 | 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. |
Happily N'Ever After
- Review Date: April 30, 2007
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Shrek wannabe isn't offensive ... or fun.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although kids may want to see this animated fairy tale "reimagining," it's not really worth their time. The movie revises the Cinderella story in order to let the "bad guys" win ... for a minute. This results in some minor violence, much dastardly laughter, and temporary changes to familiar fairy tale plots (Rumplestiltskin steals the baby, Sleeping Beauty doesn't wake up, etc.). Many genre clichés are played out here: The wicked stepmother is mean, her daughters are obnoxious, the prince is dimwitted, and wolves, trolls, and the giant are ugly and lumbering. There's a little bit of potty humor, and a couple of none-too-menacing scenes in the dark woods. The cartoony violence primarily consists of falls and inconsequential explosions (no one dies).
What's the story?
According to the narrator, lowly dishwasher Rick (Freddie Prinze Jr.), HAPPILY N'EVER AFTER is a variation on Cinderella. Wicked stepmother Frieda (Sigourney Weaver) has grown weary of always "losing" the battle between good and evil in her much-repeated story. Seeking redress, she seizes the magical staff belonging to the wizard (George Carlin) and declares herself the winner. Frieda is proactive, calling together assorted villains -- trolls, wolves, witches, and a giant -- in order to thwart Ella (Sarah Michelle Gellar)'s happy ending.
Is it any good?
Rick's narration is colored by his own desire for Ella. But since she feels compelled to follow the plot of "the book" dutifully and repeatedly, she only has eyes for lunkheaded, big-chested Prince Humperdinck (Patrick Warburton). (He, for one, has no problem with his role, as he's able to admire himself as others do.) Only resentful Rick seems capable of imagining another option -- at least until he feels rejected by Ella, at which point the plot takes a pause while Rick sulks.
Oddly lackadaisical, Happily N'Ever After also has shoddy animation and an uninspired soundtrack. Everyone involved apparently worked only halftime: Weaver's evil cackle seems on a loop, a singing duet by Prinze and Gellar sounds like it was recorded on a four-track in someone's basement, and the wizard literally appears for two minutes at film's start before he smartly abandons the movie. You'll wish you had the good sense to walk out with him.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's premise -- that all fairy tales follow a basic plot and might need to be invigorated. How would you change the plots of these familiar stories? Is there another way to change the ending without focusing on "good" and "evil" characters? How does Rick's point of view affect the movie? What might happen if Ella didn't decide to like him in the end? What do you think happens to Ella's stepsisters? What other movies have covered similar territory? What makes this one better/worse than those?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
This Is A Bad Rotten Film. Skip It!
this is a Dumb Film. This is a pain in the neck. This Is A Stupid Idiot-boy Film. Want the film? Skip It!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I fell asleep watching this!
My 2 year old liked it because it was a cartoon, but neither i nor my husband liked it. I fell asleep while watching this movie because it was so boring.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I laughed
tis is a movie that all kids would most likey enjoy if they are young
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This was AWFUL
This movie BLEW. I had really wanted to see it because the previews looked cutsie and my girlfriend seemed to be excited about the voice talent list. This was pretty much an uninspired peice of garbage. It was a waste of 22 bucks [we live in new york city]and over an hour of our lives. You can pretty much tell it stinks after the first minute or so. The music was uninspired [like the plot], and the animation is pretty haphazard. I don't know much time it took to produce this movie, but it obviously was not enough. I would wait for that "friend" to get it for you on bootleg. It's not even worth waiting for the DVD, the 5 bucks you'd spend to rent is way too much. We were so dissapointed. Please don't brung ANYONE that you care about to this film. It's TERRIBLE.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Boring and unfunny
Not unfunny in that the jokes were crude or anything. There was nothing offensive, but it just wasn't funny.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Okay
I thought it was a cute comedy, nothing liek shrek, but it was fun for the kids, so I thought it was good.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
June 16, 2011
AGE
If you like this movie,you're either a baby or you're stupid.
Parents,don't waste your money on this movie.It's terrible.If you buy this off of eBay and it says its a great movie,they're lying so they can get rid of their DVD.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures |
| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Paul J. Bolger |
| Cast: | Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 4, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | May 1, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild action and rude humor. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
