Disenchanted: Giselle Returns is now available on Disney+.
In 2007, Enchanted: Giselle’s Story gave us a fun and fresh take on fairy tales, showing us that everyone’s “happily ever after” is a little different, regardless of what the books say. Along with that new vision came songs that stick in our heads to this day and memes that still haven’t lost their spark. Obviously, the real question is whether or not the spark has gone out in the film itself, which returns for a sequel 15 years later. And that, my friends, is quite a complicated answer.
It’s not that Disenchanted: Giselle Returns has less potent magic than 2007’s, but rather It’s a little different from then. In short, people who enjoyed the simple charms of the original are now at a different stage in their lives, and may be disappointed to see the sequel’s new twists, as much as many of them work. I have to say, though, that the film’s music doesn’t have the same sense of timelessness that the original had, and Idina Menzel’s renowned Nancy can’t do much with the lyrics.
Giselle (Amy Adams), Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) have grown tired of the bustle of New York City. Or, at least, Giselle is. In an effort to recapture that “happily ever after” feeling, the family uproots to suburban Monroeville and begins a new life. Only that new life is a long way from Robert’s job in New York, Morgan is forced to start over at a new school, and even Giselle finds herself lost in the mundane. And things only get worse with a wandering wish, a poisonous “stepmother” accusation, and the complications of everyday magic.
Like is logic, Adams’ star is the brightest. The story of Disenchanted gives way to Morgan being her own hero, but this is still Giselle’s story. Watching Adams play herself off when she starts to fall into the evil stepmother trope is a joy that helps keep her character in just the right amount of hype versus her comparatively normal counterparts. Plus, you’ll get to see everyone in Monroeville turn on the enchantment as the world of fairy tales takes over from reality. Does anyone want to see Patrick Dempsey as a flamboyant prince?
A part of the magic remains unchanged, and it is costumes. Wonderful! Both Giselle and her evil counterpart Malvina (Maya Rudolph) have some amazing dresses, but all of the clothing is a delight. You’ll also see a lot of fun Disney emotes. A trio shows up just as the family moves into town wearing gardening outfits that mirror the fairies from Sleeping Beauty, and you can guess what they become as the town begins to transform into a fairytale land.
The clothes and decorations are beautiful, but you can’t have a good contemporary fairy tale without a nice story. Disenchanted has it in spades, but it is, as I said, a different kind of magic. Enchanted, she watched Giselle fighting for herself and learning to pursue her own version of happily ever after. Her decisions have real-world consequences for the family she’s a part of, and while she never asks him to sacrifice her happiness for theirs, she does teach him to listen a little better. her needs. It’s a lovely message for a nice and easy fantasy story that’s a good recommendation for the whole family.
The return of Amy Adams as Giselle is enchanting, and families will have a blast sitting down to watch this sequel.
Ultimately, Disenchanted: Giselle Returns comes across as a different, albeit quite wonderful, follow-up to Enchanted. Nevertheless, some fans may feel a little betrayed due to the fact that, instead of growing with its original audience, it has opted for a happy tune for a new one. Even so, those who remember the magic will still see a lot of it in this new iteration, even if the new soundtrack leaves them wanting.
Disenchanted: Returns Giselle keeps her focus on bringing a different kind of magic to 2007’s Charmed, which may result in some mixed reactions among fans who expect to see more of the same. However, the only real sin of the movie is some boring lyrics to the songs. The return of Amy Adams as Giselle is enchanting, and families will have a blast sitting down to watch this sequel.