‘Cinderella’ Brings the Magic

‘Cinderella’ hits theaters on Friday March 13. Courtesy of fanpop.com.

By Kerrie DeFelice, Reporter
March 18, 2015

The newest Cinderella movie, Cinderella, has hit the big screen. In our short lifetimes there has been a plethora of Cinderella movies from A Cinderella Story, Ever After, Enchanted, and the classic 1950 version of Cinderella. Many people have overlooked this new release, but they should reevaluate their decision. This Cinderella movie is the best one yet. From the cast, to the set, to all of the unanswered questions we may have overlooked as children, Cinderella is worthy of a movie goer’s time. Here are some pros and cons to consider before seeing this magical film.

Pro: Lily James

The movie follows the same plot as older versions of the story where Cinderella meets the Prince in the woods and rencounters him at the ball. Courtesy of cineplex.com.
The movie follows the same plot as older versions of the story where Cinderella meets the Prince in the woods and encounters him at the ball. Courtesy of cineplex.com.

Even though her waist might have been taken in a bit by CGI, Downton Abbey’s Lily James was born to play a princess. James portrayed Cinderella with beauty and grace, and out of all the Cinderella movies ever made she is the best. An exuberant amount of kindness abounds from James as Cinderella, leaves the audience wondering why the world isn’t more like her.

Pro: Richard Madden

Richard Madden is known for his role of Robb Stark in HBO's hit "Game of Thrones". Courtesy of collider.com.
Richard Madden is known for his role of Robb Stark in HBO’s hit Game of Thrones. Courtesy of collider.com.

If you were as heartbroken as I was when Robb Stark died on Game of Thrones, then prepare to see Cinderella. Richard Madden returned to the screen as Prince “Kit” Charming and steals our heart. His humble nature and love of Ella’s true kindness makes him the best prince possible.

Pro: Cate Blanchett

Playing the role of Lady Tremaine is Cate Blanchett along with Holliday Grainger (Anastasia) and Sophie McShera (Drizella) as Cinderella's step-sisters. Courtesy of shockya.com.
Playing the role of Lady Tremaine is Cate Blanchett along with Holliday Grainger (Anastasia) and Sophie McShera (Drizella) as Cinderella’s step-sisters. Courtesy of shockya.com.

As evil step mothers go, Cate Blanchett tops them off. Blanchett’s attitude and intense style perfectly echoed the original Disney movie’s Lady Tremaine by getting to the root of her characters true jealousy towards Cinderella. Every stare towards Cinderella said more than any dialogue could.

Pro: Set

Lily James can be seen as Lady Rose MacClare in ITV's "Downton Abbey" . Courtesy of glamourmagazine.co.uk.
Lily James can be seen as Lady Rose MacClare in ITV’s “Downton Abbey” . Courtesy of glamourmagazine.co.uk.

The set of this film was beautiful. The kingdom that Cinderella and Kit live in truly portrays the Disney magic captured in the classics. From the royal gardens to the country estate Ella lives on, the set was the ideal place for a fairytale.

Pro: Answering Questions

The classic fairytale stars Lily James as Cinderella and Richard Madden portraying Prince "Kit" Charming. Courtesy of comingsoon.net.
The classic fairytale stars Lily James as Cinderella and Richard Madden portraying Prince “Kit” Charming. Courtesy of comingsoon.net.

 

As a child, watching a movie didn’t get our full attention, so we may have not noticed a lot of important details. One instance was when Cinderella went to the ball, how did her stepmother and step sisters not notice her since she wasn’t wearing a mask? Well Lily James thought the same thing when her Fairy Godmother Helena Bonham Carter came to her rescue, and she put a little bibbidi bobbidi on her face, and – bam – facial recognition is no longer a problem. Cinderella is also not the only woman in the kingdom to have a size 6 foot, so why didn’t the glass slipper fit any other maiden? Well, the Fairy Godmother explained that no matter who tried on the slipper, it refused to fit anyone else due to its magical qualities.

I went into this movie expecting some downfalls since there have been at least ten Cinderella movies, but there weren’t any. Cinderella manages to evoke the classic Disney memories of countless childhoods and still remain a great movie.