by Rianne Hill Soriano

Created on: October 04, 2010

Disney's Enchanted is as good as its name. It is one of the best postmodernist fairy tale to grace the big screen. This shimmering pastiche is obvious, but inescapable. 

Under director Kevin Lima's inspired helm, this heart-winning musical comedy is a new breed of fairy tale that pokes fun at Disney's animated classics without any hurting. There are no cheap or vulgar jokes or any treacle of whatever kind.

As a sweet, lighthearted antithesis to what is commonly shown in cinemas nowadays, this sardonic fairy tale unites animation and live action, fantasy and realism, practicality and dreaminess, and CG effects and hand-drawn elements all suitable for kids and adults alike. Essentially postmodernist and deconstructionist, the film indulges in all the dreams of fairy tale romance while making some 21st century adjustments. It equally sprinkles fairy dust to its world of traditional fairy tale animation and its contemporary New York counterpart. As an expert blend of comedy, romance, and adventure, it proves that a motion picture can be light and frothy, yet still intelligent and emotionally rewarding. 

Enchanted takes its "enchanting premise" and prances away with it, and in turn, holds the audience happily captive. An irresistible blend of screwball comedy and fairy tale musical, it manages a warm, charming story that makes itself much more than a simple satire. It successfully recasts the traditional, sugar-spun Disney fairy tales into a winning, modern-day opus spinning its story with the needed puffiness as provided by its sharp and clever script, enchanting direction, and charming performances.

This witty romantic fantasy romp playfully spoofs animated-fantasy formula with unabashedly romantic goofiness and clever winks. All of these delightfully reworks the many old Disney favorites while incorporating fresh twists of its own as it commutes between Disney's patented cartoon universe and the real world. This surprisingly sophisticated riff on animated fairy tale movie clichés is one of those rare pieces that will actually work for all ages: not only kid-friendly but a guilty pleasure for adults as well. In short, it provides an all out entertainment for the whole family.

Disney really goes "meta" in this witty, exuberant musical comedy with classic Disney set pieces, splashy production values, and freshly deconstructionist approach to what the Disney canon has offered for all these decades. 

Having a "real world-fairy tale premise,"

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