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Movies / On DVD / Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted

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Ella Enchanted (2004)

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Reviews Counted:111

Fresh:55

Rotten:56

Average Rating:5.5/10

Consensus: Hathaway is a charming heroine, but the simple storyline gets overwhelmed by silly gimmickry.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some crude humor and language

Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Apr 9, 2004 Wide

Box Office: $22,811,339

Synopsis: Similar to SHREK and THE PRINCESS BRIDE, this fantasy adventure, based on a book by Gail Carson Levine, combines fairy tale with sly, 21st century pop humor. Teenage Ella (THE PRINCESS DIARIES'... Similar to SHREK and THE PRINCESS BRIDE, this fantasy adventure, based on a book by Gail Carson Levine, combines fairy tale with sly, 21st century pop humor. Teenage Ella (THE PRINCESS DIARIES' Anne Hathaway) lives in Frell, a magical place where humans, fairies, ogres, and other mythical folk peacefully coexist. However, when power-mad Prince Regent Edgar (Cary Elwes) passes laws that segregate humans from everyone else, Ella becomes determined to win equal rights for all. This task presents a challenge for anyone, but especially for Ella, who at birth was given the dubious gift of obedience by Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox), a fairy with an attitude. When she finds an ally, and love interest, in the almost-king Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy), she invokes the ire of her witchy stepsister Hattie (Lucy Punch), who has figured out that Ella must obey any command. Between avoiding her stepsister, trying to break the spell, and restoring justice to the kingdom, will Ella find time for true love? The talented cast, featuring Eric Idle, Minnie Driver, Joanna Lumley, and Jimi Mistry, play up the jokes, including heartthrob posters of Prince Charmont from "Medieval Teen" magazine and a Middle Ages mall. Contemporary music, including songs sung by star Hathaway such as "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," and riotously colorful dance numbers, complement the anachronistic humor. With its mix of SLEEPING BEAUTY, CINDERELLA, and classic teen irony, ELLA ENCHANTED provides a timeless heroine. [More]

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Joanna Lumley, Cary Elwes

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Joanna Lumley, Cary Elwes, Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Vivica A. Fox, Minnie Driver

Director: Tommy O'Haver

Director: Tommy O'Haver
Screenwriter: Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, Michele J. Wolf, Jennifer Heath
Studio: Miramax Films

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Release:

Aug 24, 2004

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Ella Enchanted
  • Anne Hathaway, the delightful star of THE PRINCESS DIARIES, is Ella in the charming fairy tale adventure ELLA ENCHANTED. On the day of her birth, Ella is given a gift by her Fairy Godmother -- the gift of obedience, which is also a curse. Under no circumstances can Ella refuse anything she is asked to do, no matter how wicked it may be. Tired of being taken advantage of, Ella, with a talking book as her companion, leaves home to find her Fairy Godmother and return her unwanted gift. This simple errand soon turns into an amazing journey filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves, and the plotting of Prince Charmont's evil uncle who wants to take over the Crown and rule the kingdom. Bursting with colorful characters, music, wit, and whimsy, ELLA ENCHANTED is a truly enchanting and heartwarming tale that will captivate the entire family.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Ella Enchanted

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    41 - 60 (sorted by date)
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    In its innocence, sweet heart and abundant wit, it has more going for it, by my accounting, than a dozen more expensive-looking films.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Michael O'Sullivan
    Michael O'Sullivan
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    This all makes for good and entertaining fun, from the musical numbers of 1980s pop tunes to the flamboyant fight scenes. For a while. But you've seen this all before.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Teresa Wiltz
    Teresa Wiltz
    Washington Post

    Mostly ... the film bubbles along happily.

    Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Stephen Whitty
    Stephen Whitty
    Newark Star-Ledger
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    O'Haver ... has a great time juggling silly jokes, contemporary tunes and anachronisms like hand-cranked escalators at the medieval mall.

    Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    New York Daily News
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Robert Denerstein
    Robert Denerstein
    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The film's lush scenery and sharp modern twists cast a powerful spell.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Angel Cohn
    Angel Cohn
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Artful enough to intrigue adults and far more original than other versions of Cinderella portrayed onscreen with alarming regularity.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Ruthe Stein
    Ruthe Stein
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Ella is under a spell that makes her obey all orders -- will someone please order Hathaway to stay pretty in better movies?

    Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    David Elliott
    David Elliott
    San Diego Union-Tribune

    Squanders the comic potential of the source material through poorly timed gags and hit-or-miss one-liners.

    Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Timothy Knight
    Timothy Knight
    Reel.com

    The vehicle that carries [Hathaway] is a bit of a mouldy pumpkin.

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Liam Lacey
    Liam Lacey
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It's a high-spirited charmer, a fantasy that sparkles with delights.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Anne Hathaway’s performance as a cursed maiden in this time-jumbled fantasy is enchanting... but the movie is not.

    Full Review Source: EDGE Boston | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    David Foucher
    David Foucher
    EDGE Boston

    What could have been wonderful has been processed into cute but throwaway fluff. It lingers like a half-cast spell.

    Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

    It's the MTV, Teen Beat-lovin' teenage girls who will sing its praises the loudest.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Kit Bowen
    Kit Bowen
    Hollywood.com

    Ella embraces the conventions of the fairy tale . . . while simultaneously gently spoofing them.

    Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Bob Bloom
    Bob Bloom
    Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

    Score one for Ella Enchanted, an overpowering winner in the realm of smart family entertainment.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Phil Villarreal
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Hollywood.com

    If you picked the four dimmest attendees at a Renaissance fair and told them to go remake The Princess Bride, you'd get something like this cloying stomach-churner.

    Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Steve Schneider
    Steve Schneider
    Orlando Weekly

    An enchanting little story that will make you smile.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
    04/09/04
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    TheMovieChicks.com
     
     
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