I can’t believe it…we saw Cinderella. It was movie night and we had seen or previously rejected all of the other films in the area. The indie/foreign theaters didn’t offer anything that didn't look boring or maudlin. So, seeing a good number (86%) on Flixter, we decided, what the heck…how bad can it be…let’s see Cinderella. It’s the first time in years that I’ve seen a kid movie, but damn, it was really good. Directed by Kenneth Branaugh and with the Disney logo, this movie posed an interesting task for the Imagineers. It’s a live-actor movie, not an animation, but of course, things like transformations (especially the pumpkin to carriage change), fairy god-mothers and the ubiquitous Disney animal mascots and such don’t come without animation. So the large aspects of the kingdom, the palace and at least some of what’s close up on screen are animated, but most of the action is live. What is truly amazing is just how seamless it all is.
The plot is familiar to anyone who ever was a kid, with nothing new or unexpected. I have not read the book that it was based on, but unlike most recent movie do-overs, this movie does NOT amplify the plot much beyond what’s in the old Disney film. There are embellishments (mainly “Ella’s” back story, done well) to flesh out a nearly 2 hour movie with no song breaks, but otherwise, it’s completely recognizable. What must have been scary to the Disney corporation, is the legacy problem. Cinderella is about as central to the Disney creation myth as anything except Snow White or Mickey Mouse. Back in the day (1950) Walt himself scrutinized literally every frame of the hand-drawn animated classic, to be sure that action was believable, that clothes wrinkled and moved correctly and to be sure that color was right; it was a grueling, sweat-shop job for Walt and the animators. This version seems no less exacting. The required digital animation blends with the real action, the designs are excellent and the whole thing creates a believable fairy tale world. It’s a genuine visual treat with Disney pulling out all the stops. Like any Disney movie, it has its animated animal mascots for comic relief, in this case several chittering mice, some likable lizards and a weary, self doubting goose. In the context of the movie, however, they work quite well.
As for the live actors, aside from Cate Blanchete (evil step-mother) Helena Bonham Carter (fairly godmother) and Stellan Skarsgard (the Grand Duke), most of the rest of the cast (most importantly, Lily James as Ella/Cinderella and Richard Madden as the prince) is unknown to me. All of them are as good as they need to be, but nothing special is found in the acting performances. Costumes are opulent. Set design is excellent, having been set in a British castle with digital enhancements. The look is vaguely early 19th century, close to some sort of reality, but not too close to still be a fairy tale. The whole look is amazing. I was initially in an eye-rolling mood to be seeing a movie that mainly appeals to 5 year old girls, but I found myself dragged in. Between Branaugh’s direction and the Imagineers’ attention to detail and design, this movie is enjoyable, even to a guy whose own mood is closer to that of the cynical Grand Duke. If you don’t have a kid or grandkid, feel free to borrow one from somebody for a couple hours and see the movie. Yes, it IS Disney, but it’s really good.
