I have been sort of reticent to see this movie. Not totally sure why, but I wasn't just busting at the seams to see this one. I finally went and saw it this week during some free time. In some ways, I really liked this movie. It was sweet and funny and entertaining the whole way through. I find myself sort of indifferent to it in the end though. Like I said, I can't really put my finger on exactly why.
Lets start this with a discussion on Amy Adams. Everyone is really heralding this performance as "Oscar-worthy" but I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong...I think she did a bang up job with the role but I just didn't see anything truly amazing about the role itself. She does have a nice voice and she suited the character very well but like I said the role itself doesn't seem like the type of performance that should be honored by the Academy.
Now, the other main characters. Patrick Dempsey's character kind of annoyed me for some reason. I couldn't find myself totally getting behind him as the romantic lead in this film. That's surprising because I usually like him. Susan Sarandon was great in this movie though! She was a great villain...truly the embodiment of the great Disney villainesses and witches from the old animated classics like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed her tremendously and in my opinion she stole every scene she was in.
I really enjoyed the musical numbers in this movie. They were classic Disney and just a lot of fun. They were probably the most entertaining part of the movie (aside from that freakin' chipmunk who just had me rollin' a couple of times). The only thing "musically" that was really disappointing to me was that they had Idina Menzel (from Wicked on Broadway, the movie Rent, and lots more) in a supporting role and she didn't do any singing at all. Oh well, maybe next time.
Overall, I left the theater entertained but realizing that I was not the intended audience. The movie is really meant for children but does have elements to keep the parents entertained.
