A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Ella Enchanted

Date Viewed: 5/9/04

Details:

Anne Hathaway

Hugh Dancy

Cary Elwes

Vivica A. Fox

Minnie Driver

Eric Idle

Director: Tommy O'Haver

Score: 0

The Review: After a three-month hiatus in movie-going -- to accommodate moving my office, lab, home and library to another state -- this was a bit of a disappointment as my reintroduction to the silver screen. This is a Princess Bride wannabe that doesn't quite make the cut. Not bad, not great, slightly twisted romp through the fringes of Cinderella mythdom with occasionally curious narration by Eric Idle as a fairy, and the hero of Princess Bride (Elwes) miscast as the evil usurper uncle.

Hathaway is fun and (always) attractive as Ella of Frell, "gifted" at birth -- by a fairy godmother with a bizarre sense of humor or simple incompetence (?) -- with obedience, and cursed by the consequences of the Fates (or Ella's subconscious) interpreting this gift somewhat too literally. The myth starts falling off the rails when she takes up the cause of freedom for the ogres, giants and elves who have been suppressed by surrogate King & Regent Edgar (Elwes), then heads off on quest throughout the kingdom to find her fairy godmother to get her "gift" rescinded.

Dancy is an earnest hunk of a prince about to become king. Minnie Driver is wasted as Ella's well-intentioned but definitely inept household fairy. The only really interesting character was the snake Heston, a very well-done animation.

(12-May-04)

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