Film Review: ‘Cinderella’

Director: Kenneth Branagh  

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Derek Jacobi, Helena Bonham Carter

Age Restriction: PG     

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Drama, Romance    

Runtime: 114 minutes
 
Release date: 02 April 2015

Disney has found massive success with adapting its animated classics into live-action remakes with Alice in Wonderland, Oz the Great and Powerful and Maleficent all being smash hits at the box office. Cinderella is now the fourth entry in the collection and is looking to be another major blockbuster for the studio.

Most of us are familiar with the Cinderella fairytale, so there’s no real need to explain the film’s plot.

It’s fairly obvious that this new adaptation is inspired by Disney’s 1950 animated version as Cinderella’s stepmother and step-sisters adopt their names from that film.

For those who don’t recall, the stepmother’s name is Lady Tremaine (played in this new version by Cate Blanchett) and the step-sisters are Drizella (Sophie McShera) and Anastasia (Holliday Grainger). Lucifer the cat is also present in this film along with Cinderella’s mice friends such as Gus-Gus. And the phrase "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" is also used at one point during the film.

However, while this new adaption is inspired by the 1950 film, it doesn’t rely on it too much as it attempts to stand on its own two feet, and I can gladly confirm that it succeeds in doing so.

While Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent changed up the original recipe, Disney sticks to the well-known formula with Cinderella. Yes, there are one or two twists and turns here and there, but nothing all that substantial.

Despite the familiarity, sticking to the formula is what makes this film as magical as ever as it works on so many levels, and it was exceedingly well-executed.

However, what makes Cinderella a standout and rather unique film is its attention to detail with regards to the fairytale story. The film answers the question as to why Cinderella’s step-mother practically hates her and how it is that the Tremaine family didn’t notice that it was Cinderella who danced with the prince at the ball.

The film also touches up upon why Cinderella didn’t run away during the time she was ill-treated by the Tremaine family and why she’s always so kind.

Yes, this film is quite deep and audiences can actually learn from the motto Cinderella’s mother (Hayley Atwell) teaches her which is to be kind and to have courage.

The acting is splendid, of course, with Lily James in tip-top shape as Ella – mockingly nicknamed Cinderella by the Tremaine family. James does a wonderful job in bringing the character to life and will instantly draw audiences into liking her. However, the standout performances unsurprisingly belong to Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter.

Blanchett gives a wicked (pun intended) performance as Lady Tremaine and has no problem being vile and all-out diabolical. Blanchett belts out her dialogue with such passion and commitment and one could easily see that she was perfectly cast for the role.

Being the Fairy Godmother and all, Bonham Carter’s role was always expected to be limited, but during her time on screen, she certainly owned the part and delivers a witty and energising performance.

The set design is absolutely wondrous, offering viewers a thorough and breathtaking feast for the eyes.

The costume designs are amazing, with three-time Oscar winning designer Sandy Powell crafting incredible innovations.

We all know that Cinderella isn’t an action film, so don’t expect much in terms of visual effects. However, we at least get some visuals here and there especially during the Fairy Godmother sequence, and it’s absolutely amazing to say the very least.

All in all, Cinderella is sentimental, traditional, detailed and well-acted – all of which make it a highly entertaining film and probably one of Disney’s best live-action remakes based on their animated classics.

PS: Be sure to head into the cinema early in order to catch the animated short film Frozen Fever – a sort of sequel to Frozen which airs in front of all Cinderella screenings.