Books

Ella Enchanted was one of my favorite books as a child and the movie, while cute, was completely different in plot, tone, and depth. The book was a lot more poignant and serious. Ella had a lot of rage, fear, and loneliness as a result of her life and the 'gift.' The novel doesn't have a true villain except the petty/cruel stepmother and the curse itself. Ella is funny and charming and has a gift for vocal impressions and disguises.

The movie was basically live action Shrek but make it Cinderella and Hamlet. For some reason they thought it needed an evil uncle arc for the prince? And Anne Hathaway is good but the way the film was written, Ella was just a somewhat rude girl boss type. In the books she gets out of trouble often through her personal charm, manipulation, or persuasion. In the movie she does karate and lectures people.