ENCHANTED — *** — Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden; rated PG (violence, mild vulgarity, mild profanity, nude art); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15; Century Sandy and South Salt Lake; Cinemark Jordan Landing; Megaplex District, Gateway and Jordan Commons; Red Carpet 5-Star and Gateway 8; Westates Holladay Center
There are some enchanting aspects in "Enchanted" — the most enchanting being Amy Adams.
Her winning and funny performance as a fairy-tale princess is likely to be a breakout role, the kind of thing some of us have been anticipating since Adams' Oscar-nominated role in the independent 2005 feature "Junebug."
Here, she's a buoyant presence that helps rescue the romantic comedy/fantasy every time it makes a misstep — which includes an almost too serious ending.
Adams stars as Giselle, a would-be princess and friend to forest creatures, who's just about to marry her Prince Charming, Edward (James Marsden).
But Edward's jealous mother, evil Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), isn't thrilled about their upcoming union. So she casts a spell that transports Giselle from her cartoon "reality" to the "real" world — in New York City.
She's fortunate to bump into Robert (Patrick Dempsey), a kind-hearted widower who gives her a place to stay while she gets used to her change in surroundings.
In the meantime, both Edward and a henchman (Timothy Spall) of Narissa have followed Giselle to New York.
"Enchanted" begins with traditional, 2-D animated sequences that pay homage to such classic Disney animated fantasies as "Snow White" and "Cinderella," playing to the strengths of filmmaker Kevin Lima, who directed the animated feature "Tarzan" and the live-action "102 Dalmations."
Lima is smart enough to take advantage of the skillset of the multitalented Adams, who shows off a terrific singing voice.
And Marsden, who was so dull in the "X-Men" movies, continues to show more life in lighter pieces like this one. And Spall is funny in support.
Speaking of Disney classics, that's "Mary Poppins" herself, Julie Andrews, who is narrating, and the film's original songs are courtesy Oscar-winning composers Stephen Schwartz and Alan Mencken ("Pocahontas").
"Enchanted" is rated PG for violent action (comic creature attacks) and comic violence, mildly suggestive talk and references, scattered mild profanity (mostly religiously based), and glimpses of nude statues. Running time: 97 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com