Ella Enchanted

Ella 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 to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.

Year: 2004

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Comedy

Studio: World 2000 Entertainment, Enchanted Productions

Director: Tommy O'Haver

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Aidan McArdle, Joanna Lumley, Lucy Punch

Crew: Laurie Craig (Screenplay), Karen McCullah (Screenplay), Kirsten Smith (Screenplay), Jennifer Heath (Screenplay), Tommy O'Haver (Director), Michele J. Wolff (Screenplay)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Release: Apr 09, 2004

IMDb: 6.50/10 by 1,865 users

Popularity: 6

Country: Ireland, United Kingdom

Language: English

Budget: 31,000,000

Revenue: 27,400,000

Keyword : based on novel or book, elves, magic, fairy tale, fairy, prince, fantasy world, giant, ogre, obedience, fairy godmother

Comment

RalphRahal 2025, Jan 06

Ella Enchanted is a whimsical fairy tale that manages to stand out, even if it doesn’t quite reach perfection. The first act does a great job introducing the characters, setting up the plot, and establishing the unique charm of this world. The second act keeps a solid pace, building on the adventure and humor, and it all leads to a satisfying climax in the final act. While the cinematography and editing aren't flawless, they don’t detract from the experience either, they're just there, doing their job without standing out. What really sets this movie apart is its message about consent, autonomy, and freedom. These themes hit differently today than they did in 2004. Sure, the whimsical elements might feel over-the-top or gimmicky at times, but they also give the movie a unique personality. It’s a fun watch that knows exactly what it’s trying to say and follows through on that. For a film directed by Tommy O'Haver, who doesn’t have a big name or portfolio, it’s a respectable effort