| Overall Grade: |
C+ |
|
| Story: |
N/A |
|
|
| Acting: |
N/A |
|
|
| Direction: |
N/A |
|
|
| Visuals: |
N/A |
|
|
Is this really Ella Enchanted?
by k (movies profile)
Feb 23, 2008
213
of
259 people found this review helpful
I love the book Ella Enchanted! I have read it and re-read it for years, and to this day it is still one of my favorite books of all time! So of course I was thrilled when I heard they were making an Ella Enchanted movie. But when I went to see the movie I was horrified! What happened to the Ella Enchanted story I adore so much? It's like they picked out the names and places of the book and made a whole new story!
The main idea of the book is how Ella (Anne Hathaway) is given a "gift" of obedience at birth by a careless fairy Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). The main idea of the movie however is how Ella must save the kingdom and Prince Char (Hugh Dancy) from Char's evil uncle (Cary Elwes). Hello?! Where did the evil uncle come from?! They must have pulled this one right out of the air, because there is NOTHING about an uncle in the book, in fact Char has two wonderful parents!
And other beloved parts of the book are gone, such as finishing school which is unheard of in the movie. And what is this nonsence of Giants being slaves and Elves being singers and dancers?
And what about the character of Slannen (Aidan McArdle)? Slannen is only mentioned in about 5 pages of the book! So why is he now a main character! And the talking book as Mandy's boyfriend?! There is a fairy book that Ella has in the book but it definatly didn't talk! And what of Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley), Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham)? Instead of rich, money loving, pigs like in the book they are snooty and prissy. And Sir Peter, Ella's father! In the movie he is a loveable yet always on the go character. Instead of the greedy, weaseling, careless salesperson who cares to be out around the world cheating creatures out of their money, instead of at home with his family (who he knows nothing about), like in the book.
Also what of the character of Mandy (Minnie Driver)? She wasn't a bad fairy in the book, she just wasn't as stupid as Lucinda! In the movie she is young looking and just a nurse-maid! The book-Mandy was a plump, old, stern grandmother like figure!
Although I was no short of appalled at the movie's story line the acting impressive. Anne Hathaway is an outstanding actress and Hugh Dancy did an excellent job. And Vivica A. Fox did a great job in a worthy representation of her character. Although Cary Elwes performance was dissapointing, he did an outstanding job in "The Princess Bride", but in Ella Enchanted his acting is stale and his character, cheesy.
So, if you are planning to go and see the movie, my advice to you is, don't! Reread the book instead, you'll have a MUCH better time!! |
My Public Profile 
