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Movie Review
Ella Enchanted
By Jennifer Alpeche Published April 12, 2004
US Release: April 9, 2004
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver
Starring: Anne Hathaway , Hugh Dancy , Cary Elwes , Minnie Driver
PG
Running Time: 95 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $22,914,000
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver
Starring: Anne Hathaway , Hugh Dancy , Cary Elwes , Minnie Driver
PG
Running Time: 95 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $22,914,000
C+
I knew what the film was trying to be and it was OK, sometimes even good, sweet and charming, but never great, which I believe Ella had the potential to be.
There are things about this movie that I liked, but there are also things that made me laugh, and not in a good way (more like you can?t believe you?re actually seeing what you?re seeing, nervously wishing it wasn?t so). "Ella Enchanted" is very well intentioned and isn?t a bad film, but there?s this something that prevents me from giving it too much praise. If it was perhaps a little tighter, I would have liked it more; or perhaps if that last song-and-dance number wasn?t the way the film ended, I would have been happier.
?Ella Enchanted" is the story about Ella of Frell (played by a great Anne Hathaway), a strong-minded young woman cursed with the gift of obedience. Her fairy godmother, Lucinda, gives her the gift of obedience against the wishes of Ella?s mother and household fairy, Mandy (Minnie Driver). Though they try to get Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) to take back the gift, she threatens an even worse fate for baby Ella, and thus, the gift is accepted. Ella?s mother and Mandy try over the years to get the gift returned, but Lucinda is a godmother who accepts none. Thus, they hope in their hearts that they can protect Ella from future harm and from those who would use her gift (curse) against her. But of course, they cannot always be with her and that?s why the curse must be removed completely.
We learn that no one else is told of the gift (not even Ella?s father), and that Ella is told to never reveal it to another soul. Ella?s mother dies soon after Ella learns the truth herself (as a young child). Ella is left with a necklace to remember her mother by, as well as words of wisdom that will protect and guide her in the future. Ultimately, Ella must take her life into her own hands, which she of course does in time. And although her fairy godmother is of little help, Lucinda does impart a bit of wisdom in the end, which helps our young heroine make her most important decision.
In addition to this, the far, far away land that Ella lives in, Frell is part of a kingdom that?s taken a turn for the worse ever since Prince Charmont?s uncle Edgar (Cary Elwes) took it over. It seems that Edgar became ruler after Charmont?s father was killed by ogres (a coup d?e-tat perhaps?), and since his reign, the kingdom has been divided into classes, with different species ? ogres, elves, and giants ? all being dictated as to what they can and cannot do.
?Ella Enchanted" is the story about Ella of Frell (played by a great Anne Hathaway), a strong-minded young woman cursed with the gift of obedience. Her fairy godmother, Lucinda, gives her the gift of obedience against the wishes of Ella?s mother and household fairy, Mandy (Minnie Driver). Though they try to get Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) to take back the gift, she threatens an even worse fate for baby Ella, and thus, the gift is accepted. Ella?s mother and Mandy try over the years to get the gift returned, but Lucinda is a godmother who accepts none. Thus, they hope in their hearts that they can protect Ella from future harm and from those who would use her gift (curse) against her. But of course, they cannot always be with her and that?s why the curse must be removed completely.
We learn that no one else is told of the gift (not even Ella?s father), and that Ella is told to never reveal it to another soul. Ella?s mother dies soon after Ella learns the truth herself (as a young child). Ella is left with a necklace to remember her mother by, as well as words of wisdom that will protect and guide her in the future. Ultimately, Ella must take her life into her own hands, which she of course does in time. And although her fairy godmother is of little help, Lucinda does impart a bit of wisdom in the end, which helps our young heroine make her most important decision.
In addition to this, the far, far away land that Ella lives in, Frell is part of a kingdom that?s taken a turn for the worse ever since Prince Charmont?s uncle Edgar (Cary Elwes) took it over. It seems that Edgar became ruler after Charmont?s father was killed by ogres (a coup d?e-tat perhaps?), and since his reign, the kingdom has been divided into classes, with different species ? ogres, elves, and giants ? all being dictated as to what they can and cannot do.
Jennifer's Grade: C+
Jennifer's Overall Grading: 6 graded movies
| A | 66.7% | |
| B | 16.7% | |
| C | 16.7% | |
| D | 0.0% | |
| F | 0.0% |
