Oh who doesn't love a good Cinderella story? Especially when it's been turned on it's ear just a tad? Well, I do. I really enjoyed this one a great deal.
We have little Ella living in a land of fairies, ogres, elves and giants. As a baby her God-Mother fairy gives her a gift: The gift of obedience. How much does that suck? Yep, Ella is doomed to having to do exactly what anyone tells her to do. Is that some kind of set up or what?
We have the requisite evil step mom and two evil step sisters, along with the Prince about to be named king, and his ever so dastardly uncle who has all but ruined the kingdom in his reign as regent. The entire female populaion is just agog over the dashing Prince Charmont.. all except Ella that is. She's very political you see, and has no truck with the royals who have turned the other races into slaves.
Char and Ella meet up in a most delightful confrontation and go on a most excellent adventure together.
The main reason I wanted to see this one is Cary Elwes. You know him, you drooled over him as Westley in A Princess Bride. Well he's a little older now but still quite the hunka hunka.. even in an evil role. And oh my he does do evil quite tastily. That ornery grin is still there, and the fun elements of both Bride and Men in Tights is decidedly there. Elwes didn't disappoint me in the slightest.
As Ella we have the capable Anne Hathaway from Princess Diaries. I really like Hathaway. She impressed me here quite a bit. She's tough, fun, torn, helpless, and determined. Every single emotion comes across well.
Hugh Dancy (Black Hawk Down) is our Prince Char. This young man did a most excellent job here. He has a very regal stance about him which leads you to believe he could be a prince in real life. He's flabergasted, likable, and fair. He just wants to do the right thing and win the hand of Ella in the process. I very much look forward to seeing him as Galahad this summer when King Arthur is finally released.
The other one I liked real well in this was Minnie Driver as the house fairy. I adore Driver and have not yet seen a flick she was in that I don't like... yes, that includes her bit with David Duchovney in Return to Me. She's just as fun here as in everything else she's done. She has that stance that just cracks me up, especially when paired that eye roll of hers and flip of her hand. Good choice for this spot.
Director Tommy O'Haver doesn't have many credits to his name yet.. and none of them really memorable. I've not even heard of them, actually.. Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss? Anyone? Hmm. Well he did a bang up job with this, that's for sure. It helps that he had decent actors and a nice fun script.
Don't go in thinking this is a straight up fairytale though. It's based on Cinderella alright, but it's done with a nod to Hellguland's A Knight's Tale in that it's a bit anachronistic on purpose. I do have to say that as much as I love Tale, this one did a better job of merging modern elements with a Medieval setting. I especially loved the pumpkin carriage with the Yellow Cab graphics on it. Too damn funny.
Rated PG for some crude humor and language. Oh get over it. This theater was packed for the second matinee and hte majority were young teens with some 5-10 year olds tossed into the mix. No harm, no foul at all. the younger of the set didn't even notice the zingers fly over their heads. heh.
Solid 4 stars and I highly recommend this one. Worth every penny of admission to the theater.
Ok. I went to the theater yesterday with every intention of seeing something that just opened.. but no, I ended up back in Ella Enchanted. For me to be that drawn to seeing it again and coughing up admittance twice.. well.. I'm raising this to 5 stars.
Is obedience a gift or a curse? Bursting with colorful characters, music, wit, and whimsy, this is a truly enchanting and heartwarming tale that will ...More at eCOST.com
Anne Hathaway, the delightful star of The Princess Diaries, is Ella in the charming fairy tale adventure Ella Enchanted. On the day of her birth, Ella...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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