Jeri Jacquin
Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Kay Cannon and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the musical event of CINDERELLA.
Cinderella (Camila Cabello) lives in a kingdom that is very patriarchal which gets in the way of her big dream of opening a shop called ‘Dresses by Ella’. Living at home with step-mother Vivian (Idina Menzel) and two step-sisters Malvolia (Maddie Baillio) and Narissa (Charlotte Spencer), her room is in the basement where she creates her dress visions.
During an outing to the changing of the guard at the palace, she captures the eye of Prince Robert (Nicholas Galitzine) on the balcony with Queen Beatrice (Minnie Driver) and Princess Gwen (Tallulah Greive) but not before annoying King Rowan (Pierce Brosnan). In an effort to reel his son in, the King wants to have a ball allowing Prince Robert to choose a bride.
What Prince Robert really wants is to see more of Cindrella! During an outing in town, he met the young girl and even bought one of her dresses but she does not know he is royalty. Excited to meet the young man once again, Cinderella makes a stunning gown to go to the ball. The problem is Vivian sees her as competition for her daughters and ruins Cinderella’s chance to go to the ball.
Except, Vivian could not have counted on Cinderella’s Fabulous Godmother (Billy Porter) who makes sure the young girl gets to the ball with the help of three mice James (James Corden), John (James Acaster) and Romesh (Romesh Ranganathan). Before she leaves, Fabulous Godmother gives Cinderella the warning that she must leave before midnight.
At the ball, no one but Prince Robert recognizes her and that’s fantastic for her. What she didn’t expect was everyone noticing her dress, especially Queen Tatiana. She wants to see more of what Cinderella has created and perhaps go with her to travel the world.
As the time gets closer, the magic starts to unravel as Cinderella literally throws her glass slipper to get away. The King is furious now that his plan to find a wife for his son has gone wrong and decides that he will choose. That causes Prince Robert to finally tell his father everything he had been holding in emotionally and caught Queen Beatrices’ way of thinking as well.
Now the chase is on to find Cinderella before step-mother Vivian figures it out and makes her life even more difficult. Love will find a way!
Cabello as Cinderella is charming and sassy which is a different outlook on this character. She has a mind of her own and sees the injustices of the kingdom for her to succeed on her own. Cabello belts out one song after another and looks to be having a blast doing it. Galitzine as Prince Robert is equally as charming and sassy and knows what he does not want for his life. Unfortunately it goes completely against his father the ruler but, Cinderella gives him the courage to say what needs saying to have his own life.
Brosnan as King Rowan is loud, demanding and a bit of a narcissist wanting what he wants when he wants it. Having been allowed to be this way for so long, the strain of his behavior is starting to break his family. Driver as Queen Beatrice has kept her silence even when she thinks her husband is wrong because, well, he is King. Yet, once again, Cinderella is working her magic to show others how to find their voice.
Menzel as step-mother Vivian is not as evil as we have seen step-mothers for Cinderella be but she does not like to be told no, especially by Cinderella. Her vocals are still on point and as beautiful as we have come to know. Porter as Fabulous Godmother gets his moment in the sun to shine and look, well, fabulous.
Baillio and Spencer as Malvolia and Narissa are also not as mean as previous step-sisters but they are not outwardly nice either. They sort of just go along to get along but they look marvelous doing it. Greive as Princess Gwen wants to change the kingdom doing good for everyone and, as she says, “I have ideas!”
Corden, Acaster and Ranganathan as the footmen mice are charming and always there for Cinderella – in one form or another. They want what is best for Cinderella and do look good in gold!
Other cast include Rob Beckett as Thomas Cecil, Beverley Knight as Queen Tatiana, Jenet Le Lacheur as Wilbur, Fra Fee as Hench, Luke Latchman as Griff, Mary Higgins as Princess Laura, Nakai Warikandwa as Princess Nakai.
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A Special Feature includes a Gag Reel.
CINDERELLA is an updated musical with characters that are classic but have more to say, or sing if you will. The musical numbers use songs that have been very popular and choreography that is snappy and fun.
The cast has done a very good job at bringing characters that have been in households for generations and keeping the feel wrapped around the updated changes. The costuming is still stunning but then again I am always thrilled to see beautiful dresses and the ballroom scene does not disappoint.
So, prepare to go to the ball!
In the end – the legend you know and the story you don’t!
