slapstick side as a klutzy swashbuckler, though he can kick up his heels, er..boots, during a big number. Baldacchino is a new addition (Rachel Duff from the first flick has “aged out”, though she still scores a brief cameo) believable as the sullen surly teen and bouncy and bubbly when “happied-up” by the wand. Also enjoying a walk on the wild, wicked side is Rudolph (though we never see the “nice” side) who’s a “lifestyle” diva in the real world, and a conniving demoness as a true fantasy villainess, even dancing about as she conjures and plots, and treats us to her song stylings. Of course, there’s no match vocally for the superb Menzel whose role is much smaller this time but gets to treat us to her perfect “pipes’ with a couple of melodies. Plus she makes a great duo with the energetic and goofy Marsden as the sweet but daft prince. Speaking of pairs, Brown and Mays are terrific as the toading, bickering hench…women. Oh, and there are a couple of wonderful comic actors in brief roles. Oscar Nunez is a simpering, fawning barista and a magic mirror, while Alan Tudyk is a loopy delight as a talking magic scroll.

All those actors, new and old, seem to be relishing their roles, the sets are eye-popping along with the costumes, and the songs from Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menkin are hummable and pleasant. But something feels just off. Perhaps it’s missing some of that 2007 magic. Maybe the concept feels a bit..worn. Aha, maybe it’s the loss of a major character, the Big Apple itself. Giselle’s “fish out of water” bumping up against New Yorkers that have no patience for fantasy created a great backdrop for romance and comedy. The “wickining” of her this time out gives this film a nice twist, but we’re waiting for her to “snap out of it”. And Monroeville or Monrolasia is no match for NYC, as its modern version feels out of any teen high school story. New director Adam Shankman (taking over from Kevin Lima) really excels with the big musical numbers and the slapstick sequences, but the mother/daughter clashes just feel flat. And the lack of real interplay between reality and the classic 2-D style animation is very missed here. Hardcore fans of the first flick may enjoy an update on the characters, but those looking for some of the former’s fun and frolics, may (after multiple endings) feel more than a bit DISENCHANTED.

2 Out of 4

DISENCHANTED is now streaming exclusively on Disney+