Cinderella (2015) Review

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

There have been many live action adaptations of Cinderella over the years, but it’s not that much of a surprise that when Walt Disney Studios had another go at it, it arguably matched the quality of its animated predecessor.


PLOT


The 2015 adaptation shows that the titular protagonist was originally named Ella. Growing up, her birth mother (Hayley Atwell) gave her the advice to always have courage and be kind before passing away. Her father (Ben Chaplin) would remarry to a widowed Lady Tremaine but shortly after he passed away as well, she didn’t hesitate being cruel to Ella to the point of having her sleep in the attic, to have her bedroom be given up to her daughters Anastasia & Drizella, and making her sole servant for the house. She would be mockingly called Cinderella when the sisters see her covered in cinder for sleeping near the fireplace. One day, she goes out for a ride in the woods and unknowingly meets Prince Kit, who he introduces himself as a palace apprentice, but they don’t exchange names. As his father, the King (Derek Jacobi), announces a royal ball for him to find a princess to marry, he is able to convince him to invite all eligible maidens hoping to see Ella again. When she hears of this, she intends to go when refashioning an old dress that belonged to her mom, but is stopped by her stepfamily when they rip it up. Feeling tired of the neglect, her troubles seem to end when a fairy godmother comes to her aid and provides her a transformation that’ll assure her to go to the ball. She does give her an exquisite blue gown and glass slippers where her stepfamily won’t recognize her in as long as she wears them, but she turns a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into horses, lizards into footmen and a goose into a coachman. Before leaving, the fairy godmother warns her that the spells will only last until midnight. At the ball, Ella would reunite with Kit and be surprised to know who he actually is, but the Grand Duke is annoyed he’s not in Princess Chelina for political reasons. Ella does enjoy bonding with the Prince again, but would soon leave once the clock chimes close to midnight and would accidentally leave a glass slipper behind. The prince and the Grand Duke do try to pursue her hoping to know her identity, but she hides in time before the magic dissipates. By the time her stepfamily return home and talk about the ball, Tremaine would get suspicious upon noticing Ella be jolly. On the king’s deathbed, he gives his son permission to pursue Ella should he find her again. As the new king, he issues a proclamation for the one who forget her slipper. Upon hearing this, Ella hopes to retrieve the other one, but Tremaine finds it first which confirms her suspicion. She tries to blackmail her stepdaughter into making her head of the royal household but when she refuses, she breaks the slipper and locks her in the room. She brings the slippers’ remains to the grand duke and tells her the truth, only for them to be at an agreement where she can be a countess & secure advantageous marriages for her daughters as long as Ella is hidden forever. Certain that the grand duke is behind something, he orders to have every woman in the kingdom to try on the remaining slipper until he finds Ella again. He then secretly joins the duke’s group when reaching Ella’s home. The slipper doesn’t fit neither Anastasia nor Drizella and he almost departs until hearing Ella singing in the attic. With no choice, Tremaine frees her and tries on the slipper to prove her identity. As she leaves with the king, she forgives her stepfamily and embraces Cinderella as her new name. The film’s epilogue concludes the story with Cinderella & Kit living happily ever after, whereas Tremaine and her daughters, as well as the Duke, left the kingdom permanently.


THOUGHTS


Remakes are always a challenges for the one story that is told so many times, so it was impressive to see director Kenneth Branagh find a way to make it refreshing while still respecting the source material. The cinematography and costume design was all god damn gorgeous because it just felt like the magic was finding its way back to us as if we lost it. I mean I felt newfound joy during the Bibbidi Bobiddi Boo scene because it was all ecstatic of a moment to see the pumpkin become a carriage and I had a laugh seeing the lizards turn human but still have their reptilian traits. The changes that were made were actually smart ones because it helped make the narrative feel far more grounded. Excluding the songs from before was gamble, but worth it as the pacing was just as fluent without it. Not having the mice talk and have a consistent rivalry with the cat Lucifer when they were supporting characters like before was a surprise, but I didn't mind it because it would be too predictable for them to be as involved. And actually showing Ella's parents was another bold move since it only enhanced sympathizing for her. Adding this up, this movie still succeeds in sharing the message that the great reward in life is being humble in the darkest of times because will prosperity will come to the most patient. This is still the case with the titular lead who is shown at her lowest due to constant neglect/abuse at every given chance to an oppressor that's supposed to be family, but holds it out long enough to have a new chapter of happiness. Lily James was so great of a choice because she nails all the sweetness that defines the character. Again with all the negativity that she had to put up with, she was able to keep it together longer than anyone could've expected. She takes the nickname once she realizes she'll be free because that was her way to make it a strength rather than a weakness. She wasn't even looking for a way out of the torment, but she unknowingly walked into it when meeting the prince. I totally enjoy how he is far more fleshed out here to defend why he is meant to be with her. Richard Madden was awesome as Kit because he was more than Charming, he was very noble as he learned from his dad and was resilient enough to get what he wanted. Like before, he and Ella are a good match because they see each other for within and not what is out. That alone validates their determination to be together when obstacles get in their way. While it was neat to see Nonso Anozie portray a loyal friend out of the friend, Helena Bonham Carter was a god damn delight as the Fairy Godmother because despite being a little ditzy, she came through in being the saving grace Ella needed after years of patience. Without one or the other, there would be no happily ever after. One change that surprised me in a big way was the Grand Duke being an antagonist as well because it did enhance the suspense needed to lessen predictability. Stellan Skarsgard definitely made it believable the guy was a stingy guy rather than be a helpful member of the kingdom. However, he ain't the main source of animosity and villainy. I can go on and on with how on point Sophie McShera & Holiday Grainger were in making Anastasia & Drizella stupid yet cruel, but there is no denying Cate Blanchett in making Lady Tremaine the most evil bitch. She reminded us the worst aspects that can come from step parents and make us grateful some are nothing like her. Her jealousy was off the charts in being vile because she felt that she wasn't good enough to impress anyone when being herself. She was aware that Ella's dad still missed his first wife, which would only make his daughter a threat to be reminded that. Since that doesn't excuse her behavior, it is insane she went that far in making the girl's life a living hell. I think it was important for Ella to say she forgave her, whether or not she really did, because that was her way of letting her know she can't control her anymore and she won't handle that anymore. Wherever Tremaine's family would go after, I highly doubt it's as happy as what the king and queen got going for them. While I give a lot of credit this movie has already going for, there are still some things that don't make much sense upon rewatching. Like I respect Ella wanting to maintain her mom's motto, but she had the right objecting to living in the attic, especially since Tremaine pitched it before her dad died. And considering how consistent the abuse was, what made Ella think she'd let her go to the ball? If she didn't want to put up with her, she should've snuck out before the dress got ruined. It was funny that the pumpkin grew inside the greenhouse, but Ella could've taken it outside if it was too heavy for Fairy Godmother to carry. It's even crazy that the glass slipper doesn't break when it bounces off the stairs. Considering Tremaine broke the other one so easily, it's kind of a miracle the first one didn't. Even though she broke it, it still did nothing because as long as Kit had the other, the search would still go on. Other than that, this movie is still good for what it is. In short, 2015's Cinderella was a solid iteration of the fairy tale for reminding us the gift of goodness. If you enjoyed Disney's first take on it, this update will definitely be pleasing to watch as well for you.