The first time I watched this movie I was very disappointed, because I have been a fan of the book since I was little and there's not much left of the book in this film. It's a shame they decided to edit out so many things, and felt compelled to add a villian when in the original story the curse was villian enough. Many of the book's best parts (the Cinderella masquerade ball, Ella's father actually playing a part in the book's plotline, the wedding sequence) are missing. But on re-watching it, I think it has its own merits. It's still clever and funny. Anne Hathaway is ideal and you never lose interest watching her as with other fairytale heroines. Kids of all ages will love it, and will appeal to both sexes thanks to equal amounts romance and action. There is some violence, but nothing kids over 8 can't handle. In short, it's a pretty good family film as long you don't expect it to have much to do with the book.