Few Hollywood studios have set themselves up for good-natured satire as has Disney. Creating that satire themselves gives Disney a little more control, and with "Enchanted," an entertaining movie.

Using a combination of classic-style animation and live action, "Enchanted" supposes that a beautiful young maiden, currently animated, falls in love instantly with a handsome young prince, and bursts into song to tell the world. No surprises there. And also no surprise that an evil queen, the prince's no-account mother, seeks to hang on to the throne by shoving the fair maiden into a bottomless vortex.

Developments to follow, though, take the story into a new realm. The fair maiden Giselle, now played by Amy Adams -- a real person -- crawls up a manhole cover in Manhattan and finds herself in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Understandably frightened, Giselle seeks a friendly face or helping hand, finding those in the gentlemanly gestures of Robert (Patrick Dempsey), an attorney raising a young daughter by himself.

Robert takes the lost and confused Giselle in, facing the suspicions of his girlfriend (Idina Menzel). So clearly innocent and awe-filled is Giselle, though, those who meet her can't help but feel she is harmless, and also screwloose, what with her summoning animals to the apartment simply by singing out a window, Snow White-style.

When her prince (James Marsden) follows her trail to the live world, he is accompanied by a two-faced servant (Timothy Spall) and the wicked queen herself, played as a slithering she-devil by Susan Sarandon.

Before a final confrontation involving fiery effects, Giselle has coerced everyday citizens in Central Park to stage an elaborate musical number, and come to realize that the cynical lawyer she has met is correct about one thing -- real love takes more than a song. Along the way, the dynamics of their relationship change.

"Enchanted" pokes fun at old-school Disney animation while also celebrating its magic and longevity. Songs by Disney music vets Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz inject a vitality. There are other quiet nods to Disney princesses, as the singing voices behind Belle, Ariel and Pocahontas all make cameo appearances, and characters in the story share names with famous Disney characters from the past. The film presents itself as a big-screen trivia quiz for Disney buffs.

Joy intact, and talent everywhere (Adams remains memorable for her knockout performance in "Junebug," and Menzel is beloved for her stage roles in "Rent" and "Wicked"), "Enchanted" has much going for it, including both an esteemed pedigree, and the willingness to make ample fun of its own legacy.

B+ "Enchanted"

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon

Director: Kevin Lima

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Rated: PG (for some scary images and mild innuendo)

Running time: 101 minutes