Cinderella

I didn't know this movie existed until recently.. and what a pleasant surprise! From the great casting (and each and everyone one of their lovely portrayals, expressions and interactions), to the colors, clothing, sets, music, locations and developments.

After every photorealistic disappointment from Disney since Alice in Wonderland (2010), to find a lovely adaptation of the original that isn't flat or insulting and with a damn good script as a foundation! That is to say, that if you are going to remake these movies, at least make them "good".. not worse (like they did Maleficent, Aladdin and the Lion King amongst others).

This has a fresh and lovely start. The family setting of fair standing, with a context of love and caring relationships, followed by loss and moving on. It feels different.. although if you've seen Ella Enchanted from 2004, you'd probably say I'm very mistaken. Still, the direction it takes gives you uncertainty of its development. Almost everything is more realistic. That is, until it doesn't.. for a moment. Personally, I feel this story would have been perfect had it kept its course with some elements left out. While still good, my expectations for it begot higher expectations. You'd have to see it to understand.. the way it unravels feels known but unique.

Still, I wasn't disappointed. It feels magical and lovely still. I particularly enjoyed Richard, and therefore his interactions with Lily (both leads). And every other character isn't underwritten or annoying or wasted. It's hard to find consistency, and for everything displayed to matter.

Easy recommendation for any Disney fan.. specially for those disillusioned with what we've gotten as of late.

The story is still an old story, beautifully dreamy, fashion design and art director praise, Cinderella transformation and dancing two scenes are too beautiful. Blanchett really steals the show, Lily James is also quite cute, Helena has less drama, but what other fairy godmother is as interesting as her.

Non-musical elaboration of the familiar fairy tale is (at times) teeth-achingly sweet, while remaining unapologetically sincere, warm, & fun. Blanchett chews just the right amount of scenery & James is pure innocence personified. #nitrosMovieChallenge.

This movie has been very poorly understood by the public. Unlike previous films, which seek to rewrite traditional fairy tales or watch them from new perspectives ("Maleficent", "Ever After", or even the animations "Brave" or "Tangled"), this film is the live-action version of the fairy tale in its more traditional version. Therefore, we know the whole story and very little has been changed or added. Any problem? Not for me. I usually like original versions more than any contemporary re-interpretations, but it seems that fairy tales have gone out of style.

One of the criticisms I saw was the Cinderella's passive attitude: the girl was educated under values of kindness and generosity (something our current society no longer knows) and isn't willing to abdicate these principles in adversity. Maybe she think that would betray her mother's memory. For our society, which treats the dead as unknown and the living even worse, such submission and servitude is unacceptable! The oppressed must revolt! Cinderella shouldn't serve the tea, she should take that teapot and stick it in her stepmother's throat! Or should she kick her feet and whine, saying "I don't do it, I'm sick of it"? If you are reading this and you're also think that Cinderella should revolt, then you're one more who has totally forgotten what a fairy tale is. A fairy tale is not about reality or what we do. It's about moral values and what we should do. And the moral teaching conveyed by this tale is that biblical passage "turn the other cheek", that you must have heard in Sunday School if you have frequented it. Cinderella's tale is entirely about this! She had the courage to silently endure her suffering and to forgive those who hurt her and, in the end, her reward was to fall in love with a prince and change her life. Her stepmother's punishment didn't delay: she ended up punished, but not by the person she most offended. Moral of the story: love your enemy and forgive, you will have the reward, sooner or later.

Well, the movie is great and is absolutely true to the original fairy tale, including with regard to costumes and sets, which are beautiful. Unfortunately, CGI is too obvious. I would have preferred realistic sets in proper locations rather than the green screen, which should be used with more caution. I have seen some criticism about the large neckline of Cinderella's dress but, in the historical period in which the tale was set (19th century), the ball dress were usually very low-cut. But don't complain! We see women with even fewer clothes on our streets today and we find it natural! Lily James and Cate Blanchett are the main actresses of the film and it is their work (as stepmother and stepdaughter) that supports the whole plot. Blanchett, unsurprisingly, shone with her usual charm, and the veiled but venomous malice she had bestowed on her character. James is an actress I didn't know but I liked to see, having done her work quite well. It's a young actress, surely this movie isn't going to be the movie of her life, but she left a promise of talent that may come to blossom. Helena Bonham Carter and Stellan Skarsgård also enter the film in supporting roles that their talent makes it seem easy.

This movie will easily please all those who want to watch a movie with the original Cinderella story. It's absolutely the same as the book our grandparents used to delight our childhoods. However, if you've gotten tired of it and prefer a modern version of the story this movie is not for you.

This was well casted and I loved the visual effects of it. The infamous transformation was perfection. I wished there was more Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) as she was expectedly fabulous, but her part was disappointingly short.