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An unusually quirky Disney fairytale, 'Enchanted' combines a generous layer of sugar coating with edgier, self-aware humour — in a way that's strangely enchanting.

The animated tale begins in vintage Disney style. In different parts of the woods, a pretty girl named Giselle (Amy Adams) and handsome Prince Edward (James Marsden) are unknowingly singing a duet about meeting their one true love. A happy accident brings them together and they complete their song, fall in love and agree to marry immediately.

It's a premise far removed from the studio's cheeky, hip Pixar creations we've become used to in the past decade. Instead Disney seem to be paying homage to their classic movies, with the opening sequence replicating both the animation style and overtly naive storylines of 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Cinderella' and 'Snow White'.

It's not long though before the wholesome goodness is pushed to an uncomfortably forced level, eventually begging the question: are they being serious? At which point you get the unequivocal answer: no. Edward’s evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) banishes the animated Giselle to real-life, modern day New York City, bringing 'Enchanted' slap-bang up to date.

As our princess wanders the streets of New York City, dazed and disoriented in a puffy white wedding dress, she's stereotypically ignored by the locals before landing herself in a spot of trouble. But the dishy divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey) come to her rescue, with the handsome prince charming inviting Giselle to stay with them.

Unsurprisingly the star-crossed pair fall in love but neither act on it — because they're both engaged.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to save Giselle, Edward jumps into the well in which she has "fallen" but evil Queen Narissa instructs his treacherous helper, Nathaniel (Timothy Spall), to thwart him. When Nathaniel fails to deliver, Narissa goes to New York to do the job herself, resulting in a vintage good versus evil battle.

While 'Enchanted' breaks the Disney mould slightly, you can't help but notice that the basic story is taken directly from Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman's 'Kate & Leopold' — right down to the New York setting. But the talented 'Enchanted' cast members, surpass the unoriginal storyline with committed and entertaining performances.

All told, 'Enchanted' is a decadently sweet movie largely aimed at children but even adults will be pleasantly surprised by this whimsical story and its healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek humour.