Parents' Guide to

Ella Enchanted

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Endearing, enduring, with just a few bits of crude humor.

Movie PG 2004 96 minutes
Ella Enchanted Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 10 parent reviews

ahoffmann
ahoffmann Parent of 5-year-old
April 6, 2013
age 7+

No sexy stuff? I beg to differ!!!

I'm not sure who rates these movies, but this movie has a zero rating for "sexy stuff" but Ella and the prince kiss MULTIPLE times...and not just a peck, but real kissing. I could have dealt with once, but it was at least three times or more. I think this at least deserves mentioning! My 7 year old girl doesn't need to be seeing that and had the ratings mentioned it, I wouldn't have chosen to watch the movie. There are also tons of screaming, boy crazy girls who swoon and chase after the prince every time they see him. They even kiss the ground where he walks and someone says, "stop tonguing the foyer, girls." Call me prude, but I just thought it was a little inappropriate for young girls, or at least those who are still innocent. The story was cute and we enjoyed it, I just wish this aspect would have been at least mentioned.

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
meydiana.rizki
meydiana.rizki Parent of 18-year-old
October 24, 2022
age 9+

One for Vaults

Ella Enchanted, starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Minnie Driver, and Eric Idle, is a contemporary epic fairy tale, sitting on the top shelf with such classics as The Wizard of Oz, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. A deeply telling and romantic tale, set in the land of magic, with many important messages, ranging from personal freedom, self empowerment, truth, and equality, to the simple pleasures that create the beautiful contrast of fairy tales, humor, song, beauty, friendship. A family movie, Ella Enchanted will be enjoyed by adults and children, and is sure to bring a warmth to your heart. Anne Hathaway steals your heart with her charm, personality, and ability to carry the movie no matter where it leads, with great beauty and skill. The supporting roles are cute, witty, and fill out the movie in all the right places. This is one for the vaults, and the DVD collection

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 10 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (48):

If you want to experience the real pleasures of Ella Enchanted, 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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