Watch Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted is a charming fantasy film that came out in 2004, directed by Tommy O'Haver and starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, and Cary Elwes. Based on the novel by Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted follows the story of a young girl named Ella who must navigate a magical world filled with fairies, princes, and mystical creatures, all while trying to break a curse that forces her to obey every command.

The story begins with a young Ella who is given the "gift" of obedience by a fairy named Lucinda. As a result, Ella must obey every command she is given, no matter how dangerous or absurd it may be. Her mother dies, leaving her with a selfish and unloving father who sends her off to boarding school. While at school, Ella befriends a few other students and learns more about the curse on her, ultimately leading her on a journey to break the curse and regain control of her own life.

Along the way, Ella meets a charming prince, charming in both personality and looks, named Prince Charmont or Char for short. Char is trying to stop his uncle, Prince Regent Edgar, from taking over the kingdom and enslaving the giants. In addition, Char's mother recently passed and he is struggling with the burden of becoming king. Char and Ella quickly fall for each other, much to the disapproval of Prince Regent Edgar.

Ella embarks on a thrilling adventure to break the curse and becomes entangled in the power struggle of the kingdom. She meets a variety of colorful characters such as Slannen the elf, who is surprisingly tall for an elf and against his people's policy to join giants, and Mandy, a quirky old woman who helped Ella at a young age with her curse, posing as Ella's godmother. However, as Ella gets closer to breaking her curse, Prince Regent Edgar becomes increasingly more aggressive and dangerous, leading to a final showdown between the kingdoms.

Overall, the film is a delightful watch and perfect for families. It is full of humor, action, romance, and great music. Anne Hathaway plays a strong, independent heroine in Ella, while Hugh Dancy is the perfect embodiment of a charming and good-hearted prince. The supporting cast is also fantastic, with Cary Elwes delivering a great performance as the evil Prince Regent Edgar. The film does an excellent job of combining classic fairy tale tropes with modern twists, making it an engaging and fun experience for viewers of all ages.

The themes of friendship, equality, and self-empowerment are also prevalent throughout the film. Through Ella's struggles, we see the importance of standing up for oneself, even when it may be difficult. Additionally, the film highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and fairness, regardless of their social status or background.

In terms of visual effects and production design, Ella Enchanted holds up well for a film from 2004. The CGI creatures and fairy tale settings are whimsical and immersive, transporting viewers to a magical world filled with wonder and adventure.

In conclusion, Ella Enchanted is a fun and heartfelt fantasy film that will leave viewers feeling inspired and satisfied. Its colorful characters, enchanting story, and fantastic cast make it a must-watch for fans of fairy tales and adventures.

Ella Enchanted is a 2004 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 53.