Ella Enchanted (2004)
Get enchanted
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Aidan McArdle, Joanna Lumley, Lucy Punch, Jennifer Higham, Minnie Driver, Eric Idle, Steve Coogan, Jimi Mistry, Vivica A. Fox, Parminder Nagra, Jim Carter, Patrick Bergin, Nora-Jane Noone, Heidi Klum
Director: Brad Silberling
Running Time: 98 minutes
US MPAA rating: PGUK BBFC rating: PG
Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Shrek meets The Princess Bride is perhaps the best way to describe 'Ella Enchanted', the latest live-action flick to jump on the fantastical fairytale bandwagon. And, though not in the same league as either of the two films it borrows so heavily from, this latest family-friendly vehicle for Anne Princess Diaries Hathaway makes for some fun festive viewing.
Based loosely on the kiddies' book by Gail Carson Levine, it stars Hathaway as Ella, a girlie living in a fantasy realm divided-and-ruled by the nasty rotter Sir Edgar (Cary Elwes), who has exiled all "non-human" creatures to the forest (see what I was saying about the Shrek similarities?). In this world, giants are used as slaves, ogres treated as savages, and elves forced to work as entertainers (surely representing a missed opportunity for Prince to resurrect his acting career?). But Ella has problems of her own - namely the fact that, as a baby, her Fairy Godmother Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) bestowed upon her "the gift of obedience". In other words, she has to go through life doing everything and anything people tell her to. Some gift that is, eh? In fact, it's almost as bad as the jumper I got for Chrimbo a couple of years ago, but that's another story.
Anyway, having finally had enough of wicked step-sister Hattie (Lucy Punch) basically using the "gift" to take the piss, Ella decides to travel across the kingdom to find the midriff-baring Lucinda and try to talk her into lifting the spell. Of course, it's not a journey without its distractions, most notably in the form of a blossoming romance with evil Edgar's nice-but-dim nephew Prince Char (Hugh Dancy).
Featuring another charm-soaked display from Hathaway, some reasonably funny dialogue, and an always-welcome bout of Queen Karaoke, 'Ella Enchanted' is a surprisingly amusing time-filler. The story could perhaps be a little stronger (we're never really given much of a reason for why this particular spell was cast in the first place), and some of the supporting performances are a little bland (Dancy makes for a forgettable and unconvincing love interest), but I'd recommend it to anyone who's after some harmless fun to keep the young 'uns occupied during the upcoming Chrissie holidays. I'd happily watch this one again.
It's Got: A less-than-subtle underlying message about how we should all be more understanding of other peoples and cultures. And so we should, too.
It Needs: To ditch the pop-culture references. They date the film and are neither intelligent nor funny enough to be deemed worthwhile.
Alternatives: The Princess Bride, Shrek, Shrek 2
Summary: Derivative and disposable it may be, but 'Ella Enchanted' is a surprisingly entertaining fairytale flick for the whole fam.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 20th December 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
Ella Enchanted at the IMDB
Comments11 Comments |
| That was a really great movie,Anne is a real good actress! |
| Comment by:- Hanney | | 31 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I HATED it! it would have been a decent movie if that book wasn't one of my favorites. The movie was completely different than the book and I really didn't like how they changed the whole story. It's really not worth seeing, but is a nice children's story. They really copied a little too much of Shrek if you ask me. I adore the book. and was very dissapointed with the movie |
| Comment by:- Ashley | | 31 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| i hate it |
| Comment by:- allison rod | | 01 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| i loved this film as i love anne hathaway as an actress all her films are the best and ive seen all of them. Hugh dancy is also good as he plays a prince well(and is good looking at the same time)! But the fairy tale creatures are brilliant for an exciting and wierd view to the story, so young and old people can enjoy it. It was like shrek but it was nice because you can tell what were the simularities and differences and rate them together. I didnt like shrek that much so therefore would rate ella enchanted at a higher standard. I would reccomend this film to all my friends and family so they can go and see it and reccomend it to there families and friends. It was a brilliant film and i am planning on seeing it again with my friends! |
| Comment by:- Nicole Dyer aged 13 | | 02 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| I think this movie is really great! I think Hugh Dancy is a great actor and is really Hot! and I think Anne Hathaway is so pretty and natural! I love this movie and would reccomend it to everyone! Its for people who like romance and things like that! so those people who are jurks and r skanks and boy racers and crap like that shouldn't go see it. But for decent normal people you should! 10/10!!! p.s prince char is hot! |
| Comment by:- charlotte | | 02 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| PRINCE CHAR aka.. HUGH DANCY IS SO HOTT. HE IS LIKE SO CUTE AND ADORABLE AND LIKE LOOKS AS THOUGH HES A REAL GOOD KISSER. I THINK THAT HE IS SO SWEET AND AND HOT SO EVERYONE GO SEE IT AND YOU WILL THINK HES HOT TOO SO YEA GO HOTTIE. |
| Comment by:- hugh dancy lover! | | 02 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| ALL YALL ARE GAY FOR EVEN WATCHING THIS FLICK! |
| Comment by:- gabeLA | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| haha....wow the gay post is madd funny!c ya! |
| Comment by:- BeBe | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| i lyk luv that movie png!11one one i pwn yeweh! *note sarcasm* |
| Comment by:- BeBe | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| i dont know what you just said but that was just stupid..Im rick james bitches! |
| Comment by:- gManLA | | 04 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| OK, so getting back to what really matters here... Ella Enchanted was an awesome movie! Hugh Dancy is really hot and Anne is a great actress! they make a good pair! |
| Comment by:- brotha44 | | 27 January 2005 | ip: logged |
