Eye Candy #71 - "Enchanted"

Enchanted: Really enjoyed this movie a lot more than I thought I would. I do tend to favor those Disney movies which are at least a little self-referential and don't take themselves too seriously, and this certainly fits that mold. The story of a fairy tale princess sent to a place "where there are no happy endings" (New York City) by her evil stepmother so she can't marry her prince and live happily ever after. However, once there, she begins to affect the people she meets just as much as her new environment affects her. Part animation, part musical, part romantic comedy, this is arguably the best Disney live-action movie in a LOOOOONNG time, not to mention some of their best animation work since the mid-to-late 90's. It's funny, it's sweet, and the songs that seemed fairly blase during the Oscars (3 songs were nominated, only 2 of which should have been) fit better and are much more effective in their context. It's just fun. The two leads, Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey, really work well together, James Marsden is really in-step with his over-the-top prince. Only weak link is Susan Sarandon who as an animated evil stepmother as fine, but the live action bits do suffer. Also, why cast Idina Menzel, a Tony Award-winning musical stage veteran in a NON-SINGING role? Seems like a waste of resources. It's just good fun. And the animated chipmunk Pipp almost steals the entire movie. Woodchuck sez, "Me likey".