Cinderella

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: March 13, 2015

7.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 471 Ratings

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TVJerryMar 15, 2015

Disney has created a lush, but somewhat lackluster live action version of the classic fairy tale. Lily James glows with kindness and beauty in the title role, while Richard Madden make a dashing Prince Charming. Cate Blanchett brings oldDisney has created a lush, but somewhat lackluster live action version of the classic fairy tale. Lily James glows with kindness and beauty in the title role, while Richard Madden make a dashing Prince Charming. Cate Blanchett brings old world elegance as the stepmother without adding much evil charm. Director Kenneth Branagh has emphasized the earnest emotional content, but it's really the visuals where this film shines: Dante Ferretti's art direction and Sandy Powell's exceptional costumes are simply gorgeous. There's not a lot of personality or comic relief in the cast, but the sincerity of the performances keeps it involving. NOTE: The animated short before the feature is a new song from the "Frozen" sisters.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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Compi24Mar 14, 2015

Sir Kenneth Brannagh's classic glossy, stately fare is given a fairytale twist in "Cinderella," a well-meaning and enjoyable piece that's fun for the whole family.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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cottre22Mar 14, 2015

The only thing that's interesting about this movie is the visual effects. Other than that, the story is incredibly boring and pathetic. Cinderella is a pushover, who allows her stepmother and stepsisters to abuse her. This film basically saysThe only thing that's interesting about this movie is the visual effects. Other than that, the story is incredibly boring and pathetic. Cinderella is a pushover, who allows her stepmother and stepsisters to abuse her. This film basically says to young girls that it's okay if you're poor, if you're hot and nice, then some rich guy will rescue you. Lame. I really wanted to see Cinderella have some more attitude. I wanted her to rebel against her **** of a stepmother. Yeah, right. She just kept letting them walk all over her again and again and again. I don't remember being so irritated by Cinderella's passiveness in the original. Here, in this remake, it felt like Cinderella had more of a choice and she chose to be bullied. Is there something "courageous" or "kind" about letting yourself be abused? Hell no.… Expand

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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VesicalThanatosMar 14, 2015

Like it’s protagonist, Kenneth Branagh’s live-action adaptation of the Disney animated classic Cinderella proves to be little more than a dull, vapid mess covered up by a sparkly blue dress, and no amount of computer-generated mice, slapstickLike it’s protagonist, Kenneth Branagh’s live-action adaptation of the Disney animated classic Cinderella proves to be little more than a dull, vapid mess covered up by a sparkly blue dress, and no amount of computer-generated mice, slapstick pumpkins, or good old fashioned Bonham Carter charm can save it. Once again, director Branagh shows that the only thing he does better than Shakespeare is soulless CGI spectacle.
Everyone is familiar with the Cinderella story, and being that this particular iteration makes no effort to diverge from the tried-true fairy tale anyway, this critic shall not waste any time in summarizing it. To be brief, heroine Ella – Cinderella being a derogatory nickname cooked up by her endlessly irritating stepsisters – is left in the care of her heinous stepmother after both of her parents contract a horrible case of plot device and die. There is a prince, a fairy godmother, a slipper, and a happily ever after. The entirety of the story is narrated incessantly by Helena Bonham Carter’s Fairy Godmother character, and while I do not mind listening to the sound of Ms. Carter’s lovely voice for two hours, this demonstrates the film’s absolute obliviousness to the tenant of “show, don’t tell.”
To Branagh’s credit, it must not be easy to craft a sensible film while working off of such a droll script – under the pen of Chris Weitz, esteemed writer of such masterpieces as The Golden Compass and The Nutty Professor II – while simultaneously being wrung through the dread corporate machine that is Disney. Still, the composition of this film displays a surprising level of incompetence. People slide down doors in despair, slippers can be shattered by stepmothers but left unscathed by a tumble down the stairs, and the characters seem to feel the need to babble incessantly about their feelings.
Our Cinderella is here a blubbering, counter-feministic clod who spends an inordinate amount of time either weeping or pining over her man. Lily James embodies the very image of a breathless, exhaustingly optimistic idiot with her constant empty smiles and flighty gestures. Ella lives her life under her mother’s dying tenant to always “have courage and be kind,” which evidently translates to “be a cheerful and willing servant to your abusive stepfamily.” Thus Ella is enslaved not only by her wicked stepmother, but by her blood mother as well. Ella puts blind loyalty to authority figures over her own happiness and well-being, thus becoming a perfect role-model to young women.
Speaking of wicked stepmothers, Cate Blanchett as the evil Lady Tremaine lends a subtlety and nuance to the role that might be compared to that of a bull in a china shop. Of course, how else can the audience tell that the stepmother is bad if she doesn’t follow every act of over-the-top, wanton cruelty with a smirk and a malevolent chuckle?
The film’s saving grace comes, unsurprisingly, in the form of Helena Bonham Carter, whose light and incredibly fun portrayal of Ella’s Fairy Godmother makes for a very watchable ten minutes in the middle of the film. Carter fills the screen with her presence and certainly woke this critic out of his near-catatonic state of boredom, even making Weitz’s trite, wooden dialogue feel clever.
Of course when it comes down to it this was a spectacle movie, and on that end it lived up. The use of CGI animals was obvious and often unnecessary – I’m sure that they still make real deer, Mr. Branagh – and the magic of the movie was unfortunately limited to the Fairy Godmother’s standout scenes in the middle, but the effects were nevertheless detailed and fun to watch. The film was an absolute parade of lovely costumes designed by Sandy Powell, especially the endless supply of bizarre yet beautiful outfits worn by Blanchett. Patrick Doyle’s score was grandiose and seemed to be struggling to carry the emotional weight of the film, as the actors clearly weren't making any effort to do so.
In all, this is a largely forgettable flick that trudges on through an uninspired and clichéd retelling of a story that has been told far too many times already. Without any fresh offerings or inspiring role-models, even children are sure to be unimpressed by this obviously mechanical piece of cold corporate cash-in.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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MisterKSMar 14, 2015

What a stunning achievement! Long I had felt transported by a movie and this one exactly does that, whether it's told a million times before. You'd be a heart of stone not to be taken by its wonders. Simply magical!

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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yayaloriMar 14, 2015

This movie was delightful from start to finish. I read a critic review that stated "Same old fairytale". Exactly, and so wonderfully done. This movie teaches goodness and thinking of others, which is refreshing in the self serving world thatThis movie was delightful from start to finish. I read a critic review that stated "Same old fairytale". Exactly, and so wonderfully done. This movie teaches goodness and thinking of others, which is refreshing in the self serving world that we live in. It is filled with beautiful scenery and well cast. I think both male and female, young to old will enjoy this movie.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

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Chazd3Mar 13, 2015

I'm a senior citizen, single, no grand kids to accompany me, just me. My mom took me to see the Disney animated classic in the 50's. It has held a beautiful place in my heart ever since. I've seen many adaptations over the decades. None haveI'm a senior citizen, single, no grand kids to accompany me, just me. My mom took me to see the Disney animated classic in the 50's. It has held a beautiful place in my heart ever since. I've seen many adaptations over the decades. None have ever matched this. This non-animated version for me was spectacular visually, moving, romantic, and sparked the flames in my heart from this legendary fairy tale I've held since I was seven. Could not have been done better!… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

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JohnKristoferMar 13, 2015

The movie is not that bad as I thought it would be.It's not just like Maleficent that has dark take on the story.It is still Cinderella But now it is now live in action that kids would enjoy.It is really faithful to the animated classic.TheThe movie is not that bad as I thought it would be.It's not just like Maleficent that has dark take on the story.It is still Cinderella But now it is now live in action that kids would enjoy.It is really faithful to the animated classic.The Jokes are kind a out of place or awkward.It is an accurate representation of A Disney animated movie that we grow up with and now is now live in action but their are some twist they do in some situations compared to the animated movie but all in all it is still a Cinderella movie that again kids especially young girls might enjoy.I don't know if adults would enjoy too.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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behzadhoseini77Mar 13, 2015

Spectacular Faithful Version of the 1950 Animated Classic
Everything in the movie is almost flawless from the way it is executed. The sets are heavy in detail and period. The production design is strikingly stunning. The costumes (by theSpectacular Faithful Version of the 1950 Animated Classic
Everything in the movie is almost flawless from the way it is executed. The sets are heavy in detail and period. The production design is strikingly stunning. The costumes (by the Academy Award-winning designer Sandy Powell) are elegant especially the glass slipper. And the score (by other Branagh regular Patrick Doyle) is rousing. Almost, there is nothing to criticize here since this is a faithfully accurate adaptation.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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JordanTMar 13, 2015

What I enjoyed most about the latest "animation to live-action" treatment, is that Cinderella is a relatively straightforward telling of the timeless story. While Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent were re-imaginings, Cinderella is retoldWhat I enjoyed most about the latest "animation to live-action" treatment, is that Cinderella is a relatively straightforward telling of the timeless story. While Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent were re-imaginings, Cinderella is retold respectfully for the new generation. I genuinely believe that Disney did something right with their latest live-action film. While most people were probably expecting a sword-wielding action hero, I'm happy that Disney treated their most beloved character with the uttermost care and respect. The story of Cinderella is very personal to each person who has felt like the underdog, but managed to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes in the end. If Walt Disney were alive today, I'm sure he would be proud to see his most treasured little savior be retold to the new generation in a beautiful and charming way. Bravo!… Expand

9 of 14 users found this helpful95

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