I hate it *-* this movie and book sucks
Ella Enchanted
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Endearing, enduring, and lots of fun.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Ella Enchanted was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that the movie has some crude language ("bite me" "cute butt") and social drinking. It is supposed to be humorous when a character gets tipsy and has a drinking problem. There is violence, including fighting, knives, and swordplay and characters are in peril. A character is hit in the crotch in a slapstick fight. In a more serious fight, it appears that a character is killed, but it turns out not to be the case. Ella's mother becomes ill and dies. Ella is ordered to shoplift and due to the curse, must obey.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about what it was that made it possible for Ella to break the curse. What did she have to learn or feel to make that happen? They may want to talk about the theme of discrimination and segregation in the story. What creates prejudice?
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More on Ella Enchanted
What’s the Story?
In this version of the Cinderella story, well-meaning but careless fairy Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) tries to give a gift to newborn Ella (Anne Hathaway) by casting a spell that renders her forever obedient. But that meant that Ella must do whatever she's told. Literally. This becomes downright dangerous when Ella's mother dies and her father marries nasty Dame Olga ( Joanna Lumley). And it becomes downright deadly when an evil usurper orders Ella to commit murder. Ella's journey to find a way to break the spell has its own dangers as she meets up with elves, ogres, giants, fairies, and of course a very charming prince ( Hugh Dancy).
Is It Any Good?
If you want to experience the real pleasures of Ella Enachanted, do not expect a faithful re-creation of Gail Carson Levine's book. The plot, the characters, even the tone are very different, but the book's theme and lessons are all there, and in its own way, the film is endearing, enduring, and lots of fun.
Like Shrek, this is a fairy tale with some broad (and occasionally crude) humor and winking references to modern times. The movie works so hard to entertain that it feels a little hypercharged at times, cluttered with too many talented performers with too little to do. But the production design helps maintain the sense of magic. Hathaway is radiantly lovable and, as the prince, Dancy is more than the usual arm candy/swordsman. The way they learn to trust and respect each other enough to stop fighting the attraction they feel is unexpectedly tender.
Movie Details
Studio: Miramax, Director: Tommy O'Haver
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: 04/09/2004, DVD release: 08/24/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor and language
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: 04/09/2004, DVD release: 08/24/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor and language
Our Members Say
See all 36 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Educational
this book is the worst book I ever read
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
LOVED IT
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Absolutely NOTHING like the book
ok so this is NOT the same ella, char, or any other character you might of read about in the book. Not the same plot either by faaarrr. i mean its good as a movie, but horrible compared to the book. Might as well say ella enchanted book, instead of ella enchanted. I wish they made a new movie for the real plot.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
its an enchanted move...
a great famly movie. everything is in this wonderfull movie. fairies and magical spells for the little girls and ogers and giants for the boys. what could be better?! and ella is a perfect role model for others. the movie shows not to give up and allways try your hardest!
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
A perfect movie for the whole family!
Giants, ogres, and even fairies! All of them are packed into this wonderful fairy-tale. And Anne Hathaway does a wonderful job as girl whose troubled with a spell her fairy god-mother cast on her when she was a baby.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Nothing like the book
NOTHING LIKE THE BOOK!!!!
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Lives in Kansas -
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Most terrific movie ever!
I love this movie so much, i own it on DVD and watch it countless times! It may be very different from the book but I don't think that's a bad thing, it's good they decided to make the movie a little original! The genres is a mix of a musical, fantasy, action, adventure, comedy and romance all into one excellent and entertaining movie! The chemistry between Prince Char and Ella is lovely and there are so many moments that made me smile, laugh and cry. I'm a little concerned about the kissing scene between Ella and Prince Char, sweet, but too full on for little kids to see in my opinion. Over all though, 5 stars! If I could give it twenty stars out of twenty I would without a second thought! I reccomend buying the movie and listening to the soundtrack too!
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN!!!
I really relly love this movie! It's the best movie I've ever seen! A little concerned about the crude jokes. The kissing scene was very sweet and romantic but a little too full on and something I don't think little kids should see. The songs in the movies are classics and well chosen. I love it when Ella sings Somebody to Love, it's superb! The chemistry between Ella and Prince Char is beautiful and I always love a good romantic movie. It was also full of good messages about believing in yourself and never giving up. It's also a lovely light-hearted fantasy movie where you can have smiles, laughs and escape reality for an hour and a half. I've watched the DVD hudreds of times! Definately worth the money!
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN!!!
I really relly love this movie! It's the best movie I've ever seen! A little concerned about the crude jokes. The kissing scene was very sweet and romantic but a little too full on and something I don't think little kids should see. The songs in the movies are classics and well chosen. I love it when Ella sings Somebody to Love, it's superb! The chemistry between Ella and Prince Char is beautiful and I always love a good romantic movie. It was also full of good messages about believing in yourself and never giving up. It's also a lovely light-hearted fantasy movie where you can have smiles, laughs and escape reality for an hour and a half. I've watched the DVD hudreds of times! Definately worth the money!
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN!!!
I really relly love this movie! It's the best movie I've ever seen! A little concerned about the crude jokes. The kissing scene was very sweet and romantic but a little too full on and something I don't think little kids should see. The songs in the movies are classics and well chosen. I love it when Ella sings Somebody to Love, it's superb! The chemistry between Ella and Prince Char is beautiful and I always love a good romantic movie. It was also full of good messages about believing in yourself and never giving up. It's also a lovely light-hearted fantasy movie where you can have smiles, laughs and escape reality for an hour and a half. I've watched the DVD hudreds of times! Definately worth the money!
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
A girl film, but...
For a girl movie, it was actually okay. For anyone who likes fantasy.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
An amusing take on a classic story
I loved this movie! It's slap sticky without being too stupid. Anne Hathaway does a wonderful job as Ella. Your heart gets torn out by Ella's struggles with her "gift." Ella has a strong side and a tender side, much like Fiona in the Shrek movies. My 11-year-old daughter can't get enough of this movie, and she and I are always singing away by the end (the first time we watched it, she asked incredulously, "You KNOW these songs?"). My 5 and 7 year old sons like the movie, but they don't respond quite the same way. They just sit there looking at us while we sing.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
ELLA ENCHANTED this isn't the book...right?
The movie ELLA ENCHANTED like the title, enchants the audience with its witty lines and good heart. But if it is based on Gail Carson Levine's classic book...I'm somewhat confused. The central story is the same, but virtually none of the details are there. Like another classic movie, SHREK, ELLA tries to be a twisted version of other tales, which is a good thing in its case. I loved the movie, but it does the book no justice.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
An inspiring, clever hybrid of 'Ever After', 'Shrek' and 'Princess Diaries'
My twelve-year old daughter, my wife and I saw this film - none of us knew the book so came at it fresh. It was great to see so many good British actors - Eric Idle, Joanna Lumley - as well as the dazzlingly beautiful (ahem) Anne Hathaway. The story is a great twist on Cinderella, where the fairy godmother gives the baby Ella a "gift" of obedience. This soon turns into a curse when the evil stepsisters arrive.
The setting is medieval with modern touches (like wooden escalators etc). The characters are well drawn with very clever plots and subplots and Ella is a spunky, independent, likeable person. Thoroughly recommended, although maybe not suitable for very young children (the villainous King is VERY nasty) Anne Hathaway plays the part of Ella delightfully.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
watchable for parents
Visually interesting and with songs that seem selected to entertain the parents (Respect, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, etc.). One of the 5-year-olds with me got scared but after climbing into my lap watched and enjoyed the rest. Anne Hathaway, as in The Princess Diaries, is luminous and terrific.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Okay movie...but what happened?
The movie was okay, don't get me wrong, but what happened? This is absolutely nothing like the book nor have the changes improved the original story. This film made a complete parody of the wonderful book by Gail Carson Levine and while it had some good moments, I felt utterly disapointed and completely let down. I've been looking forward to seeing this book on the screen but this in no way lived up to the literary work it is "based" on (and I use the term "based" *very* loosely). If you've never read the book, I'm sure you'll most likely enjoy it at least some, but if you're watching it for the book, here's a clue: don't.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Delightful movie!!!
I truly enjoyed watching this movie with my kids. We were on the edge of our seats waiting to see how it would end. Even my 10 year old son enjoyed it, so it's not just a girly movie....like I thought when I rented it. Some of the scenes were a bit scary for my 6 year old, which is why I think you should definitely watch this with your kids, and not let them watch it on their own unless they are older.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it's educational |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say they notice product placement |
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