Ella Enchanted
- Review Date: August 21, 2004
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2004
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Common Sense Media says
Endearing, enduring, with just a few bits of crude humor.
 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Ella Enchanted 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 there are a couple scary scenes where a main character is 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.
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
Talk about the theme of discrimination and segregation in the story. What creates prejudice?
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Kid, 12 years old
March 16, 2010
AGE
TERRIBLE! WORST MOVIE EVER!
AAAUGH!!!!! this movie is terrible!especially if you loved the book.i don't see how the author of the book let them make that bad of a movie!I mean, the prince char fan club. Seriously.
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Parent
October 27, 2010
AGE
Not Like The Book, But Still A Good Movie
Quick note: we had not read the book when we watched this movie. If you do watch it, keep in mind that it is not going to be like the book. We initially watched this for my daughter, who was 6 at the time, but to my surprise my 9 year old son actually got caught up in the story, too. Nothing objectionable, really, though there are scary moments. There is violence, but nothing truly terrible. Good story, good acting, and nice to see a strong heroine overcoming her own "curse" to become who she wants and needs to be. Also a good story about tolerance of differences and how different people working together, each using their own strengths, can make a difference.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
August 21, 2009
AGE
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.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
August 11, 2009
AGE
Nothing like the book
NOTHING LIKE THE BOOK!!!!
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Teen, 16 years old
November 18, 2010
AGE
Cute... :)
Nice love story. It's very cute and quirky. Ella is a strong character who speaks her mind even when she has a hard life. She is a great role model. No concerns really. But there are some sad bits and some violent scenes....
I loved it and can watch it over and over and over :)
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
December 28, 2009
AGE
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.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
October 17, 2010
AGE
ella enchanted
Dissapointing for people who have read the book.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 24, 2010
AGE
Love it
I love this movie and I am a teenageer!!LOL
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
September 5, 2010
AGE
I love this movie! Anne Hathaway does an excellent job in this movie. Funny,sad,romantic, all in one package :)
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| Topics: | Magic and fantasy, Princesses and fairies, Book characters |
| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Tommy O'Haver |
| Cast: | Anne Hathaway, Cary Elwes, Hugh Dancy |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 9, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | August 24, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some crude humor and language |
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