Ella Enchanted (2004)
Directed by Tommy O'Haver
Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.
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"Ella Enchanted" the movie is an overcalculated fusion of "Shrek" and "The Princess Bride" with all the smarts replaced by smartass.
All are elements shared by "Shrek" and the new movie "Ella Enchanted," a warm-hearted but unbalanced star vehicle for Anne Hathaway that unashamedly wears its influences on its screen.
The context for these activities is lifted in equal parts from Cinderella, Shrek, and The Princess Bride, with seemingly general inspiration from The Bullwinkle Show's beloved "Fractured Fairy Tales."
Adapted from a novel by Gail Carson Levine, the story borrows a page from "Shrek" in turning fairy-tale conventions inside out.
Elwes apparently doesn’t understand that even as a goofball villain – like John Lithgow’s tour-de-force as Lord Farquaad in “Shrek” – has to be approached in a serious manner.
This anachronistic Cinderella with a twist displays the same warped humor and fairy tale awareness of "Shrek."
"Ella Enchanted" the movie is an overcalculated fusion of "Shrek" and "The Princess Bride" with all the smarts replaced by smartass.
A cinematic Frankenstein of movie parts, "Ella Enchanted" stitches together "Sleeping Beauty," "Shrek," "Cinderella" and "A Knight's Tale" with the sensibilities of "The Princess Bride," though not always successfully.
The context for these activities is lifted in equal parts from Cinderella, Shrek, and The Princess Bride, with seemingly general inspiration from The Bullwinkle Show's beloved "Fractured Fairy Tales."
The presence of such normally amusing actors as Eric Idle, Joanna Lumley and the star of "The Princess Bride," Cary Elwes, might lead audiences to expect great things from "Ella Enchanted."
Ella aspires to the fabric-puncturing winkery of The Princess Bride (whose Cary Elwes appears here as Charmont's backstabbing uncle), and those who prefer their fantasy straight (ahem) should return to Middle Earth.
I’m glad to say that my fears were unfounded and “Ella Enchanted” is on a par with other such fairytale fantasy adventures as “The Princess Bride.”
A cinematic Frankenstein of movie parts, "Ella Enchanted" stitches together "Sleeping Beauty," "Shrek," "Cinderella" and "A Knight's Tale" with the sensibilities of "The Princess Bride," though not always successfully.
Though it doesn’t quite hit those heights, it’s still a lot more enjoyable than the equally similar A Knight’s Tale, thanks to a delightful performance by Anne Hathaway.
Following in the footsteps of the "Fractured Fairy Tales" cartoons, "The Princess Bride," "Ever After," "Shrek" and "A Knight's Tale" -- but never quite matching any of their wit or novelty -- "Ella Enchanted" is an amusingly self-aware fable of handsome princes, evil kings and one very plucky heroine caught up in a magic spell.
Taking cues from Labyrinth, Ever After, A Knight's Tale, and many other films, the incredibly charming Ella Enchanted adds its own spice to become one of the most endearing kids' movies in a long while.
Reasonably worried over her niece's welfare, Mandy stays behind (she's a house fairy, thus, apparently immobile), but also gives her a gift, the use of her fianc�, Benny (Jimi Mistry, of The Guru), whom she accidentally turned into a book some time ago.
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But when Ella strikes up a relationship with the handsome Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy, "Black Hawk Down"), their jealousy lends a malicious element to the manipulation.
Years later, Lucinda's gift of obedience becomes a real burden when it is discovered not only by her stepsister Hattie (Lucy Punch, "Greenfingers"), the president of Prince Charmont's (Hugh Dancy, "Black Hawk Down") fan club, but by Prince Regent Edgar (Cary Elwes, "The Cat's Meow"), who decides that the perfect weapon to get rid of his nephew is an "Ella Enchanted."
As her love interest, Prince Charmont, Dancy ( Black Hawk Down ) clicks with Hathaway and has the looks and personality Teen Beat readers (or, as the magazine's called in the film, Medieval Teen) drool over.
The casting of Elwes, who starred as Westley in Rob Reiner's clever 1987 classic "The Princess Bride," perhaps best underscores the tone and intentions of director Tommy O'Haver ("Get Over It").
Director Tommy O'Haver ("Get Over It") maintains a bright and upbeat tone.
In green, magical Ireland, director Tommy O'Haver ( Get Over It ) re-created the details of the enchanted medieval kingdom's thatched-roof houses, tall castle spires and fields of poppies in colorful, comically anachronistic sets and costumes.
Aiming at the tween-ager crowd that made a hit of "The Princess Diaries," 2001's more modern twist on such girlish daydreams, light-hearted director Tommy O'Haver ( "Get Over It," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" ) enlists "Diaries" charming star Anne Hathaway in the title role as a medieval teenager who was hexed at birth with an obedience spell by an irksome but well-meaning fairy (Vivica A. Fox, stuck in a mock-ghetto-fabulous stereotype).
Writers Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, Jennifer Heath and Michele J. Wolff and director Tommy O'Haver (Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss, Get Over It) sprinkle bits of modern-day lore into their period fairy tale.
Aiming at the tween-ager crowd that made a hit of "The Princess Diaries," 2001's more modern twist on such girlish daydreams, light-hearted director Tommy O'Haver ( "Get Over It," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" ) enlists "Diaries" charming star Anne Hathaway in the title role as a medieval teenager who was hexed at birth with an obedience spell by an irksome but well-meaning fairy (Vivica A. Fox, stuck in a mock-ghetto-fabulous stereotype).
Writers Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, Jennifer Heath and Michele J. Wolff and director Tommy O'Haver (Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss, Get Over It) sprinkle bits of modern-day lore into their period fairy tale.