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.