Parents Television Council Reviews

PTC reviews aim to provide you with advance information about an entertainment offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your family see.

Ella Enchanted

By Linda Skolnick

Opens: April 9, 2004

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Minnie Driver, Aidan McArdle

Co-Starring:  Vivica A. Fox, Cary Elwes, Lucy Punch, Jennifer Higham, Parminder K. Nagra
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Fantasy

MPAA Rating:  PG for some crude humor and language

Ella Enchanted is a hilarious fantasy-adventure, complete with ogres, wicked stepsisters, giants, elves, and fairytale magic!  Ella Enchanted tells an enchanting story of a young woman who must look inside herself for the power to overcome a painful spell and save the man she loves as well as his kingdom.  The film is rated PG for some mildly crude humor and language.  Throughout her journey, Ella reminds moviegoers of the importance of accepting others, following your heart, and learning to find your true self, making the film a wonderful story for parents and children alike.

Like all children in this fanciful world, Ella (Anne Hathaway) is given a "gift" at birth.  However, Ella's gift also acts as a curse- she must obey every command she is given, no matter how silly or dangerous!  From practicing her mandolin to stuffing her face with cake to stealing things at the Frell Galleria, any order Ella receives she executes immediately.  When Ella's mother passes away, she reminds Ella that what's in her heart is stronger than any spell, a message that Ella keeps with her always.  Ella never reveals her secret to anyone, and her beloved housemaid Mandy (Minnie Driver), who has been with her since birth, is the only one who knows her secret now.  While Ella has never wanted her gift, it isn't until her father remarries and introduces her two evil stepsisters that Ella runs into serious trouble.

Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham) are Ella's new and very evil stepsisters.  The two sisters are madly in love with Prince Char (Hugh Dancy) and Hattie becomes deeply jealous and very angry when she learns that Prince Char has taken a liking to Ella.  She learns of Ella's obedience spell and forces her to break ties with her best friend Areida (Parminder K. Nagra), making Ella so upset that she decides to find the fairy Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) and ask her to remove the spell of obedience.

With the help of Slannen (Aidan McArdle), a feisty little elf, and Mandy's boyfriend, a talking storybook, Ella embarks on an exciting journey through the woods.  Of course, what fairy tale would be complete without giants and ogres?  Ella nearly becomes ogre soup when she crosses paths with some hungry ogres.  Fortunately, Prince Char rushes to her rescue and accompanies her along her journey to Giantville.  Along the way, Ella describes the awful conditions that elves, giants, and ogres receive due to Sir Edgar's (Cary Elwes) unfair rules.  Prince Char realizes that he can save his subject and gains the confidence he needs to become king, thanks to Ella's courage and determination.

When Sir Edgar learns of Ella's obedience spell, he orders her to kill Prince Char at the Coronation Ball!  Finally realizing that only she can break this terrible spell, Ella fights Sir Edgar's command and breaks her spell forever. With the help of her friends, mainly a group of singing elves, angry ogres, and two tall giants, Ella saves Prince Char and the entire kingdom from Sir Edgar's evil rule. 

Ella Enchanted tells a heartwarming story of love and courage.  Ella has always dreamed of having her spell removed, but it isn't until she looks inside herself that she can be free.  Ella's compassionate heart and desire to help others make her an outstanding role model for children and adults alike.  Families can appreciate and enjoy the heartwarming and hilarious storyline as Ella's relationships with new friends unfold.

The film is rated PG for mildly crude humor and language, mainly a flatulence-related joke and stern commands towards Ella.  The film contains no sexual situations.  A reference to a drunken fairy is made, yet the scene is brief and unlikely to offend audiences.  Not a single profanity is uttered throughout the 95-minute film, making this fairy tale safe for the whole family!

Ella Enchanted offers families a chance to fall in love with a new fairy tale.  With fairy tale themes perfect for a child's imagination and humor and wit that prove delightfully entertaining for adults, Ella Enchanted is the perfect family movie.  The film reminds moviegoers that nothing is stronger than what lies in our hearts and with a little bit of hard work, determination, and good friends, anything is possible.

NOTE: Parents may want to consider reading the book with their child before watching the movie.  This will provide a great educational opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences.

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