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I LOVE the original Disney Enchanted movie. So to be honest, I was half excited and half skeptical when I heard about Disenchanted.
I almost turned it off in the beginning. But I pushed through and found some bright spots and some missteps. Let me know what you think…
My Honest Disenchanted Movie Review
Like the first film, there were a lot of charming nods and Easter Eggs to past Disney classics, such as:
- Fairytale Village where Belle shops
- Rapunzel’s tower
- Ray from Princess & the Frog
- Gardeners mirror the colors of Flora, Fauna & Merryweather (and later become those characters)
It’s just a little over the top. What was charming in the first film when it was just a few of the characters in an over-the-top fairytale, this flipped the script. Only this time, the main characters are older and less believable in their roles. (Or perhaps just not quite as charming).
It’s packed with star power, but not quite as witty as the original.
Standouts are James Marsden as Edward, who strangely doesn’t look like he’s aged at all. And his charm and dimwittedness is a welcome return in this sequel.
Oscar Nunez (known best from The Office) also makes a welcome cameo as a barista/magic mirror.
Disenchanted Cast
- Amy Adams as Giselle
- Patrick Dempsey as Robert
- Maya Rudolph as Malvina
- Idina Menzel as Nancy
- James Marsden as Edward
- Yvette Nicole Brown as Rosaleen (Malvina’s “right hand woman”)
- Jayma Mays as Ruby
- Gabriella Baldacchino as Morgan
- Oscar Nunez as Edgar
The Music of Disenchanted
Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz once again lend their musical talents to this film. And for the first two-thirds of the film, nothing grabbed me or gave me goosebumps. Then three songs surprised me back-to-back, leading to a powerful ending.
“Badder”
This movie finally took a turn for the better when I heard “Badder”. Think of it as a “dance battle” song between Giselle and Malvina. Not only does it embrace all the ultimate cliches of every evil queen and wicked stepmother from all the Disney fairytales, but it showcases the best of Amy Adams and Maya Rudolph.
Mark my words, this will be the next “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”.
“Love Power”
Even with every not-so-glowing word I said about Disenchanted, I couldn’t make it through Giselle’s final song, “Love Power” without tears. There’s just something about her voice and her eyes that get me every time.
Ok, one more note about the music. Anything Idina Menzel sings is powerfully magical. “Nancy” actually performs “Love Power” before Giselle, and then sings it again in the end credits. Adams and Menzel are true musical theater powerhouses.
Disney is not historically known for creating strong mother characters. But trust me on this. Don’t move during the last 30 minutes of this movie.
