Review: DISENCHANTED, Disney Plus

Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios

Back in 2007, Disney premiered one of the most unique and creative ‘Disney Princess’ films ever. Giselle (Amy Adams) was transported from her magical land of Andalasia to New York City, and after the most iconic musical number filmed in Central Park, "That's How She Knew" that she would live happily ever after with Robert (Patrick Dempsey) in our real world...

Now though, 15 years later, Giselle is feeling lost, wishing to return to the magic she once had and sets in motion the plot of this long-awaited sequel - Disenchanted - by moving to Monroeville, home to a host of new characters and potential for more charming tongue-in-cheek references and twists on Princess film clichés that made the first film so... well... enchanting!

In the most part, Disenchanted definitely delivers on its, once again, interesting premise; as Giselle wishes for a "fairy-tale life", she inadvertently curses herself into becoming the ‘Wicked Stepmother’ causing fractures in her already struggling relationship with stepdaughter Morgan, who is now a teenager. And of course, they have until the last stroke of midnight to make everything right and if they don't, nothing will ever be as it was!

It's wonderful to see the main cast return, with fantastic chemistry; the nostalgia factor is through the roof. James Marsden (Prince Edward) is a severely underused comedic highlight, whilst Patrick Dempsey clearly revels in the camp style of the film, having so much fun with his fairy-tale persona; getting to sing and dance and go on quests suits him well. And *finally* we get to hear Idina Mendel's character sing! If a little bit generic, ‘Love Power’ serves as the emotional climax of the film, with enough key changes to please every theatre kid out there.

The songs, a collaboration with music from Alan Menkin and lyrics from Stephen Schwartz, are definitely what you'd expect from this pairing, but don't quite surprise. Whilst incredibly pleasing on the ear, not many are particularly memorable except for ‘Badder’, a duet between Giselle and Melvina Monroe (the film’s other villain played by comedy legend Maya Rudolph). This is the true highlight of the movie and will no doubt worm its way into your head instantly. If only the rest of the songs in the film could reach this level of success.

Adams and Rudolph clearly have the absolute time of their lives creating this moment, and while the material they are given can at times get lost in itself and its clichés, the cast make of it what they can and the end product is still fun. It's also enjoyable to spot all of the references to other Disney films; from props, visual gags and throwaway lines in the background, there's absolutely loads. Let us know which you noticed in the comments, Besties!

A loving attempt to recreate the magic of the first, that only slightly falls short of an incredibly high standard.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

Disenchanted is now streaming on Disney+.