Enchanting is the Word
Ella is Fairy Tale Fun

Imagine a movie that is one part The Princess Bride and one part Shrek. Imagine a fairy tale that knows it's a fairy tale. Imagine a story set in "Once Upon a Time..." but it isn't afraid to make modern-day jokes that The Brothers Grimm would never understand. Put all this together, and you will have a pretty good understanding of Ella Enchanted.

Starring Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries) as Ella, this fairy-tale turned sideways is an adaptation of the young adult novel by Gail Carson Levine. In this retelling of the classic Cinderella story, baby Ella is given the "gift" of obedience by her fairy godmother Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). As Ella grows older, however, the spell becomes a curse. Without a way to counteract the curse, she is forced to do whatever she is told, no matter who tells her to do it.

And so Ella embarks on a quest to seek out her fairy godmother and ask her to reverse the spell. Along the way, she makes friends with an elf and some giants, and (naturally) she falls in love with a prince. As the story progresses, she uncovers a plot to usurp the prince from the throne, but because she told to keep it a secret, she can't get help from anyone.

The story is delightfully entertaining, and the "gift" is played for some clever laughs. Being chased by guards, Ella hangs suspended in mid-air after one of the guards yells "Freeze!" When told by the prince "Wait here" she finds herself rooted to the road while an oncoming carriage threatens to run her down.

Best of all, however, are numerous anachronisms that make the whole thing one big laugh. From the opening melody of ELO's "Strange Magic" to the wooden escalator at the "galleria," this is one strange tale. The prince has a fan club. Ella and her friend as politically active ("Say no to Ogrecide!"). And Slannen the Elf (Aidan McArdle) wants to be a lawyer. Of course, the story includes the prerequisite evil step-sisters, ogres, elves, giants, fairies, and a handsome prince Charmont ("Char" to his friends -- played by Hugh Dancy).

As the Prince Regent Edgar is Cary Elwes (better known as Wesley in The Princess Bride). It's wonderful to see him in such a deliciously evil role. Likewise, the supporting cast (including Minnie Driver, Eric Idle, and Heidi Klum) helps bring the whole story to life.

One of the best moments in the film, however, comes not from laughs but in song. Anne Hathaway has a chance to shine when she is ordered by the giants to sing for them. As it turns out, she really has a good voice. I won't tell you what she sings (that's part of the charm of the film), but she does an excellent job. I liked it so much, I bought the soundtrack.

True, Ella Enchanted is for kids, with girls being the target audience. But even as an adult, I found it very amusing. It's a good story about being yourself and making your own destiny. All in all, I think it's a good film for all kids, girls and boys.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 95 min.

Enchanting is the Word Ella is Fairy Tale Fun

Enchanting is the Word
Ella is Fairy Tale Fun