Enchanted Date

Enchanted was the chosen movie of the month and the kids were excited. I checked out the various cinemas around us and was surprised that Gateway only had 2 viewing times listed for it on their website, which would mean waiting til late afternoon to enjoy the film - not ideal for our schedule. So I checked out the other malls and we settled on Galleria.

In Galleria, there were 2 cinemas set to show the movie. One was reserved seating, the other not. We opted for the second - and a good choice it was. The cinema was practically empty!!! There were only 4 other families there to enjoy this Disney movie.

We were early so we got to sing along with the various christmas carols playing over the sound system. These were christmas songs performed first by various Disney characters followed by some performed by the muppets. We enjoyed trying to identify which princess was singing in the 12 days of Christmas.

Between one moment and the next, the trailers began, It was funny because you'd think a gun had gone off. The kids were cringing in their seats since the volume of the trailer was REALLY LOUD and it was National Treasure: The Book of Secrets which had a suspenseful kind of background music. I laughed even as I encouraged them to straight in their chairs.

Then the movie began and it was so well done! It was like watching one of the classic Disney animated films I love yet it wasn't. The Disney castle in the opening is CGI now and even more magical and as the camera pans to a window it focuses on a book with the same title as the movie.It opened with pop up figures telling of the wicked stepmother who was definitely not looking forward to the day when Prince Edward, her stepson, found his mate.

Giselle is not a princess. Like Cinderella, she talks and sings with the animals. Like Sleeping Beauty, it is her voice that draws the prince to her. They decide to wed the next day.

Now that definitely did not suit the wicked stepmother in this tale. She send Giselle into the water and into a place where she says there is no such thing as happy ever after - NEW YORK!

I have to say I love the outfits that they made for the lead actress, Amy Adams. The really big skirt and hoops had me laughing. The dress she made after her first night in New York was so cool - my daughter loved it.

Kudos to Rick Baker, the guy who made the hag in reality! Talk about hideous old bat!

We all agree that we love the scene in the park. Typical Disney - sing at an outburst of joy. It was a really fun production number, makes me wish a trip to Disneyland was in the budget at this point. You can watch the video here if you can't see it below.

Some things I found funny because they were inconsistencies or unusual:

• Giselle knew the names of the various appliances such as the vacuum cleaner though you'd think she'd never seen one before.
• She had a new pair of shoes on her second day but she didn't buy any. Wonder if they just magically appeared the next morning when she made her second dress? They weren't the same as her first set of shoes.
• In most of the film, Giselle wears her princess style dresses while everyone else is in everyday wear. At the ball, everyone is dressed in period dress while she's in an evening gown of modern style.

While it is understood to have a happy ending - that goes without saying for fairy tales - this one had some nice twists before getting there. Since I hate to give spoilers beyond what I already may have, let me just say, I hope you watch the film - irregardless if it's in the cinema or if you wait for the DVD. Don't forget to watch the credits!!!! Watch the shapes - that's all I'll say . Now I have to go get the soundtrack for the kids. They want to learn the songs and sing along - just for that, Disney, I LOVE YOU!