I Rewatched Ella Enchanted For The First Time In Years, And There’s One Thing That’s Really Bothering Me

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As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of magical worlds and musicals, let me tell you about my recent rediscovery – Ella Enchanted. This film is like a long-lost friend I never knew I needed! The magic, the humor, the chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy… it’s all just enchanting!

If you know me, you’d know I’m a massive lover of the best fantasy movies. Whether it’s rewatching the world of Harry Potter or it’s checking out The Lord of the Rings movies for the first time, I’ve always enjoyed a good romp in the worlds of monsters, magic, and so much more. But do you want to know one movie I forgot about until now? Ella Enchanted.

After a particularly exhausting day filled with cleaning tasks, I found myself drawn back into the captivating world of the film once more. It was as if I had forgotten just how enchantingly it weaves its spell and uplifts my spirits. However, there was another thought that lingered in my mind after this experience – a detail within the movie that has left me somewhat perplexed. Yet, this isn’t about any faults in the film itself; instead, it’s something subtler that has piqued my curiosity and inspired me to share my reflections.

Let’s get into it.

First Off, The Film Is Still As Magical As I Remember

If you haven’t seen Ella Enchanted, please stop reading this article right now and check it out. I assure you, it’s just as much fun as you can imagine. If you don’t know what the film is about, Ella Enchanted follows the titular character as she embarks on a quest across her country to find the fairy that gifted her “obedience.” This gift means basically means Ella does what anyone asks her to do – and clearly, she wants that gone as she gets older.

The entire movie is overflowing with numerous delightful scenes that kept me grinning and chuckling throughout. To my perspective, this stands out as one of Anne Hathaway’s finest performances because it was during a peak moment in her acting career, and her on-screen connection with Hugh Dancy is among the most compelling I’ve witnessed in a fantasy film.

This movie showcases evidently the advancements in CGI during its production period, and while the special effects are acceptable, they’re not mind-blowing. However, it delivers a delightful experience with its magical elements, humor, and everything in between, making it an enjoyable watch. But there’s something that irks me…

How do we not have more jukebox musicals?

But It Makes Me Think Why We Don’t Have More Fun Jukebox Musicals Like This

It seems as though jukebox musicals once held a dominant position in the world of theater. From the ever-enjoyable “Mamma Mia!” to “Jersey Boys” and “Happy Feet,” among many others, it’s hard not to feel like they’ve all… experienced a decline.

Prior to our discussion, I’d like to clarify a point – while Joker: Folie à Deux is classified as a jukebox musical, I personally don’t consider it to be in the same league as this enchanting film. In terms of entertainment value, the musical aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux were competently executed, but they primarily served to deepen the characters’ stories and explore their mental health issues rather than providing mainstream entertainment.

When I think of a classic jukebox musical, I think of songs that push the plot forward, make sense of the story, and aren’t just added there for the sake of being a musical. There have been a few in the last decade or so – like Rocketman, the Amazon Prime Cinderella, and the unnecessary Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – but none have really reached the heights of what jukebox musicals once were.

This film perfectly encapsulates my thoughts whenever I consider jukebox musicals. It doesn’t overwhelm with songs, yet there’s just the right amount that enhances the narrative, energizes you, and keeps a grin on your face throughout.

I Think With The Right Kinds Of Songs, Jukebox Musicals Could Still Work

A multitude of contemporary musical productions, often categorized as jukebox musicals, are widely available today. Ranging from the latest Michael Jackson stage show on Broadway to the Carole King musical and numerous others, I firmly believe these could translate effectively into major motion pictures.

They don’t necessarily need to perform on Broadway to excel. For instance, consider the show “Glee”. Despite not being a traditional Broadway production, it had numerous outstanding covers, and its format was essentially a continuous jukebox musical. Although it may have overstayed its welcome on TV, it was popular for quite some time, and rightly so. If you have someone skilled and enthusiastic behind the scenes to select the appropriate tunes, you can create something extraordinary.

It seems I’m advocating for an increase in the production and frequency of jukebox musicals. While we do get a few here and there, they don’t seem to make as significant an impact as they once did. However, it’s also true that there are numerous excellent non-musical films scheduled for release in 2024.

Occasionally, a movie similar to this can really lift your spirits on tough days – if only there were more movies just like the charming “Ella Enchanted.” Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see more films like that. For now, looks like I’ll be watching it again.

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2024-11-03 23:41