November 24, 2007

Enchanted ²

by Tim Lee • Disney, Movies, Music

I really, really needed a break this weekend from all the essaying, studying, and producing, so I decided to catch the latest Disney flick Enchanted with my house-mate. I gone in thinking it was going to be just a light hearted, but cheesy family movie, but I came out pretty impressed.

I first heard of the movie when I was working with Disney in 2006. The premise is as “Disney” as it gets — A Disney styled Princess from the animation worlds somehow ends up in modern day New York, confusion and hilarity ensues. I remember flagrantly disregarding the movie until I saw a name which made me change my mind: Alan Menken.

If you think you’ve never heard of Menken’s work before, you’re wrong. You’ve probably heard many, many of his works, especially for Disney — The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast are just some of the few works he did for Disney. Menken has received eight Academy Awards to this dates — making him one top-notch composer.

Anyways, the movie was quite light hearted, and really charmingly funny throughout. The musical numbers, although few, were greatly executed. Disney did a good job making fun of their own princesses, and the subtle references they sprinkled throughout the movie — from the poison apple of Snow White, and the “Bella Note” pizza shop nod to Lady and the Tramp, to the glass slipper of Cinderella and the ball-room dance homage to Beauty and the Beast, it was entertaining, and fun to pick out for a Disney geek like me! The entire movie was romantic, and fun. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending as it was a bit forced, not to mention predictable. Nevertheless, I had fun, and it was the break I needed, and I would highly recommended anyone who needs a quick “time-out” before the exam to go and see it.

Anyways, here’s a song from the movie: “So Close” performed by Jon McLaughlin, enjoy!

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You’re in my arms
And all the world is gone
The music playing on
For only two
So close together
And when I’m with you
So close to feeling alive

A life goes by
Romantic dreams must die
So I bid mine goodbye
And never knew
So close was waiting
Waiting here with you
And now, forever, I know
All that I want is to hold you
So close

So close to reaching
That famous happy end
Almost believing
This one’s not pretend
Now you’re beside me
And look how far we’ve come
So far
We are
So close…

Oh, how could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?

We’re so close to reaching
That famous happy end
Almost believing
This one’s not pretend
Let’s go on dreaming
Though we know we are
So close
So close, and still
So far…