Ella Enchanted
(2004)
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Ella is under a spell to be constantly obedient, a fact she must hide from her new step-family in order to protect the prince of the land, her friend for whom she's falling. |
Fairy tales are engagingly deconstructed in director Tommy O'Haver's overly spiced-up adaptation of Gail Carson Levine's teen bestseller. Spirited Anne Hathaway plays Ella of Frell, cursed at birth to obey every command, who navigates her way through a revisionist onslaught of villainous stepsisters, enslaved ogres and show-tune singing elves to conquer her fears and uncover a plot to kill the handsome Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy). Blending contemporary morals, pop culture references, neat production design (a shopping mall with wooden escalators), exemplary fantasy vistas (the Manhattan-styled magic kingdom) and classic hit songs (the final cheeky bow has everyone singing Don't Go Breakin' My Heart), this is a camp mess but a hugely appealing one. Vibrant support from wicked stepmother Joanna Lumley, nanny Minnie Driver and evil regent Cary Elwes helps enormously, as does Eric Idle's witty narration.