Enchanted

Disney's attempt to out-subvert the subversives comes with this often delightful rom-com fairytale. Having clearly taken umbrage at the amount of pretenders and lampooners in recent years, they reverse convention and take the archetypal Mouse House heroes from the 2D world into modern day New York with surprisingly effective results, as chirpy young princess Giselle (Adams) is banished from her animated kingdom by a wicked queen (Sarandon). Beginning as a so-over-the-top-it's-genius parody of their own back catalogue, the 'toon section introduces Giselle as an amalgam of every animated heroine in the studio's history. In our world she's less fish out of water than nut out of rehab, the adorable conceit being that the rules of her realm still apply in ours. Adams makes for a winning heroine even if she wouldn't necessarily be the first name on the team sheet when casting a princess. Only a somewhat overcooked dragon finale disappoints, but there's always room for that happily ever after, leaving Enchanted as a hugely enjoyable slice of Shrek-baiting that's cute without being cloying and clever without being snide. [Paul Greenwood]