When I was a young girl a local movie theater used to show a different Disney film every week all summer long. Some of the films they showed were released decades before I was born. It was a wonderful way to see classic Disney films on the big screen.
I love all Disney films, although I do have a few favorites that stand out. One such film is Cinderella. I simply adored the animals in the film, most especially the mice. I was also mesmerized by how the Fairy Godmother was able to turn the pumpkin into a carriage for Cinderella to ride to the ball in.
Disney has remade the animated classic, Cinderella, into a “live action” film. It’s the same classic story that we all know and love – it’s just acted out by real people and CGI animals.
Cinderella stars Lily James (Cinderella), Cate Blanchett (evil Step-mother), Richard Madden (Prince) and Helena Bonham Carter (Fairy Godmother).
Unlike the animated version, this version of the film gives viewers more insight into Cinderella’s parents and how her life was when both her mother and father were still alive. The film shows that Ella (her real name – she was given the name Cinderella by her step-sisters) was a very kind and gentle soul even as a child.
Years after her mother passed away, Ella’s father remarried (Blanchett). Blanchett does a fabulous job of being the evil step-mother. She has the grace and poise of a well off and educated women with just the right dose of evilness mixed in.
Along with her step-mother, Ella also gets a set of step-sisters who act a lot like their animated versions.
The story line is pretty much the same as in the animated film.
My favorite part came when Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother turns a pumpkin into a coach and the mice into horses. There is a bit of comic relief here at the hands of Helena Bonham Carter who still manages to turn the role of the Fairy Godmother into a bit of a kookier version as only Carter can do.
Will Cinderella get the prince? Well… if you are familiar with the story you know the ending. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out Disney’s Cinderella, available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download.
I enjoyed this movie very much. I love how they kept many of the elements the same – including Cinderella’s mice friends.
Visually speaking this film was breath taking. I loved the background/setting of the film and I was totally blown away by Cinderella’s dress and glass slippers in the ball scene. Seeing that made me wish I was a beautiful princess too.
They film was perfectly casted. Even the younger versions of Cinderella look like the grown up version (James).
This is a enjoyable film for young and old alike. I saw nothing in the film that would prevent me from letting a young child see the film. It’s rated PG but maybe that is because a few people die in the film (natural causes).
The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack comes with several bonus features – one of which is especially fun to watch – The Frozen Fever animated short.
Other bonus features include;
- A Fairy Tale Comes to Life
- Costume Test Fun
- Staging The Ball
- Ella’s Furry Friends
- Alternate Opening, Ella’s Childhood
Below are some activities sheets you can download, save and enjoy with your family.
Here is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment. This is the theatrical trailer for when the film was in theaters. It’s now available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.