(April 27, 2004)
Ella Enchanted Review

Without seeing any trailers or advertisements, on the strength of the book alone, 
I saw Ella Enchanted this weekend - and I wasn't disappointed. Though the movie takes 
several large steps away from several parts of the book, it was still a well crafted 
story and a lot of fun to see. A PG movie is rare these days, but I think they are more 
fun for people of all ages than the films that shoot for the "higher" ratings. This movie 
would be fun for the entire family - as long as they have a taste for fairy tales.

The basic plot revolves around an unwanted fairy's gift to a baby. Ella is "gifted" with 
obedience, which, though it doesn't sound half bad to most parents at first, is one of the 
worst gifts imaginable. When directly commanded to do anything, by anyONE, the magic makes 
her comply. She can't hide her gift forever, though, and when her standard wicked stepsisters 
discover it, she must leave home to find the fairy who gave it to her and beg her to take it 
back. 

The director took some pointers from the recent medieval movie "A Knight's Tale" when creating 
"Ella Enchanted". Modern music and terms (like shopping malls and fan clubs) are everywhere, as 
well as some very silly sight gags (an escalator of wooden steps at the aforementioned mall), 
but it wasn't distracting or detracting. I actually found them to be funny instead of 
annoying or intrusive. The feel of the show is very relaxed, and while you can tell that 
the costumers and set designers have done their research, they also had a lot of fun messing 
with the basics and adding modern touches.

Ella was enchanting, Prince Char was good hearted and the sidekicks ans secondary characters 
were amusing, but the evil usurper-king was the best. Cary Elwes had WAY too much fun playing 
the evil uncle of the young Crown Prince. He gloated, he connived, he plotted and slunk and 
grinned his way through each scene with the skill of an actor who has done well in both serious 
movies and outright spoofs.

Despite not being the book ("Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine - which I reccommend), "Ella 
Enchanted" was frivolous but fun. It brings up some good questions about life and how we live it, 
acting instead of being acted upon, and the choices we make forming who we become. It's a good 
movie for families and friends alike.