Cinderella (2015)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

What an extraordinary, exceptional film! This is simply magical and enchanting, and quite simply what fairy tales are made of. The classic tale comes wonderfully to life with a very good cast, great director at the helm, and incredible visual effects. The dress transformation scene is spectacularly done! The costumes are stunning, and the entire production design is awesome. Lily James in particular is excellent as Cinderella. There are a few lessons to be learnt here, and it is done impeccably without being melodramatic or over the top.

CINDERELLA is another in a recent series of live-action versions of Disney's animated classics. The unknown Lily James plays the protagonist here, the put-upon stepsister at the mercy of her cruel stepmother who catches the eye of a handsome prince and utilises the magic of a fairy godmother in order to win his hand. The weird thing about this film is how unenjoyable it is. The main thrust of the story is skimmed over in haste while added-in sub-plots involving Stellan Skarsgaard's random bad guy character are given way too much screen time. James is a simpering and uninspiring protagonist - it takes more than adversity for a viewer to warm to a character, and the scriptwriter should know that - while Kenneth Branagh contributes zero style to his direction. Even worse is a one-dimensional stereotype turn from Cate Blanchett and the actresses playing her daughters. Richard Maddern's prince is all teeth and eyes and no personality, while the less said about Helena Bonham Carter's cameo the better. Add in some unimpressive CGI effects and surprisingly 20th century-looking costumes and you have a generally poor attempt at a classic fairy tale.

This sweet good-natured film is practically a live action version of the original Disney animation. it slightly improves the original by making Cinderella a bit more outspoken. And of course the visual effects are excellent and add to the magic. Cate Blanchett is good in a villainous role with a hint of complexity. Some may feel a bit let down by the fact that most scenes are repeated from the original. Still its a pleasant and at times magical experience.9/10

Disappointing. A forgettable musical score. Even the oddly cast Disney multi-cultural video is superior. As much as I like that production, I believe that "Cinderella" has to be a fair-haired blue-eyed blonde! Other actors can be anything they wish! Good performances by all in this 2015 "remake" so I can't quite figure out just what's missing here. Walt Disney used to call it "heart". As a "film" collector, I have both versions of "R&H Cinderella" (which are both videos), Disney's animated classic, and "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore. Plus, I have seen "The Slipper and the Rose" as well. (It's also excellent, but it's a bit too operatic, with ballet dancing, for kids.) Here, both her mom and dad die, mercifully, "off camera". The most redeeming quality is the great over-the-top Fairy Godmother pumpkin coach and animal transformations (and after Midnight un-transformation). Where is my "Bibbity-Bobity-Boo" song? Yes, the chattering mice, lizards and goose are too cute and very well done. There is just not as much surprise here, as the Prince remembers meeting her in the forest and therefore shouldn't have had that much trouble finding her? The new Beauty and the Beast movie (2016) is just so much more captivating and "alive". At least there is no "chunky" Fairy Godmother here. Whitney Huston could barely squeeze into her costume, so many years ago!