Ella Enchanted (2004)

50% of critics liked it
(114 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(318,196 ratings)

Adapted from author Gail Carson Levine's award-winning children's book of the same name, the Miramax-financed modern fantasy Ella Enchanted is directed by Tommy O'Haver and stars The Princess Diaries alumna Anne Hathaway. Ella (Hathaway) lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of… More Adapted from author Gail Carson Levine's award-winning children's book of the same name, the Miramax-financed modern fantasy Ella Enchanted is directed by Tommy O'Haver and stars The Princess Diaries alumna Anne Hathaway. Ella (Hathaway) lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey she hopes will end with the lifting of the curse in question. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant magical creatures ranging from ogres to talking books with evil plots. Though perilous, Ella's adventures turn out to be necessary obstacles in the path toward finding herself, and maybe even true love along the way. Ella Enchanted also features Cary Elwes, who has starred in a fantasy feature himself (the widely acclaimed The Princess Bride), Hugh Dancy, and Patrick Bergin, among others. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Tommy O'Haver
Written By: Laurie Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, Michele J. Wolf, Jennifer Heath
Genres: Kids & Family, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 9, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 2004
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

David Rooney, Variety
A thoroughly charming performer with a bracing freshness about her that carries the film, [Hathaway] establishes credible chemistry with Brit thesp Dancy.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
An overcalculated fusion of Shrek and The Princess Bride with all the smarts replaced by smartass.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It had some creative touches, but I thought the special effects were kind of cheesy.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
In its innocence, sweet heart and abundant wit, it has more going for it, by my accounting, than a dozen more expensive-looking films.
Teresa Wiltz, Washington Post
This all makes for good and entertaining fun, from the musical numbers of 1980s pop tunes to the flamboyant fight scenes. For a while. But you've seen this all before.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Mostly ... the film bubbles along happily.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Endearing, enduring, and lots of fun.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Anne Hathaway is the cheery spark in this glitzy girl's fantasy story from screenwriters Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde").
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
The Narrator begins and ends the story talking about how fairy tales transport us to another place, but the sad fact is that Ella lets us stay right where we are.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Avoids a misstep common among girl-empowerment flicks, which often emasculate the male lead to make the heroine truly heroic… manages to make both leads appealing.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Hey, it's better than the Shrek films.
Harry Haun, Film Journal International
The idea of mixing the modern with the medieval is a dubious Mulligan's stew -- and annoys quickly.
Jorge Avila Andrade, Moviola
'El público seguramente quedará encantado por la inocencia, el humor y la magia de una película a la que seguramente el tiempo dará el lugar que merece.'

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sophie B

Great for little girls and whilst the art direction was brilliant, not much else was.
erika b

one of the best family film that has a lot of love , action and funny parts.
Cassie H

A girl who has always done whatever she is told to do learns to live without rules & falls in love.
Richard C

i hate this movie so much. anne hathaway is so much better than this. i dont recommend at all. D
Wahida K

A tiny bit like Cinderalla. Nice fantasy characters and some LOL moments.
Film C

Its a nice little movie and its watchable and its easy light hearted movie and a romance film!
Candy R

Funny and enchanting movie. Ella is under a spell to be obedient.
Dean M

This lively comedy fantasy is one of the better Cinderella variations. It should be alike Shrek in the live-action fairy tales and Anne Hathaway does a wonderful performance as Ella, who is cursed with the gift of obedience by a fairy - she does… More
This lively comedy fantasy is one of the better Cinderella variations. It should be alike Shrek in the live-action fairy tales and Anne Hathaway does a wonderful performance as Ella, who is cursed with the gift of obedience by a fairy - she does whatever anyone tells her, that was really funny with magic, slapstick and songs.
Kylie B

For a 'modern' teen orientated reworking of a fairy tale this is not bad. I especially like the costumes.
Arash X

Almost unbearable & Hathaway is annoying as usual, Oh and about that ridiculous dance sequence at the end It was like they're trying to shove good feeling down our throats & I felt nauseated
Megan S

It was cute enough. It was like a mix of Ever After and the Wizard of Oz. I actually think it was a little disturbing for a kids movie.
Alice S

A funny, unconventional fairy tale with the requisite ooh's and aww's of course. Anne Hathaway does some really nice crying and singing.
Jennifer X

you have no idea how much i regret seeing this in the theater. lapse of judgment there.
Rachel F

This was a cute movie and Hugh Dancy is very easy on the eyes.
Sanjaya &

Another sweet & charming movie from Hathaway since Princess Diaries.. She's the real princess!!!
Leigh R

Pretty cute...
Emily A

The premise of this movie is really original and interesting, and I like the social conscious message at the core of this film. Apart from that, the casting and visual effects in this movie were great, as was the script. All around great film.
Deb S

Ella is a young lady with a terrible secret. She was "gifted" with a spell that compels her to be obedient to any command. Her father remarries and one of her new step-sisters figures out she has to do whatever she's told. So she tells Ella to steal and say hurtful… More
Ella is a young lady with a terrible secret. She was "gifted" with a spell that compels her to be obedient to any command. Her father remarries and one of her new step-sisters figures out she has to do whatever she's told. So she tells Ella to steal and say hurtful things for fun. Of course some of the things she has to do bring a chuckle. As you can imagine this creates problems when she falls in love with Prince Char, heir to the throne of Frell. The plot centers on Ella's attempt to break the curse and win her prince in the end. The parallels to the story of Cinderella are subtle and charming and (Lucinda) Vivica A. Fox was hilarious as the fairy godmother but the snake stole the show.
George K

Fun Family Film! Anne Hathaway is one of my favorites. Every time I saw Cary Elwes in this film...I thought of the "Princess Bride" movie. There's something for everyone in this film: Romance, Action, Comedy, and childhood fantasy.
Richard F

A sloppy rehash of "Ever After", but with one element of originality. This "twist", is that Ella lives with a spell cast upon her in which she must do anything that she is told. This lends itself to a few laughs, but Anne Hathaway's beauty, charm, and wit is… More
A sloppy rehash of "Ever After", but with one element of originality. This "twist", is that Ella lives with a spell cast upon her in which she must do anything that she is told. This lends itself to a few laughs, but Anne Hathaway's beauty, charm, and wit is the only ray of hope in this otherwise rather hopeless endeavor. Don't fall under the spell that would tempt you to watch this film, for there is nothing 'enchanting' about this debacle.