Get enchanted.

Ella Enchanted (1997) is based on the award-winning novel by Gail Carson. Ella (Hathaway) is given the gift of obedience by her eccentric Fairy Godmother (Vivica Fox) when she wouldn’t stop crying as a baby. What the Fairy Godmother actually “gifted” to Ella was actually a curse. Under no circumstances–could she say no. She had to do exactly what she was told. No matter how idiotic–or evil the request.  Which is exactly what wound up happening to dear sweet Ella. Her stepsisters Hattie (Lucy Punch), and Olive (Jennifer Higham) used Ella’s curse to their advantage. Especially when it came to Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy).

Ella grew tired of being taken advantage of and decides to find her Fairy Godmother and ask her to remove the “unwanted gift.” With the help of Mandy’s (Minnie Driver) talking book (Jimi Mistry), embarked on an amazing journey of mishaps that soon caught the eye of Prince Charmont (Dancy). Who in turn, saved her from being a meal for Ogres–and from nearly being run over by a horse drawn cart and thanks to Hattie, Charmonts Uncle Edgar (Cary Elwes) found out about Ella’s little “gift.” He used it to attempt on the Prince’s life–he wanted to rule the kingdom without Charmont. What he didn’t count on was Ella’s resiliency, and always wanting to do what is right. Ella’s errand to find her Fairy Godmother met with an amazing world filled with giants, elves and a host of wonderful characters.

Charming.

The Ella Enchanted Blu-Ray combo pack presents fantastically in HD, but don’t go looking for anything additional. The same movie is on both DVD and Blu-Ray, however there are two features available only on the DVD disc copy “Prince Charmont’s Fan Club” Set-Top game and “Happily Ever After” DVD-rom. Other than that–two disc featuring the same film isn’t something to get all that excited about.

There is commentary from director Tommy O’Haver about the film–including an interview with Anne Hathaway, and Hugh Dancy. Mostly discussing their experiences while filming–a little chat between the director and two actors and really not much else. There are the over two hours of the “making of” parts of the film (more interviews and maybe never before seen footage from the film). There is the video for ”It’s Not Just Make Believe” performed by Kari Kimmel which is really nice. Overall, the extras are a lot of repetitive content.

Overall, pretty neat little package. If you already own the DVD, no need to rush out and buy the combo pack. Unless you are die-hard Hathaway fans–because this ain’t The Dark Knight.

The Ella Enchanted film is filled with special features including deleted and extended scenes, audio commentary with the director Tommy O’Haver and actors Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables, The Dark Knight Rises), and Hugh Dancy (Martha Marcy May Marlene), including a behind the scenes look into the magical world of Ella Enchanted.

Blu-Ray™ Special Features Include:

• Music Video “It’s Not Just Make Believe” performed by Kari Kimmel
• Deleted and extended scenes
• Audio commentary with the director Tommy O’Haver, and actors Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy
• Ella Enchanted Red Carpet Premiere Special featurette
  
• “The Magical World of Ella Enchanted” featurette
• “Prince Charmont’s Fan Club” Set-Top game (DVD Exclusive)
• “Happily Ever After” DVD-rom special feature (DVD Exclusive)

Source Miramax’s Ella Enchanted