Happily N'Ever After: Movie Review

Basic Plot Line: A group of evil characters lead by Frieda (Sigourney Weaver) attempt to kill off the "happily ever after" ending in Fairy Tale Land. It is the main character Ella (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who ends up leading the resistance against her own evil step-mother. In the midst of this fairy tale war is a "boy from the wrong side of the tracks gets the girl, beating out the 'perfect' guy love story.

Where oh where do I start with this one? It seems almost inevitable that this will end up being a Shrek rip-off. The only difference is instead of established actors such as Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, and John Cleese (Shrek 2), this film gives you a washed up Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. as the protagonists. In fact if it weren't for these two quasi-famous names this movie would seem to be headed for direct release to DVD and the bottom of a Walmart bargain bin. Where else have I seen that combo? I think counting to plethora of movies those two have starred in together would be...well.... pointless and time-consuming. So let's suffice to say that it's rare to see one's name without the other.

As with Shrek there is the side-kick, who in the case of Happily N'Ever After happens to be a strange looking purple kitten voiced by Andy Dick.There are two things that could save this movie and Andy Dick just happens to be one of them. The other is Patrick Warburton who voiced Kronk in The Emperor's New Groove and starred in the short-lived Less Than Perfect. Both are excellent at voicing animation and have superb comic timing. It appears these two may be the only bright spots in this movie.

However, as with any movie there is hope. Some twists and turns and unexpected turbulence could make this movie enjoyable. With enough comic trials and tribulations and with the amazing comedic talents of Andy Dick and Patrick Warburton this film could turn out to be ok.

This might also be a good time for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. to get their respective feet back in the door of Hollywood. They've both been out for a whle and for good reason. Gellar's recent 'hits' include Scooby-Doo and The Grudge. While Prinze has starred in such brilliant pieces as... well... Scooby-Doo and a show named (drum-roll, please) Freddie! Perhaps this could be their comeback movie. We shall see.

While this movie may not have the quick wit of Shrek or The Emperor's New Groove it could certainly be entertaining for the little ones.