ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

WALT DISNEY fairytale classics like Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty belong to a more wholesome, faraway age before computer games, YouTube and The X Factor.

It would be unrealistic to expect a modern film to succeed in recapturing that innocence. Enchanted (PG), however, manages to have the best of both worlds by bringing some modern twists to a very traditional formula. It is a completely disarming delight.

Enchanted begins in time-honoured fashion as an animated tale with the beautiful Giselle (Amy Adams) in the woods surrounded by her furry friends, a Broadway-style tune on her lips and the possibility of a happy ever after with the arrival of dashing Prince Edward (James Marsden).

Then wicked Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) goes and spoils it all by pitching Giselle into a strange and troubling land called Manhattan. The film moves from animation to live action as the goody two shoes is trapped in a world that has none of the courtesy or refinements that she expects. Help is at hand in the shape of divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey).

Enchanted is very corny, but works so well because of a magical performance from Amy Adams, a past Oscar nominee for Junebug. She really does convey all the sparkle and charm of a young Julie Andrews, and makes Giselle very engaging.

There are also strong supporting performances from a suitably hammy James Marsden as the gormless Edward and Timothy Spall as the Queen’s hapless henchman Nathaniel. The film eventually succumbs to an excess of special-effects and a slightly rushed ending but if you approach it filled with the holiday spirit then Enchanted is a whole lot of fun.

Director: Kevin Lima
Stars: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Susan Sarandon, Julie Andrews (narrator)
Screenwriter: Bill Kelly
Certificate: PG
Running time: 107 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2007