Charming - A new spin on a favourite fairytale character

When the producers of Shrek, release a new film about Prince Charming, you just know it's not going to follow traditional fairy-tales.

Charming Synopsis

Cursed with irresistible charm that bewitches the heart of every maiden in the Kingdom, Prince Philippe Charming is on a quest for true love. Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have already fallen for the dashing Prince but soon he must set off on a great adventure in the company of a roguish stranger called Lenny who, in true fairytale style, is actually Lenore, the only woman in the land immune to his curse.

Charming Review - Contains Spoilers

This is very much a child’s film, or for a young family, in that, it will keep your child’s attention but maybe not so much yours.  That being said, the soundtrack is really upbeat and modern which was a nice surprise.

And whilst us adults can sit there and watch how sets out to find out which of his true loves he’s to marry – Cinderella, Snow White or Sleeping Beauty – (we’ll get to those three in a moment), we know, as adults, he’s going to fall for the one female who is immune to his curse!   But the children won’t, and this is why it’s a lovely magical film for them, not so much for us.

The witch who placed this curse on the Prince is a mash-up between the Evil Queen, as she locks away Lenore’s heart and Maleficent for she places the curse on the prince when he is a baby, and shows up every now and then to thwart the Prince’s travels.

The Prince himself is nothing like any of the characters you've read in fairy-tale books and is a bit arrogant to start with! The turmoil of carrying such a curse, I guess!

I’m also disappointed with why the three princesses are portrayed as, well, spoilt brats! I don’t believe for one moment Cinderella would ever behave in such a beastly manner (she’s clearly my favourite!). But they are, and I wonder if this is to show Lenore in a more grounded, well-balanced light?

I think the executioner was my favourite character, along with the bird.

This film is a good allrounder, but as mentioned above, this is for the children and young families more so than adults.

Starring: Demi Lovato, Wilmer Valderrama, Avril Lavigne, Ashley Tisdale, Sia, G.E.M and John Cleese. Charming is written and directed by Ross Venokur and produced by Academy Award-winning producer John Williams (Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After).