‘ELLA ENCHANTED’: A COLORFUL AND MUSICAL COMEDY
20+ years to its age, Ella Enchanted is still, like its title, excessively enchanting.
Ella Enchanted (2004) Film Review
Gifts are normally something everyone is grateful for and enjoys. When she was a small child, Ella was given the gift of obedience which her mother and fairy godmother Mandy (Minnie Driver) know is a terrible gift. Despite this, Ella grows up trying to forge her own way and be strong. Then years after her mother has died, her father remarries which brings a new kind of challenge in her life. Ella (Anne Hathaway) now has a stepmother and stepsisters who aren’t interested in bonding with Ella. Things get worse when her stepsister realizes Ella will do anything she is told.
Now Ella sets out to find the fairy who gifts her this and along the way she picks up a chipper dwarf (Aidan McArdle) and a handsome prince named Char (Hugh Dancy).
FILM REVIEW | ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ RETURNS TO THE NOT SO WONDERFUL WORLD OF OZ
‘ELLA ENCHANTED’: A COLORFUL AND MUSICAL COMEDY. Take a trip down memory lane with the filmography of #AnneHathaway! #EllaEnchanted #GoodMovie Share on XThis is a film I’ve seen multiple times but haven’t watched for years now. It’s a movie that entertains in ways we don’t anticipate and also one of those movies that really cannot be defined. Inspired by the Gail Carson Levine novel, and is definitely a fairytale and comedy, but also a period drama that we cannot put in any one timeframe. It’s very modern and doesn’t conform. In one way I don’t like this because watching a period drama means I want to be actually put in that timeframe. However, in a title like Ella Enchanted, I do give extra flexibility because the film blends the comedy with its fairytale elements nicely, and I think it all works
A follow-up role for Anne Hathaway after The Princess Diaries, this role suits her well and also is a precursor to some of her more musical roles. Of course, Hugh Dancy also plays the charming Char well, and the supporting cast is impressive, which includes Cary Elwes, Joanna Lumley and Lucy Punch. Colorful and cheerful, this is precisely the type of film you want to watch if you want to feel as happy as the songs the film uses. Ella Enchanted may be a favorite title for eye-rollers, but trust me, it’s easily one of the best mood boosters.
Stream, at publication, with MGM+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: this one has some innuendo and rude humor, but for the most part it does not abuse its PG rating.
MORE to browse
- 20 OF THE BEST FEEL-GOOD MOVIES NOW STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO
- ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ is the Best of Smart and Sophisticated
- HALLMARK MAY 2026 SCHEDULE: IT’S FOR THE MOMS AND MYSTERY
Thank you for visiting; please do return again soon.
Oh I remember this one.. such fun.
It IS such fun! Still made me laugh. :)
this sounds fun
Definitely is! So fun and colorful. :)