The film opens with the enchanting narration by Julie Andrews, introducing viewers to the whimsical animated fairytale realm of Andalasia. This magical land is under the rule of the wicked Queen Narissa, portrayed by the talented Susan Sarandon, whose relentless desire to maintain her grip on power leads her to prevent her step-son, Prince Edward, played by James Marsden, from marrying any fair maidens. Amidst this tension, we meet the spirited Giselle, embodied by the charming Amy Adams, who resides in a quaint treehouse situated in the woods. Here, Giselle busily crafts a statue symbolizing her vision of true love, guided by her loyal animal companions, including her cheeky chipmunk friend, Pip, who assist her in finding the perfect lips to represent the kiss that is vital for true love.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward, on a quest to vanquish trolls, hears Giselle's enchanting song and is irresistibly drawn to her. Unfortunately, his conniving servant, Nathaniel, fearing his queen's wrath should Edward fall for Giselle, unleashes a troll which sends her fleeing into the woods. By a twist of fate, Giselle plummets straight into Edward's embrace, igniting an instant romantic connection that has them both eagerly planning their wedding the very next day. However, unbeknownst to them, Queen Narissa has been lurking in the shadows, plotting to thwart their nuptials.
On the day of the royal wedding, Giselle makes her way to the castle, but Nathaniel locks out her animal friends, creating hurdles at every turn. Just when Giselle appears to be on the verge of uniting with her true love, she encounters Narissa, who cleverly disguises herself as an old woman and deceives Giselle into visiting a "wishing well." The evil queen pushes her down the well, revealing her sinister intentions to Nathaniel as Giselle plummets to a world where "there are no happily ever afters."
Giselle's fall from the animated land is startlingly abrupt as she lands directly in the bustling heart of Times Square, vividly contrasting her once serene life. In this chaotic urban setting, she struggles to navigate the fast-paced world around her, causing mishaps such as a minor traffic accident and even getting mugged for her tiara! Meanwhile, divorce lawyer Robert Phillip, played by Patrick Dempsey, is busy with a contentious client meeting that highlights his own complicated emotional landscape. While picking up his young daughter, Morgan, he serendipitously encounters Giselle after she falls from the casino billboard, believing her to be an actual princess.
Morgan is immediately captivated by Giselle's princess charm, while Robert finds her behavior utterly baffling. Nevertheless, they take her into their Upper West Side apartment, where Giselle unknowingly wreaks delightful chaos, endearingly summoning urban wildlife to assist with the cleaning. The arrival of Robert’s girlfriend, Nancy, creates further complications as a botched misunderstanding ensues, resulting in Robert unintentionally leading Nancy to believe Giselle is a romantic rival.
Back in Andalasia, Pip is on a mission to inform Edward of Giselle's fate. The prince dives down the well into New York, fueled by determination to rescue Giselle. However, his adventure quickly goes awry as he struggles to adapt to the unfamiliar urban environment, leading to comedic mishaps. Despite the charming chaos, Giselle and Robert’s bond deepens as they share stories about love, loss, and hope, making their own personal connections flourish amidst Giselle's whimsical nature clashing against Robert's grounded reality.
As the days unfold, Nathaniel continues to carry out Narissa's nefarious plans, attempting to use poisoned apples to eliminate Giselle. However, each scheme hilariously backfires, showcasing the comedic rivalry between good and evil in this modern fairytale. Meanwhile, Giselle's exuberant outlook sparks a change in Robert, inspiring him to see the world in a new light and prompting him to reconsider his life choices.
The excitement builds as they attend a lavish ball where Giselle's feelings for both Edward and Robert come to the forefront, creating a romantic tug-of-war that challenges the notions of true love. In a climactic showdown, Narissa attempts to sabotage their newfound happiness, leading to a thrilling transformation into a fearsome dragon and a fierce battle over the fate of fairytales and true love.
Ultimately, the story crescendos with themes of courage, love, and the belief in fairytales, culminating in a resolution that brings together Giselle, Robert, and Morgan as a family, while also setting a new course for Edward and Nancy. With all the main characters finding their own unique happy endings, the film closes with a heartwarming affirmation that love truly can conquer all, delivering the timeless message: "And so, they all lived happily ever after."
