‘Cinderella’
Grade: A-
Anyone who is familiar with the “Cinderella” movie made in 1950 will find no surprises in Disney’s latest live action remake of the classic film.
For those unfortunate individuals who did not have a Disney childhood, “Cinderella” is the story of a girl who is coerced into becoming her stepmother’s servant after her father dies. When a prince throws a royal ball for the whole kingdom to attend, her stepmother tries to prevent her from going.
The 2015 movie doesn’t stray far from the well-known “Cinderella” storyline. Nonetheless, every Disney fan should take the time to see it, if anything because the casting is superb.
Lily James perfectly portrays the sweet-natured orphan-turned-princess that many of us grew up idolizing. Even better, this Cinderella seems to possess a bit more resilience than the original.
An excellent foil to James is Cate Blanchett, who plays a menacing Stepmother. Blanchett never disappoints in tenacious female roles.
As in the original movie, the stepmother’s daughters provide comic relief. Filling Anastasia and Drisella’s big, spoiled shoes are Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera, respectively.
Finally, three words: Helena. Bonham. Carter.
No words can explain how Bonham Carter amazes in every role she takes on, but she does. Her portrayal of the Fairy Godmother is no different.
Bonham Carter was the perfect choice for the absent-minded, motherly figure to Cinderella. She is wonderfully more eccentric than the original. Her portrayal is less motherly, but both turn the mice into horses, forgetting Cinderella already has a perfectly good one.
Overall, there was a strong female cast. There were a couple of men, too, who I guess were pretty good.
Where the film sparkles — like Cinderella’s dazzling glass shoes, not like “Twilight” vampires — is in the places where it differs from the original movie.
There are a few significant variations from the 1950s version.
First, in the most recent film, the prince and Cinderella meet before the ball. Upset by the cruelness of her stepmother, Cinderella takes a ride on her horse into the woods, where she runs into the prince, played by Richard Madden.
Neither of them reveals who they really are, so they depart as strangers. Interestingly, though, the encounter is what prompts the prince to allow any maiden in the kingdom to come to his ball, where he is expected to choose a wife.
Second, there is a little more focus on the prince and his impending marriage in the 2015 version. Unlike the original, the movie addresses how the king feels when he learns his son wants to marry a commoner.
Also, the prince has a much more dynamic character arc in deciding whether he wants to marry for love or advantage.
The third difference is when the prince wants to marry Cinderella, he asks her. It isn’t just, “Well, the shoe fits, so I guess we’re getting hitched.”
If the cast and the slight changes to the storyline aren’t a draw to see the movie, perhaps “Frozen Fever” is a good reason.
The short film, which plays before the movie, features all of the beloved characters from “Frozen” as they prepare to celebrate Anna’s birthday.
Though Disney doesn’t need a reason to show viewers what’s going on in Arendelle, the short film might be a teaser for the upcoming “Frozen” sequel.
According to variety.com, Disney announced plans for a second movie March 12. A release date hasn’t been reported yet.
With the added bonus of the “Frozen” short, “Cinderella” is a must-see for any true Disney fan.
