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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Digital (5.1) Surround, Spanish, French Subtitled, Commentary, Deleted/Extended Scenes
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 is given a gift from her Fairy Godmother--the gift of obedience, which is also a curse. Under no circumstances can Ella refuse anything she is asked to do, no matter how wicked it may be. Tired of being taken advantage of, Ella, with a talking book as her companion, leaves home to find her Fairy Godmother and return her unwanted gift. This simple errand soon turns into an amazing journey filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves, and the plotting of Prince Charmont's evil uncle who wants to take over the Crown and rule the kingdom. Bursting with colorful characters, music, wit, and whimsy, Ella Enchanted is a truly enchanting and heartwarming tale that will captivate the entire family.
"The hoot and giggle of a girl-power fairy tale blended from potions of Monty Python, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," and Shrek." Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
"A hip, modern twist on a classic tale!" Thelma Adams, U.S. Weekly
Editor's Note
Similar to SHREK and THE PRINCESS BRIDE, this fantasy adventure, based on a book by Gail Carson Levine, combines fairy tale with sly, 21st century pop humor. Teenage Ella (THE PRINCESS DIARIES' Anne Hathaway) lives in Frell, a magical place where humans, fairies, ogres, and other mythical folk peacefully coexist. However, when power-mad Prince Regent Edgar (Cary Elwes) passes laws that segregate humans from everyone else, Ella becomes determined to win equal rights for all. This task presents a challenge for anyone, but especially for Ella, who at birth was given the dubious gift of obedience by Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox), a fairy with an attitude. When she finds an ally, and love interest, in the almost-king Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy), she invokes the ire of her witchy stepsister Hattie (Lucy Punch), who has figured out that Ella must obey any command. Between avoiding her stepsister, trying to break the spell, and restoring justice to the kingdom, will Ella find time for true love?The talented cast, featuring Eric Idle, Minnie Driver, Joanna Lumley, and Jimi Mistry, play up the jokes, including heartthrob posters of Prince Charmont from "Medieval Teen" magazine and a Middle Ages mall. Contemporary music, including songs sung by star Hathaway such as "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," and riotously colorful dance numbers, complement the anachronistic humor. With its mix of SLEEPING BEAUTY, CINDERELLA, and classic teen irony, ELLA ENCHANTED provides a timeless heroine.
| Features | "Ella Enchanted Red Carpet Premiere Special" | | "Happily Ever After" DVD-ROM Feature | | "Prince Charmont's Fan Club" Set-Top Game | | "The Magical World Of Ella Enchanted | | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Interactive Menus | | Music Video "It's Not Just Make-Believe" Performed By Kari Kimmel | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: Spanish | | The Magical World Of Ella Enchanted | | Happily Ever After DVD-ROM Feature | | Feature Commentary With Director Tommy O'Haver, Anne Hathaway, And Hugh Dancy | | Prince Charmont's Fan Club Set-Top Game | | Ella Enchanted Red Carpet Premiere Special | | Widescreen Presentation | | Music Video It's Not Just Make-Believe Performed By Kari Kimmel | | Deleted And Extended Scenes |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Buena Vista (Disney) |
| Release Date: 9/1/2006 |
| Running Time: 96 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2004 | | Catalog ID: 3647103 | | UPC: 00786936244892 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Entertainment Weekly
"[T]he sharpest jokes in this cheerily pudding-colored-looking production are visual..." 04/16/2004 p.56New York Times
"Ms. Hathaway is an appealingly gangly, dark-eyed beauty with a streak of natural vivacity that recalls 1940's actresses like Ann Sheridan and Linda Darnell." 04/09/2004 p.E24 Los Angeles Times
"[T]he film gains momentum as it goes along." 04/09/2004 p.C14 Premiere
"[Hathaway] really is quite talented..." 05/01/2004 p.20 Chicago Sun-Times
ELLA ENCHANTED is enchanted, all right....It's a high-spirited charmer, a fantasy that sparkles with delights. A lot of the fun is generated because it takes place in a world that is one part CINDERELLA, one part SHREK, and one part THE PRINCESS BRIDE." 04/09/2004 p.33 Movieline's Hollywood Life
"A couple of musical sequences are beguiling..." 05/01/2004 p.100-2 James Berardinelli's ReelViews 2 of 10
The book Ella Enchanted is a wonderful fairy tale that has been, is, and will be treasured by
Chicago Sun-Times 9 of 10
Ella Enchanted is enchanted, all right. Based on the beloved novel by Gail Carson Levine, it' - Roger Ebert
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