Blu-ray Review: Cinderella

Cinderella
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger, Helena Bonham Carter
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00UI5CTE2
Running Time: 105 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available to own on Btu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is Walt Disney's Cinderella. No, I 'm not talking about the classic 1950 animation film, but I'm referring to this year's live-action version. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Thor), the film stars Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger and Helena Bonham Carter. Bonus Features includes Frozen Fever Theatrical Short, A Fairy True Comes to Life - Filmmakers and stars reflect on Cinderella's enduring power; Staging The Ball - Experience the making of the lavish Palace Ball Sequence; Alternative Opening: Ella's Childhood - View added moments from Ella's Childhood; Ella's Furry Friends - See how the animal stars honed their memorable performances; and Costume Test Fun - See the work of Academy Award-winning® Costume Designer Sandy Powell (The Aviator, 2004) and share some lighthearted moments with the cast.

Based on the Charles Perrault fairy tales as well as the 1950 animated classic, Cinderella centers on a Ella (played by Lily James) who was raised by her father Ben Chaplin after her mother (played by Hayley Atwell) suddenly passed away. It was just her father and her until he announced that he had fallen in love on one of his business trip with a widow mother, Lady Tremaine (played by Cate Blanchett), and plans on marrying her.

Despite being shocked about the news, Ella becomes excited about the idea of having a step-mother and two step-sisters, Drisella (played by Sophie McShera) and Anastasia (played by Holliday Grainger), and lovingly accepts them into her home. Unfortunately, she figures out quickly that things aren't going to be fun when she is tricked into giving away her bedroom to her step-sisters in exchange for the dusty attic. Sadly, Ella's father had fallen ill and died on one of his business trips, leaving Ella alone with her evil step-mother and step-sisters, whom force her to become the maid (well, more like a slave) of the household.

Out of the blue, words gets out that the Prince (played by Richard Madden) is throwing a huge ball at his families kingdom and that he's searching for his princess that he briefly met in the woods, which just happens to be Ella.

Lady Tremaine is determined to have one of her daughters become the Prince's bride-to-be and gets the best dresses made for the ball. Of course Ella (or as her step-family calls her - Cinderella), gets left at home while everyone else is at the ball. However, The Fairy Godmother (played by Helena Bonham Carter) arrives to help Ella out and, well, you probably know the rest of the story.

While I have always liked the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty animated movies, I've never cared much for Cinderella, however I do like the actresses Helena Bonham Carter and Cate Blanchett, so I thought I would give the live-action version a try. Not expecting much from the film, I found Cinderella to be entertaining and a bit of a refresh on the old fairy tale. It does feel like the characters from the 1950 film have come to life in this version, which has something to do with good casting and great filming by director Kenneth Branagh. Overall, Cinderella is a well-made fairy tale.