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Story

Everything seems to be going according to plan in Fairy Tale Land, where all the well-known fairytales are ending happily in their usual way. This ideal state of affairs is controlled by a Wizard (voiced by George Carlin), master of the scales of good and evil. He makes sure that fairytales do end happily ever after. When the Wizard goes on holiday, his assistants Munk (Wallace Shawn) and Mambo (Andy Dick) take over his task and all goes terribly wrong.

Frieda (Sigourney Weaver), the evil stepmother of Ella, a.k.a. Cinderella (Sarah Michelle Gellar), gets hold of the Wizard’s magic staff and proceeds to turn Fairy Tale Land upside down. All the happy endings become unhappy. The bad characters win and come to the castle to party and create chaos.

Ella is in love with the handsome prince, but his servant, Rick, is secretly in love with Ella. Rick seizes the opportunty to restore order so he can prove himself and win Ella’s heart. Ella, however, believes that only the prince can save them. Through the course of their adventure, she learns that you don’t need to wait for a hero – you need to believe in yourself and your friends.

Themes

None of concern

Violence

In one scene, there is a battle between the seven dwarves, Ella, Munk and Mambo on one side, and villains from fairy stories on the other. In another scene, the wicked stepmother attacks Jack, Ella, Munk and Mambo with the Wizard’s staff.

Sexual references

None

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

In one party scene, it appears that the animals are drinking alcohol, although this may not be clear to young children.

Nudity and sexual activity

There are scenes where Cinderella imagines kissing the prince. She also kisses Rick. This is very mild and not obviously sexual. Some female characters have exaggerated hourglass figures and display cleavage.

Product placement

None

Coarse language

Although this movie contains no coarse language, it does include some infrequent put-downs.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Happily N’Ever After is an animated adventure comedy featuring many familiar fairytale characters. The message of this movie is that life is an adventure and that just living ‘happily ever after’ is really quite boring. It also suggests that rather than waiting for a hero to come along and save you, you should believe in yourself and take action.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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