Loved this charming fairy tale the first time, liked it the second

Rating: 9/10 (20 June 2009)

When I saw this movie 15-20 years ago I fell totally and completely in love with it and gave it 10 stars. I just watched it and the current me would give it 8 stars so I'm gonna split the difference.
Maybe I loved this movie so much back then in part because I'd been feeling down in the dumps and it's such a lovely little fairy tale. Whatever the reason, I thought it was pitch perfect.
While less enthralled this time, it's still a very engaging movie with an interesting story and some terrific stuff. I was perhaps more aware of plot holes, found Charlie Cox slightly bland, and thought it was weird that Claire Danes had an English accent for no discernible reason, but it's a really fun movie and well worth watching.
Now I'll let the me of 20 years ago talk about it:
This is a very funny and clever movie. Great, intelligent story, beautiful effects, excellent acting (especially De Niro, who is awesome). This movie made me happier than I've been for a while. The running joke of the kingdom's history of prince savagery and the aftermath, the way indulging in magic affects the witch and dozens of smart little touches all kept me enthralled. That's much of what makes it so good; it's an elaborate, special-effects-laden movie with more story than most fairy tale movies, yet there is an incredible attention to small things.
I feel like just going ahead and watching it all over again.