‘Disenchanted’ – Best Intentions May Not Make the Best Choices

In case you didn’t watch it as many times as we did, Enchanted is the endearing reimagined fairy tale of the young girl from Andalasia, Giselle (Amy Adams).

Magically, she is transported to real-life New York City where she finds her Prince Charming, Robert (Patrick Dempsey).

Fifteen years later, the original cast has reunited for Disenchanted. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz have also returned as songwriters.

Needless to say, you could hear an audible scream of giddiness at our house – and worldwide – for bringing us back to Giselle and Robert.

Ten years on from Enchanted, they are still living in New York City after their initial meeting at that Manhattan billboard.

They have a good life with their daughter Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino), and new addition to the family, baby Sofia.

The four begin to feel cramped in the city and Giselle yearns for more space for their growing brood.

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This inspires them to move to the suburban life. Even though their new house is not in the best condition, they try to make the best of it… except for Morgan, who misses life in the city.

Enter King Edward (James Marsden) and Queen Nancy (Idina Menzel) from Andalasia, who visit and gift Sofia with a wish-granting wand.

This leads Giselle to wish that life would be like a fairy tale for her family in their new town, which seems idyllic until things do not turn out as planned.

As the years have progressed during development of this sequel, the creative team has attempted to capture the original film’s magic while also explaining how things have changed in our world.

Director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) and the composers manage to do this, while gracefully ageing each character and maturing the story.

However, that’s not to say that young and old can equally appreciate this latest fairy-tale chapter. This outing is more for aging fans and their parents.

Adams and the cast still have the same whimsy and good-naturedness of Enchanted, while showing in lyrical manner how they need to adapt to the realities of this harsh world.

While Maya Rudolph (Bridemaids) is perfectly cast as the antagonistic, villainous queen Malvina, you will desire more of Marsden and Menzel as the Andalasian influence throughout this version.

Again, everything is set in a Disney-like atmosphere with many references to the production house’s back catalogue.

This all is done in good fun and makes for an enjoyable game of trying to find the connections with the beloved stories they are sending up.

No matter what else happens in Disenchanted, you know it will rise or fall upon Amy Adam’s talents.

As with Enchanted, she proves once again she can carry this storyline through to the end.

Albeit predictable at times, the Disenchanted ride will appeal to devoted followers while also satisfying newer viewers.

Reel Dialogue: Be careful what you wish for in life

Disenchanted shows us that, sometimes, the best intentions may not make the best choices.

Human or fairy tale wisdom is shown to come through magic wands, animated chipmunks, and fairy tale royalty in Disenchanted.

Even though these sources of wisdom can be innovative in a movie, characters still need to make best choices.

That brings us back to the niggling issue of seeking wisdom. Can it be found in this life?

The first step is finding the source of all wisdom and who holds such insights.

The Bible says that the beginning of knowledge begins in fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)

This means the first place to go for insights is to God, who gives out his wisdom freely to all who seek after him and listen.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

This revelation is a groundbreaking concept, that all knowledge and wisdom can be found in God of the Bible. It is there for the taking, but there is a catch. Belief.

To access this infinite pool of enlightenment and salvation, a person has to believe in the source. You must make your first “good choice” to gain the universe’s wisdom.

Believe in the God of the Bible.

Article supplied with thanks to Third Space.

Images: Publicity stills

About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.