CNN
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“Disenchanted” asks the existential query: “What comes after ‘Happily Ever After?'” which is, naturally, a sequel… solely (as a result of it is 15 years later) for broadcast. Amy Adams returns nimbly to the position of an animated princess attempting to adapt to the live-action world, in an epilogue to “Enchanted” that has moments of magic with out totally fulfilling the premise.
As advised in a storybook, Princess Giselle de Adams settled down along with her surprising prince, single father Robert (Patrick Dempsey), and had a child with him. However, her life in improbable Andalusia left her ill-prepared for the monotony and drudgery of married life, main her to hunt a way to shake the monotonous actuality of it.
HBO or Hulu’s model of that disaster would absolutely have a darker, harsher aspect, however being Disney+, Giselle seizes on the thought of shifting the entire household to the suburbs, a seemingly idyllic place often known as Monroeville, which seemed good within the billboards. . The determination, nonetheless, leaves Robert with a dismal commute to work and Giselle’s teenage stepdaughter, Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino), feeling displaced and sullen, pressured as she is to go away “the realm of New York” behind.
The acrimony and rigidity at house do not sit properly with Giselle, who will get determined sufficient to attempt utilizing somewhat magic that falls proper into the “watch out what you want for” basket. In her most impressed flourish, the largest mishap comes from the technicality of Giselle being a stepmother, the type of member of the family that hasn’t historically been profitable in animated fairy tales.
The preliminary kick that inspired “Encantadas” maybe inevitable feels considerably quantity on this context, with all of the hymns to city natural world. As for these songs, all of them have good voices, together with Idina Menzel, who reveals up lengthy sufficient to lend her Broadway belt to what’s clearly supposed to be the movie’s spectacular tune, and maybe rock a number of additional copies of the soundtrack. .
Though the songs are courtesy of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, an Oscar-nominated combo for the unique, the music this time round is bouncy however much less memorable. Likewise, the supporting forged feels alternately underused and overused, with James Marsden reprising his position because the clueless prince and Maya Rudolph taking part in the suburban native queen bee, who will get to carry out a spirited duet with Adams.
Directed by Adam Shankman (who directed the musical “Hairspray,” coincidentally the identical yr “Enchanted” got here out), the movie as soon as once more cleverly performs with fairy story conventions, with out reflecting a lot progress, on the a part of Giselle or others. , within the intermediate years. If there appeared to be room to creatively advance the mythology, “Disenchanted” merely chooses to recycle it.
Of course, that system has been one for Disney+, which has constructed a lot of its programming technique across the cozy familiarity related to reviving older properties in collection or film kind, together with “The Santa Clause,” ” Hocus Pocus” and, quickly, “Willow.”
“I by no means sing the correct tune anymore,” Giselle mutters sadly at one level, earlier than the story totally kicks into gear.
Saying that would definitely be too harsh an evaluation of “Disenchanted,” but it surely’s truthful to level out that, in comparison with its deservedly admired predecessor, the sequel would not hit almost as excessive marks.
“Disenchanted” premieres November 18 on Disney+.
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