Disenchanted Parent Guide

With an active baby, a sarcastic teenage daughter, and an apartment bursting at the seams, Giselle (Amy Adams) is starting to wonder why “happily ever after” takes so much work. Determined to regain the bliss of her early days in New York City while also seeking the enchantment of her animated Andalasian home, Giselle decides that her family needs a fresh start in greener pastures. Robert (Patrick Dempsey) agrees and the family packs up and moves to Monroeville, a leafy suburb with a “ye olde towne” vibe.

Despite Giselle’s fond hopes, the move doesn’t immediately deliver a boost of happiness. Their pink villa is only partially renovated and barely functional, the local moms are weirdly intimidating, and daughter Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) is bitterly dissatisfied with the move. Desperate to make everything right, Giselle reaches for a fairytale solution. As she makes a heartfelt wish, she draws on powerful magic that not only enchants Monroeville, but also has disastrous effects on Andalasia and transforms her own life. With magic spiraling towards disaster, it’s going to be up to Morgan to save the day.

The original Enchanted movie debuted in 2007 and was a hit. With its engaging musical numbers, memorable characters, and successful crossover from the animated world of Andalasia and the gritty reality of New York City, it appealed to a wide range of family audiences. Disenchanted is less sure-handed.

The most serious problem with this production is its pacing. The first third of the story is frankly boring. The script tries to develop the characters, explain why they are living in the suburbs, and build up a sense of angst, but it simply lacks interest. We’ve all heard the stories of adolescent insecurity and suburban ennui before so none of it feels fresh. The movie also feels bloated by interminable song and dance numbers, many of which feel labored and lack the charm of the original film’s soundtrack. Only when Giselle makes her wish does the fun kick in. The final act of the movie is a rollicking good time with fairytale tropes galore, action that bounces between Monroeville and Andalasia, and a script that recaptures the good-hearted screwball vibe of the first film.

If you can stick out the boring beginning of the movie, it also delivers solid messages about courage, love, memories, and family devotion. I must also point out that as a bonus, none of the main characters have been starved or corseted into size 0 dresses. Parents of daughters will appreciate that this film doesn’t foist unrealistic body images on the youngsters who watch it.

The downside is some negative content: two minor profanities and many, many moments of peril, some of which will frighten young children. There’s nothing as scary as the first movie’s murderous dragon, but there are repeated scenes of fiery destruction and vicious vines that erupt from the ground to wreak destruction. That said, kids who love the first film will also enjoy the sequel. Parents may be less enchanted, but at least they will find some entertainment here – and just might find themselves identifying with Giselle as she tries to find her “happily ever after” in a workaday world.