Movie Review: Cinderella (2015)

Genre: Drama, Family, Romance, Fantasy, Remake

Release Date: 12 March 2015 (Malaysia)

Main Casts: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden

Rating: Rotten Tomatoes
              85% - Critics, 81% - Audience
              IMDb 7.2





My first word: Beautiful. (4 out of 5 stars)

As years gone past, a lot of movies been created same as the old one. Remake in their own way or a bit twist in the original. Such as Spiderman, Batman, Superman and now in trend, a fairytale. There have been Snow White remake (Snow White & The Huntsman and Mirror Mirror), Sleeping Beauty (Maleficient), Cinderella live action and now, the upcoming Beauty and the Beast live action (2017). In fairytale princesses, my favorite is Sleeping Beauty and less liking it for Cinderella. I have 50/50 opinion about remakes but this time, I don't know how to describe this movie. It was sensational in their own way. Beautiful, dreamy fantasy. 

* 13 March, the day I watch this movie. This review is based on watching Cinderella for the first and second time at the TV. *

I enjoy watching it. It feels dreamy with the story and actors. The story is simple as it is a Cinderella story but this time, it adds realistic sense to it. We are in 2015, so the concept of "the first time the girl met the prince, fall at first sight and get married" can't be logical sense. That is in the classic Disney's fairytale movie. 

"Have courage, and be kind."

So, I like the improvements of this movie. How they add Cinderella's childhood and the way her parents died. How her mother words has become her support throughout her living environment with her wicked stepmother. How they add why the stepmother becoming evil though the reason not fully satisfied me as it is still vague why the stepmother hates her. Is it because of her jealousy towards Cinderella, is it? Or love and youthfulness of Cinderella? Okay, moving along. I love the plot though it can be a little boring after her parents died but when she met the Prince, my eyes start to feel energized again. His eyes.. wow.  The first time they met is spectacular. My second favorite scene in this movie. When the ball scene played, I love every scene of it; her makeover with her fairy godmother, her dress, dance with the prince and the garden scene. I love how they add A Cinderella Story and Ever After feel in this movie, references to Cinderella movies. After she left her glass shoe and him, the story went another way (not very differ from the classic one) so thank you, scriptwriter.  *there are several differences that I've never listed it because it will be a spoiler so you guys can watch it at TV or the internet. 😊 * 

Actings... I like how they portray these classic fairytale characters in live action. I had big expectations on their acting as I like fairytale movies and I'm not disappointed by them. They were good but not the best. This is the first time I watch Lily James and Richard Madden's movies though I know they're famous in TV Series (Downtown Abbey and Game of Thrones).  There was one minor I dislike from Lily James that she always takes a deeep breath when she met the Prince. Don't like that but overall, I like it (even her small waist 😁 ). For Richard Madden, his acting was okay as the Prince. Charming and handsome. At first, I didn't like him in the trailer but after watching it, I will keep updates with his movies. And I have a thing with British guys. His slang.. Cate Blanchett.. because she has been acting for a long time so she succeeds bring this character alive, wicked. One character that I feel it should be noticed in the Cinderella movies. The fairy godmother by Helena Bonham Carter. I always watch her act as a weird or evil character and I was surprised when they announce this news. She can be pretty mad (Les Miserables) or evil (Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter series) or weird (Sweeney Todd) and a good parent (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) but nevertheless, it is a good cameo in this movie. 

I love how they remake A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes song.. and it sang by Lily James herself. But bummer I didn't hear it in the movie. I think they put in the credits.. that's why I didn't notice in the cinemas. My bad..  Anyway, the chemistry is there and one of my favorite scenes of them is how the Prince found Cinderella. I love it, this creativity. Make it more romantic and suit with the 21th century. Oh, another point to say. At first, I didn't like the Prince when I was watching the trailer. Feels like argghh. But after I watch the movie, gosh he is handsome. Maybe I saw him, not a photogenic person (my eyes I think). Sorryy.. 

Conclusively, Cinderella is a movie that stay true to the classic one, still add new things to make it more interesting. It capture my attention and make me like this princess more than the old one. For me, it is a beautiful movie. 

footnote; pictures credit to google & trailer to youtube

another footnote; my ratings based on how I enjoy it and quality of the movie