Maybe I’m Just Jaded…
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
I went Thanksgiving week to go see the movie ENCHANTED. Now, first of all, you guys know I’m an absolute Disney FREAK. I love everything related to the movies, the theme parks, the clothing, the books, the music. If it’s Disney, I’m there. I can’t say I’ve liked every movie they’ve ever made, but I certainly expected to enjoy ENCHANTED.
First, the reviews were fabulous. Even Gayle King (Oprah’s friend) was raving on her radio show.
Second, it has Patrick Dempsey. I don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy regularly, but when I do, this guy just melts my insides. He’s so adorable! Cast him in a somewhat princely role and what’s not to love?
Third, Susan Sarandon is the wicked witch and Peter Pettigrew, er, Timothy Spall, as her henchmen. Excellent casting. Both are fabulous actors.
Fourth, it’s Disney, for Pete’s sake! Disney doing a riff on it’s own ever-growing popular line of princess this and princess that.
So ready was I to love this movie!
And yet…
…flatter than a pancake.
It was cute, I’ll give it that. I’m certainly not telling people not to go see it, but this was one movie where my expectations did not match the experience. Amy Adams and James Marsden were fabulous. I take absolutely no issue with the acting or singing in this film. Top notch all around. I didn’t realize until five minutes ago that the woman who played Nancy and who sadly, never sings, (who ends up being the princess in the end…sorry to spoil it if you haven’t seen it!) played Elpheba (the Wicked Witch) in the original Broadway production of WICKED…and the irony there is just delightful.
But the story just didn’t hold together.
How come the henchman adapted so well to modern New York City?
And though I totally buy the princess breaking out into song in the middle of Central Park and no one thinking this is the least bit unusual (it is New York, after all), how come everyone else suddenly knew all the words and dance steps?
And SPOILER ALERT…
Why did modern career-girl Nancy, after being happily engaged to practical, logical, un-romantic Patrick Dempsey for five years, suddenly want a prince so badly she chucks it all to live in a make-believe world?
I could go on, but honestly, that was enough to ruin the whole story for me. I sat there and watched and I smiled, but I’m not foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the DVD (unlike, let’s say NEXT WEEK when HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX comes out! Wahoo!)
Luckily for me, my daughter is not a princess girl. Okay, she did go as Princess Leia for Halloween, but I think that’s only because she got to carry a big gun. She was Mulan a few years ago, but Mulan, technically, was a soldier, not a princess and despite her beautiful kimono, she carried a big, honking sword. The other “princess” my daughter has emulated for Halloween was Pochohantas. No weaponry there, but she ran fast and saved the hero’s life…I mean…you do see the pattern, don’t you?
She liked the movie, but didn’t ask to go back like she did the minute we left Ratatouille, which is the last Disney film we saw (and have since seen about a gazillion times because the DVD was released a few weeks ago.) THAT ONE is worth seeing people. But trust me when I warn you that by the first half, you will be hungry for soup. By the end, you’ll want your veggies. It’s really cool how that happens.
Seen any good movies lately? Asking for any particular DVDs in your Christmas stocking or for Hanukkah?
mastree: :happychanuk: :elf: mastree:
Yesterday, I mentioned in comments that the Plotmonkeys have a special offer we’re kicking off today–if you buy a book (or books) by any of the Plotmonkeys, either as a gift for yourself or for someone you love for the holidays–we will send you an autographed bookplate (for the author you bought) and a Plotmonkey bookmark!
Just email me the receipt (julie @ julieleto.com) if you order online or send me a copy of your store receipt to:
PO Box 270885
Tampa FL 33688-0885
We’ll pay the postage to send you the bookplates and bookmarks! Don’t forget to send your snail mail address, too!
Remember, Plotmonkeys make great gifts! 
