With a character like Cinderella, and with a story of a common girl becoming the princess through the magic of her godmother, one knows how the movie will end before they even enter the cinema. Told through animation, told through movies retelling the same story or a story similar to Cinderella – everybody, more or less, knows what to expect. Therefore, the challenge is not about changing the story but finding a new, a refreshing way of retelling the beloved story again! And I think Chris Weitz and Kenneth Branagh together with Sandy Powell did just that.
As I exited the cinema, being shocked and surprised at the fact that I actually enjoyed the movie, multiple things popped into my head that I considered to benefit the remaking of the beloved fairytale. First, it added a little bit more context to Cinderella herself, her kindness and especially to her always hopeful soul. It also aimed and succeeded with giving the evil stepmother a bit more dimension than usual and as it happens, with the addition of small supportive and comedic roles, Cinderella had some humor as well! All of this is thanks to Weitz, who took the story and retell it to his best ability and I think in a way he managed because I was never bored. Or maybe if I was bored, it was because The Prince hadn’t been introduced to us yet and I couldn’t wait to see Richard Madden.
Honestly though, I had to ask my friend who the Prince was before Madden came on screen – I completely missed all the promotional stuff and I had forgotten the fact that he had been cast. Which was nice, because I got to be completely surprised by his sparkling blue eyes and tight, tight white pants. Though it was Disney, and I read that they had done many fittings, I think they didn’t really succeed because man those pants were in your face like no other. And now I can’t stop thinking about anything else… this is torture.
Anyway, getting back to the movie elements, I want to express my love towards Sandy Powell because the outfits looked amazing! It truly was a visual treat to see those big gorgeous dresses, the light blue one on Cinderella, the white one on the Fairy Godmother and the mesmerizing ones on the evil Stepmother. It was strong from start to finish when it came to the outfits, the gowns and the men all looked sharp and colorful. The fact that it was so colorful was also, in my opinion, magical. Though, yes the stepsisters got to have the brightest colors, the overall feel of the movie was still very rainbow like, which just makes you unconditionally happy.
Obviously I’m sending lots of love to Richard Madden but I also need to praise Cate Blanchett for the evil Stepmother, Helena Bonham Carter for the Fairy Godmother and Lily James for a growing on me as Cinderella. I have to admit, at first I was a bit hesitant of James but her performance grew into something I actually enjoyed. Though everything seemed to be mediocre next to the veteran Blanchett, and even Bonham Carter didn’t outshine her as much. But, having said that, the little cameo by Rob Brydon was the highlight of the whole movie for some odd reason.
Long story short, I knew completely well what Cinderella was all about and yet, I still enjoyed the movie a lot. It’s refreshing to say that, it truly is, and I was completely taken by the fact that it was so colorful and every time Richard Madden smiled, I thought I was going to loose it. There was humor, there was heart and it was beautiful – a proper Disney fairy tale not just for the kids but also for the creepy grown-ups staring at the Prince’s bulge.
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Good review Ray. Simple and old-fashioned, but still done well enough to where I didn’t care too much.
It was indeed well done, it was simple and retelling the story with minor adjustments while still keeping it classical.
Great write up! Seriously, that bulge – I mean my God. Those little girl will be so confused. I’m going to see it with my mother next week….I’m sure we will enjoy it 🙂
That bulge was… in my face all the time!!! Poor kids but then again, maybe the little ones won’t be as focused on that as I was because my god Richard looked good! Too bad he was without his beard.. but luckily he has it for his promotional tour. 🙂
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, it’s nothing ground breaking, but still sweet and Richard is worth it! 😀
Mwahahaha!!! The prince’s tight pants is um, hard to get over… I mean, like you said, it’s in your face, no denying it! Richard is ridiculously gorgeous it’s like he’s not even human!
In any case, I enjoyed this too, Disney made the right decision hiring Branagh and Blanchett, but the rest of the cast turns out pretty well, too!
It was a delightful little treat.. I mean, seriously, even James was alright though a bit awkward looking to me in the beginning.
True winner of course was Richard and his bulge!! 😀
Ahah yeah, there are plenty of eye candy in this movie. My review of it is almost done, it’s perhaps one of the longest I’ve ever done but I just had a lot to say 😉
Agree! I love it for its attempt to enrich the ‘already-known’ story than to twist it. And, obviously, Sandy Powell got the spotlight now!!!
Surprisingly, I was also unaware that Richard Madden was in this movie until he finally came to screen; and when he finally came, I was like “will the Ball be a Red Ball?” and I laughed to myself. Lol.
Ha! That would have been a horrific movie if the ball would have turned red, my god, how could you even think that! 😀
Because Robb Stark is there!!
Well this is going to be awkward for Richard if you start thinking of him being Robb and the Red Wedding every time you see him in a movie. 😀
Lol you know, I think I got PSTD of the Red Wedding
I should rewatch GOT now… 😀
Great review! I contemplate watching this at times, because Richard Madden is one of the most gorgeous human beings I have ever seen. I think I’ll give it a shot.
He is great in there and the movie is a delightful remake.. I usually kind of hate these remakes but for kids, I don’t mind that much. Then again, it’s also for us because Richard Madden is a hunk!
Great write-up! I was never interested in seeing this but now that I’ve learned about the pants I’m off to the cinema!
Oh the pants.. I would watch this again just for the pants! 😀
I need to see this for Madden’s legendary bulge. Male camel toe??
Yes you do!