Cinderella (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Kenneth Branagh's eloquent 'Cinderella' is a lovely live-action version of the famed 17th century faerie tale. Nothing can top the 1950 animated classic. But in the wake of such unconventional Disney re-boots like 2012's dark-themed Snow White & the Huntsman or last year's villain-is-the-hero Maleficent, it's just a breath of fresh air to experience a simple, straightforward adaptation. The kiddies in my theater were enthralled by this, as well as the animated short 'Frozen Fever' which played before. As 'Cinderella' begins, 10 yr. old Ella (an adorable Eloise Webb) is living a charmed existence with her loving merchant father (Ben Chaplin) & adoring mother (Hayley Atwell), who implores her to "have courage and be kind".
Yrs. later, after her mother's tragic death {waterworks time, people}, Ella's father marries imperious, cold-hearted Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett, having a blast!) who has 2 vain, moronic daughters: Drizella (Sophie McShera, Daisy the housemaid on Downton Abbey) & Anastasia (Holliday Grainger). After Ella's father tragically dies on a business trip {waterworks time again, people}, Ella (now Lily James, aristocratic Lady Rose on Downton Abbey) is treated like a mere scullery maid & banished to the drafty attic where she befriends the house mice {yes, including Gus Gus}. Ella is devastated, but never down-&-out, and doesn't lack self-esteem; as evidenced by her chance encounter with Prince Kit (Richard Madden, Robb Stark of Game of Thrones) while riding her horse in the woods.
Eager to see his only son married, the ailing King (Derek Jacobi) hosts a ball in which Prince Kit invites ALL eligible women of the land (not just princesses). But the only way "Cinderella" (now dubbed this by Drizella because Ella sleeps among the cinders of the fireplace) can attend the ball is with the help of her Fairy Godmother (the enjoyably batty Helena Bonham Carter), who weaves her magic. Seriously folks, the transformation of the pumpkin into the coach, the goose into the driver, the lizards into the footmen, & the pink dress into the blue gown is simply stupendous. Similarly super is the arrival of Cinderella at the ball. Everything about the way in which this sequence was shot - her entrance, the crowd looking up at her, her descent to the ballroom, her romantic sweeping dance with the Prince, her frantic flight at the stroke of midnight, & the Prince's pursuit in finding the maiden whose foot fit the glass slipper ... is movie magic.
Lily James is a gem as our titular Cinderella. She provides a genuinely kind-hearted young woman without ever making her seem artificial or affected. She's something to cherish. And yet, she makes out just fine on her own when summoning her unshakeable "courage & kindness" in the face of her step-family’s indignities. Also great is Richard Madden as Prince Kit. Not only is he quite handsome (matching Lily James in her effervescent loveliness), but his chemistry with Lily James is palpable, as well. Their conversations are fun, sparkling, and when they look into each other’s eyes ... we feel it.
Visually & aurally, 'Cinderella' is spectacular; and on a relatively lower budget than your typical Disney fare. 3-time Oscar winning costume designer Sandy Powell presents sumptuous outfits for all; particularly Cate Blanchett. If Powell doesn't get nominated for an Oscar for her costumes here, I'll eat my proverbial hat. Production design icon Dante Ferretti bears mentioning for his dazzling, expansive sets. Also excellent is Patrick Doyle's musical score; a score that doesn't hearken back to the 1950 animated classic, but provides beautiful melodies nevertheless. And kudos to the Branagh for making this film a relatively song-free entertainment.
The filmmakers make some subtle, but welcomes changes to the story, as well. There are non-Caucasian characters sprinkled throughout. Ella becomes a more self-assured heroine. Prince Charming (now "Kit") is a kind, bold young monarch who must choose btwn. love & a political alliance. There is a poignant scene btwn. Kit & his sickly father that is quite moving. And even Lady Tremaine has motivation (though, hardly) for being as evil as she is. 'Cinderella' may not be overly edgy, progressive, or unique within the canon of Disney classics and, some aspects may go over the heads of young children (Lady Tremaine talks of "subterfuge") ... but it's still an elegant, enchanting family feature that retains the obvious strengths of its source material while also updating it a tad for today's audiences. Big thumbs up.
Yrs. later, after her mother's tragic death {waterworks time, people}, Ella's father marries imperious, cold-hearted Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett, having a blast!) who has 2 vain, moronic daughters: Drizella (Sophie McShera, Daisy the housemaid on Downton Abbey) & Anastasia (Holliday Grainger). After Ella's father tragically dies on a business trip {waterworks time again, people}, Ella (now Lily James, aristocratic Lady Rose on Downton Abbey) is treated like a mere scullery maid & banished to the drafty attic where she befriends the house mice {yes, including Gus Gus}. Ella is devastated, but never down-&-out, and doesn't lack self-esteem; as evidenced by her chance encounter with Prince Kit (Richard Madden, Robb Stark of Game of Thrones) while riding her horse in the woods.
Eager to see his only son married, the ailing King (Derek Jacobi) hosts a ball in which Prince Kit invites ALL eligible women of the land (not just princesses). But the only way "Cinderella" (now dubbed this by Drizella because Ella sleeps among the cinders of the fireplace) can attend the ball is with the help of her Fairy Godmother (the enjoyably batty Helena Bonham Carter), who weaves her magic. Seriously folks, the transformation of the pumpkin into the coach, the goose into the driver, the lizards into the footmen, & the pink dress into the blue gown is simply stupendous. Similarly super is the arrival of Cinderella at the ball. Everything about the way in which this sequence was shot - her entrance, the crowd looking up at her, her descent to the ballroom, her romantic sweeping dance with the Prince, her frantic flight at the stroke of midnight, & the Prince's pursuit in finding the maiden whose foot fit the glass slipper ... is movie magic.
Lily James is a gem as our titular Cinderella. She provides a genuinely kind-hearted young woman without ever making her seem artificial or affected. She's something to cherish. And yet, she makes out just fine on her own when summoning her unshakeable "courage & kindness" in the face of her step-family’s indignities. Also great is Richard Madden as Prince Kit. Not only is he quite handsome (matching Lily James in her effervescent loveliness), but his chemistry with Lily James is palpable, as well. Their conversations are fun, sparkling, and when they look into each other’s eyes ... we feel it.
Visually & aurally, 'Cinderella' is spectacular; and on a relatively lower budget than your typical Disney fare. 3-time Oscar winning costume designer Sandy Powell presents sumptuous outfits for all; particularly Cate Blanchett. If Powell doesn't get nominated for an Oscar for her costumes here, I'll eat my proverbial hat. Production design icon Dante Ferretti bears mentioning for his dazzling, expansive sets. Also excellent is Patrick Doyle's musical score; a score that doesn't hearken back to the 1950 animated classic, but provides beautiful melodies nevertheless. And kudos to the Branagh for making this film a relatively song-free entertainment.
The filmmakers make some subtle, but welcomes changes to the story, as well. There are non-Caucasian characters sprinkled throughout. Ella becomes a more self-assured heroine. Prince Charming (now "Kit") is a kind, bold young monarch who must choose btwn. love & a political alliance. There is a poignant scene btwn. Kit & his sickly father that is quite moving. And even Lady Tremaine has motivation (though, hardly) for being as evil as she is. 'Cinderella' may not be overly edgy, progressive, or unique within the canon of Disney classics and, some aspects may go over the heads of young children (Lady Tremaine talks of "subterfuge") ... but it's still an elegant, enchanting family feature that retains the obvious strengths of its source material while also updating it a tad for today's audiences. Big thumbs up.