Ella Enchanted Blu-ray Review

Ella Enchanted’s Blu-ray release, presented by Lionsgate Films, arrives with a 1080p AVC encoded transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. While the film’s bright and fantastical aesthetic benefits from largely well-saturated and vibrant colors, the overall transfer quality leaves much to be desired. The high-definition presentation exhibits a notable softness, especially during mid- to long-range shots where the details become significantly obscured. Faces and edges lose definition, and there is evident light bleed in whites. The clarity provided by the HD transfer highlights some budget constraints, particularly with green screen effects in scenes such as the elf and giant towns, which suffer from a lack of believability.

Additionally, prominent banding artifacts are present throughout many digitally inserted backgrounds, detracting from the visual experience. Despite these setbacks, close-ups tend to fare much better, revealing abundant detail, particularly in CGI elements like the snake, Heston. The contrast remains consistently strong, allowing the film to traverse different environments smoothly, from brightly lit exteriors to shadowy interiors. The film’s rich, boisterous palette stands out as its most appealing visual trait, showcasing a beautifully colorful fantasy world that remains consistently vivid.

Overall, the Blu-ray’s video presentation is serviceable but marred by issues that prevent it from reaching its full potential. While some scenes look fantastic, enhanced by strong contrast and detailed close-ups, others suffer from softness and noticeable technical flaws. Consequently, while this Blu-ray release offers the best visual rendition of Ella Enchanted to date, it is evident that there was significant room for improvement to do justice to its whimsical fairy tale setting.

The Blu-ray release of "Ella Enchanted" features an impressive lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that effectively transports viewers into its fantastical world. The mix excels during the film's numerous musical sequences, providing a rich and immersive audio landscape. These sequences are notably full and nuanced, almost granting the film a quasi-musical feel. Dialogue is rendered impeccably clear, centered, and distinct, ensuring that conversations are never lost amidst the engaging soundtrack. The film’s whimsical underscore is also well-balanced and crisply delivered, maintaining high fidelity throughout.

Rear and front speakers are actively engaged, creating a dynamic and enveloping audio environment. Directional effects, such as the booming steps of trolls and giants, are precisely captured by the front channels, while the rear speakers enhance ambient sound during action sequences. The foley effects are particularly noteworthy; for instance, Lucinda’s entrances produce sweeping panning effects that traverse the entire sound field, enriching the listening experience without being overbearing. Lionsgate’s meticulous attention to detail in this audio mix guarantees a thoroughly immersive and enjoyable viewing experience.

The bonus features on the "Ella Enchanted" Blu-ray offer a mixed bag of content that are primarily repurposed from the original DVD release. The Feature Commentary with Director Tommy O’Haver and Actors Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy is engaging, if a bit chatty, blending filmmaking insights with behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Deleted and extended scenes provide additional narrative context, albeit in standard definition. The making-of featurette and red carpet premiere special feel somewhat repetitive, each offering similar interviews and clips. The music video, while charming, lacks the high production value typically expected.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary with Director Tommy O’Haver and Actors Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy: Offers anecdotes and light technical insights.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary: Eleven scenes with insights from O’Haver and Dancy.
• Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary: Longer versions of four scenes.
• The Magical World of Ella Enchanted: Pre-release making-of special.
• Ella Enchanted Red Carpet Premiere Special: Interviews and red carpet footage.
• Music Video “It’s Not Just Make Believe” Performed by Kari Kimmel: Standard definition music video.

Ella Enchanted attempts to blend the irreverent humor of Shrek with the adventurous spirit of The Princess Bride, but it never quite reaches the wit and cohesion of either. Anne Hathaway plays Ella, a young woman cursed with the "gift" of obedience by a well-meaning but careless fairy. This unique twist on the Cinderella trope sets up a series of comedic situations where Ella must follow every command given to her, leading to sporadic laughs and awkward predicaments. The narrative takes Ella on a journey to lift her curse, introducing Prince Char (Hugh Dancy) and a host of secondary characters including an elf, ogres, and a sentient book. While the plot is predictable and the humor often caters to the lowest common denominator, Hathaway's charm and the film's colorful production design provide some appeal.

The film's political undertones add another layer, portraying a kingdom with unjust laws affecting elves and giants. These elements contribute to the narrative but are handled in a way that feels superficial rather than satirical. Despite moments of cleverness, such as when the fairy blessing defies typical expectations, the story's logic is inconsistent, undermining its internal coherence. The climax particularly suffers from this issue, offering an easily solvable dilemma that is unnecessarily complicated by the plot.

Overall, Ella Enchanted is a family-friendly film that young viewers might find delightful, while adults may appreciate its few witty moments but likely see it as uninspired. The limited musical interludes are highlights, featuring Hathaway’s singing talents and fun renditions like Queen's "Somebody to Love". The wish for more musical numbers reflects an unfulfilled potential that could have elevated the film above its pedestrian execution. In essence, while Ella Enchanted has its charms, it falls short of becoming the enchanting classic it aspires to be.

"Ella Enchanted" is a charming, albeit uneven, entry into the fairy tale genre. The film features a blend of imaginative settings and colorful visuals that create an engaging world for younger viewers. Anne Hathaway delivers a spirited performance that will undoubtedly appeal to her fans, but the narrative struggles with predictability and fails to offer the sharp satire seen in similar genre hits like "Shrek." Despite its shortcomings in humor and pacing, the movie's self-awareness generates moments of clever wittiness, making it an enjoyable, if not standout, family watch.

Technically, the Blu-ray release by Lionsgate is commendable. The video quality is vibrant and sharply focused, enhancing the visual splendor of Ella's fantastical surroundings. The audio mix is robust, delivering clear dialogue and embracing the musical interludes with vigor. Additionally, the disc includes a well-rounded selection of supplements providing added value for fans who seek a deeper dive into the film’s making.

In conclusion, while "Ella Enchanted" may not reach the comedic heights of its contemporaries, it remains a pleasant and visually appealing option for a family movie night. Its combination of amiable performances and technical proficiency on Blu-ray makes it worth considering, especially for those with young children or devoted Hathaway enthusiasts. This is a title best suited for a rental before deciding on a permanent spot in your collection.