DISENCHANTED

DISENCHANTED is a sequel on Disney+ to the wonderful 2007 theatrical movie ENCHANTED. Fifteen years have passed. Giselle has grown tired of Manhattan. The family sets out to find a fairytale life in the suburbs. They soon discover, however, that it’s anything but perfect. Giselle is given a magic wand, and in a desperate moment she wishes her life were a fairytale. The wish sucks the magic out of Andalusia and changes everyone around her. Giselle becomes someone she does not want to be. She must find a way to reverse the wish before it’s too late. There are some magic spells along with violence and cruelty, so caution is recommended for younger children.

Giselle and her husband, Robert, have become disillusioned in life. Manhattan has lost its charm for the wide-eyed dreamer. Giselle believes her family can find happily ever after in a house shaped like a castle in the suburbs. They have a new baby, Sofia. Giselle’s stepdaughter, Morgan, has become is a sarcastic, angsty teenager who’s angry she’s had to uproot her life and move. Giselle tries to connect with Morgan, but Morgan is no longer interested in Giselle’s fairytale stories. Giselle doesn’t feel as if she can do anything right. She laments that she can no longer sing the right song to make Morgan happy. To make matters worse, Morgan goes to school and is harassed by mean girls. She doesn’t feel she can fit in with them. Meanwhile, Robert struggles with his long commute to work. Even Giselle becomes discouraged when she’s ostracized by the snobish women running the PTA.

When Prince Edward and Nancy visit from Andalusia, they gift Sofia with a magic wand. Nothing is working out well for Giselle and her family. Pressure builds. Giselle uses the wand to wish for a fairytale life. In doing so, she drains the life from Andalusia, which threatens its entire existence. She also turns herself into the villain. Thus, since she’s the stepmother to Morgan, Giselle becomes evil in the fairytale world she creates. The new Giselle competes with Malvina Monroe for the role of evil queen. She is completely lost in her new identity in the fairytale land. It’s up to Morgan to break the spell by helping Giselle remember the love she has in her heart for her family. Only love can save the day.

DISENCHANTED has some of the same magic as ENCHANTED. The movie wanders a bit and drags in places. However, Amy Adams gives a fun-filled performance. Idina Menzel knocks it out of the park with her vocals. The costumes are colorful and superb. Music, dancing, and comical parody make DISENCHANTED a fun movie for the whole family.

DISENCHANTGED has a strong redemptive, moral worldview. It extols family, the power of love and sacrifice. Also, good defeats evil. However, there are some magic spells and violence. So, some caution is advised for younger children.