Happily N'Ever After

Happily N'Ever After is a 2006 animated movie that offers an interesting, fun, and sassy twist on the age-old fairy tales that we are all familiar with. Directed by Paul J. Bolger, Yvette Kaplan, and star-studded voice-over cast includes Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Patrick Warburton amongst others.

The plot revolves around the kingdom of Fairy Tale Land, where all of the familiar fairy-tale characters live under the not-always-so benevolent rule of the wizard (voiced by George Carlin). The wizard's primary role is to maintain the balance between the good and bad endings to these stories, ensuring the safe passage into "happily ever after." However, when the wizard goes on holiday, his function is taken over by two inept helpers, Mambo (voiced by Andy Dick) and Munk (Wallace Shawn), who unwittingly tip the scales, causing the fairy tales to veer off course and prevent the expected happy endings from taking place.

The central focus of the story is the classic fairy-tale of Cinderella, or rather "Ella" in this version (voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar). Just like in the original story, Ella is a down-on-her-luck scullery maid tormented by her wicked stepmother (Sigourney Weaver) and her two ugly step-sisters. Unlike the traditional character, however, Ella is not a helpless damsel but rather feisty, independent, and enlists the help of a suave and handsome prince not as a savior but as a partner against the forces of evil.

The prince, voiced by Patrick Warburton, is far from the charming and gallant figures of traditional fairy tales. In fact, Prince Humperdink is a self-centered, dim-witted character who believes in muscle more than mind. This makes him more of a comic character than a knight in shining armor. However, his character evolves as the plot progresses, and without giving away too much, he defies audience expectations.

In addition, Rick (Freddie Prinze Jr.), the underrated palace dishwasher who's also secretly in love with Ella, adds another dynamic character layer to the plot. He brings a realistic touch to the film by being an ordinary individual amongst multiple extraordinary characters and also provides the element of a love triangle to the story.

The animation style of Happily N'Ever After is vibrant and visually appealing, akin to the rich storylines. The details and colors infuse a comic feel, and the overall aesthetic remains appropriately fairy-tale-like. It cleverly humorizes familiar fairy-tale tropes, creating a film that’s not just meant for children but also appeals to adults with its clever, satirical spin on the fairy tale narratives they likely grew up with.

One of the unique aspects of this film is how it subverts the typical "damsel in distress" narrative. The female characters are given agency and power, with Ella presented as an empowered, independent individual who doesn't need a prince to save her. The film's arrangement offers up a good dose of feminist critique, providing viewers with a refreshing shift from the stereotypical, male-rescuer narrative associated with many fairy tales.

Sigourney Weaver's wicked stepmother and Sarah Michelle Gellar's Ella inject energy, spunk, and charisma into their characters. The sonic presence of these accomplished actresses is felt strongly throughout the film, and they manage to make their characters pop with just their voice deliveries.

Patrick Warburton, known for his distinctively deep and stentorian voice, makes Prince Humperdink a memorable figure with his characteristically hilarious performance. The comedic elements woven into the narration keep the mood of the movie light and entertaining.

Happily N'Ever After is a delightful inversion of traditional fairy tales that makes for an amusing and entertaining viewing experience. With its tongue-in-cheek humor, a delightful take on familiar characters, and messages related to self-belief, and independence, this movie doesn't just tell a story but also successfully sparks a fresh conversation about gender roles in fairy tales. The voice cast's superb performances breathe life into these characters making the movie a fun-filled romp in the world of upended fairy tales.