Disney’s live-action CINDERELLA will take audiences on an enchanting journey through one of the most beloved fairy tales in history.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re familiar with the classic story of CINDERELLA. A beautiful young girl is forced into a life of servitude by her step-mother and evil step-sisters after the tragic passing of her father. One day, she manages to run into the prince (not knowing his identity). Smitten, she is delighted to attend the royal ball in the hopes of seeing him again, but her step-mother and step-sisters will not allow it, and take to trashing the only dress she has suitable to wear.
This is where a little magic happens. A distraught Cinderella is then greeted by her fairy godmother who is there to make her dreams of going to the ball come true. With a little magic, a pumpkin, and some mice, Cinderella is ready for the ball… but there is always a catch with magic. She has until the stroke of midnight to enjoy the ball and make a getaway before the magic fades, and all will return back as it was… or will it?
I really enjoyed this film. The first thing that struck me is that they cast attractive, yet believable leads. Lily James (Cinderella) and Richard Madden (the prince) are two pretty people, but they aren’t so pretty that they look fake. It’s easy for Hollywood to cast actors with impossible beauty standards for films such as this. Instead, the actors were attractive, but obtainable. (Hopefully that makes as much sense as it does in my head). The two actors suit the characters that they are playing, and give believable, down to earth performances. Lily James is simply charming as Cinderella. She has a warmth that permeates the screen and reaches the hearts of viewers.
Cate Blanchett is the real stand-out to me, though. She plays the wicked step-mother role with ease. If you’re familiar with the Disney animated version of this tale, the step-mother is not nearly as attractive as Blanchett, but trust me… Blanchett is just, if not more, evil. Her cold, red-mouthed smirk is all too perfect for the role.
We’re so use to seeing Helena Bonham Carter in odd, unattractive roles that it’s refreshing to see her as a goody-goody. I was tickled to see her dressed in ruffles and shimmer. Although I prefer to see her in weird, dark roles, it was pleasant to see her take on something different.
I’m really glad that they addressed disguising Cinderella at the ball from her step-mother and step-sisters. The Clark Kent glasses trick doesn’t really work on audiences today, and I’m glad that the filmmakers decided to take a moment to explain why she would not be recognizable to her “family”.
Director Kenneth Branagh did an incredible job with this film. Stunning costumes, sets, and CGI make for an enchanting journey onscreen. Every character had a specific set of colors that they were identified with that allowed them to stand out in their own right. Rather than going with the traditional castle, they built an entire kingdom, which was a bold but rewarding choice. The film is basically an exact adaptation of the animated version, minus the music. As much as I enjoy the songs from both the animated version and the musical, I feel like it would have made this film annoyingly sweet. Instead, composer Patrick Doyle provides us with a pleasant score to move the film along, and allows us to concentrate on the magic. My only complaint, out of the entire film, is that I would have liked a little more interaction with the animals surrounding Cinderella. They are such a big part of the original animated film, that I would have liked a little more time with them.
CINDERELLA is a win for Disney. It’s magical, fun, and over all enchanting. Go see it before it bippity-boppity sells out!
OVERALL RATING : 4.75 out of 5 stars
CINDERELLA is in theaters this Friday
