★★★
Starring Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Stellan Skarsgård, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger
2015 / 94 Minutes / Walt Disney Pictures
I’m not really sure how many more times I can sit and watch this story retold. It doesn’t matter what they do to it anymore, I do not need to see this story told anymore!
However bringing Cate Blanchett in to star as the wicked Stepmother was the best decision this movie has going for it. As always she’s fantastic on screen, but like Maleficent putting these big name talented actresses in the role of villains makes me lose interest in the beloved lead characters that you’re supposed to be routing for. Should I be hoping the villain wins because her performance is so damn good and I’d rather have them on screen the whole time. I feel a disconnect with these Disney classics that are being revamped into live action disappointments. I don’t need these; if I want to watch this story my first instinct is to rewatch the animated classic and that’s exactly what I would rather do than watch this.
Cinderella, although I don’t really have amazing things to say about it, is still Cinderella. Brought to life, it still has some of that Disney magic that makes the original so great and because of that the movie does work. It’s also because of that that the movie doesn’t feel like anything new or exciting. I would rather not only watch the animated film, but I would watch the Drew Barrymore 1998 version Ever After over this. At least give me a fresh take on it.
Let’s just put Cinderella to rest and assume that they are living happily ever after and move on to something new and original. I appreciate the effort and the great visuals, but I need to start seeing new ideas.
Grade C
