Ella Enchanted (2004)

ELLA ENCHANTED (2004) 3 stars out of 4. Starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy,

Cary Elwes, Vivica A. Fox, Joanna Lumley, Minnie Driver, Eric Idle, Patrick

Bergin, Lucy Punch, Jennifer Higham and Aidan McArdle. Based on the book by

Gail Carson Levine. Screenplay by Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten

Smith, and Jennifer Heath & Michele J. Wolff. Directed by Tommy O'Haver. Rated

PG. Running time: Approx. 110 mins.

Once upon a time some filmmakers borrowed the satiric style of Shrek, the wit

of The Princess Bride, the feminist resourcefulness of Ever After and the pop

culture spoofery of A Knight's Tale and blended them into Ella Enchanted, a

delightful fantasy that embraces and skewers fairy tales.

At birth, Ella of Frell is "blessed" with the gift of obedience, which, of

course, turns out to be a curse because she then has to obey any command from

anyone.

But Ella is resourceful and does not allow this obstacle to keep her from

maturing into a bright, spunky and outspoken young woman.

Unlike the other girls in the kingdom, Ella does not swoon after the handsome

Prince Charmont. She's more interested in righting the realm's wrongs, which

include securing equal rights for elves, ogres and giants, all of whom have

been persecuted by Charmont's evil uncle, Sir Edgar, who is ruling until

Charmont comes of age.

The movie, based on the Newberry-winning novel by Gail Carson Levine, puts a

21st century spin to a classic fairy tale world.

For it is not the prince who rescues the fair maiden, but the determined and

enlightened Ella who saves the clueless prince.

Actually, the most magical aspect of Ella Enchanted is that is fits together

so well considering five screenwriters worked on the script. That usually is a

sign of trouble, but Ella flows as smoothly as a country stream.

Ella embraces the conventions of the fairy tale - spells, wicked stepmother

and stepsisters, fairies, handsome prince, elves, ogres and giants - while

simultaneously gently spoofing them.

Plus the use of contemporary music, including Queen's "Someone to Love" and

Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," as well as other modern cultural

touchstones, such as a checkered yellow coach, adds to the movie's playful

attitude.

One set piece is a medieval mall where two workers continually turn a crank

that creates an escalator.

These little touches are done in a matter-of-fact manner so as not to intrude

on the main storyline.

Anne Hathaway from The Princess Diaries plays Ella and gives a bright,

engaging performance. She is clever, forthright and beautiful.

As Charmont, Hugh Dancy grows into the role transforming, with the help of

Ella, from callow youth to compassionate ruler.

Others in the cast include Cary Elwes as the evil Sir Edgar; Vivica A. Fox as

the ditzy fairy, Lucinda; Lucy Punch and Jennifer Higham as Ella's mean-

spirited stepsisters; Aidan McArdle as the elf Slannen, who dreams of being a

lawyer; Minnie Driver as Ella's semi-magical nursemaid, Mandy; and Eric Idle as

the rhyming narrator/storyteller.

Director Tommy O'Haver never lets the movie bog down. He keeps his actors and

camera on the move so that the story literally whisks by.

Ella Enchanted is delightful, a feature that will leave you grinning from ear

to ear. Why not be as obedient as Ella and take a chance of this enchanting

film.

Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He

can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at

bob@bloomink.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier

Web site: www.jconline.com

Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site:

www.rottentomatoes.com or at the Internet Movie Database Web site:

www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom

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X-RT-RatingText: 3/4