Ella Enchanted

Though the movie was released in 2004, I didn't get around to seeing it until October 15, 2006:

 

Ella Enchanted is the tale of a girl who was given the gift of obedience as a child; she must obey any command given to her. The story has many parallels with the Cinderella tale (which doubtless explains the basis for Ella's name). When her wicked step-sister discovers this `gift' and starts to make ruinous demands for Ella to obey, Ella decides to go on a quest to get rid of her gift. She must find the fairy who gave it to her so that it might be removed. She takes a talking book to guide her, meets an elf to accompany her, avoids being eaten by ogres thanks to the intervention of a handsome prince, and arrives in the land of giants. Anne Hathaway does a great job of playing Ella. Cary Elwes, best remembered as Westley from The Princess Bride, plays the villainous uncle with plans to kill his soon to be crowned nephew (a la Scar from The Lion King). He has a talking snake named Heston that seemed very like Kaa from Disney's Jungle Book. Though not Shrek, the ogres are quite a lot of fun. This is a whimsical film where the fights are Batman-like (TV show) in which no one dies and the heroine's only weapon is her steadfast determination. It's fun and fine entertainment for the whole family. Thumbs up!

 

Looking back at this, one of the funniest parts is that Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) from Downtown Abbey plays Nish the Ogre; the dancing ogres is not to be missed.  This is one of Lucy Punch's four outings as Cinderella's stepsister; she is so good in the role that she keeps being asked to reprise it in every Cinderella production.