For the last several years, Disney has tried to re-capture the original magic of our favorite fairy tales with updated, live-action adaptations. It started with 2010’s “Alice in Wonderland” directed by Tim Burton. Though the film was filled with stunning visuals and an all star cast, the story left little to be desired. Nevertheless, it made a killing (thanks largely in part to the insane prices for 3-D showings). Disney believed they captured lightning in a bottle because soon after, they released “OZ: The Great and Powerful” and “Maleficent” which followed Burton’s project’s focus on beautiful visuals, but a weak script with updated plot points. They both made huge strides at the box office. There are several future adaptations of animated classics slated for later releases, including “Beauty and the Beast” which will star Emma Watson as Princess Belle.
So you can understand my exhaustion when the trailer for “Cinderella” appeared online a few months ago, following Disney’s heavy promotion for their Academy Award nominated “Into the Woods”, which featured Anna Kendrick as the titular runaway princess (though closer to The Brothers Grimm’s version than Walt Disney’s). All of the familiar story beats were there: the blue gown, the helpful mice, big names (particularly Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham-Carter and two time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett) and stunning visuals. I’ll admit, I was intrigued, but still rather annoyed; did Cinderella really need a live-action adaptation?
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, where the promotion had really picked up steam. Trailers playing before just about every video available on Youtube, and TV spots on every channel; it was inescapable. They weren’t bad trailers either, and I began to wonder, “What if this thing is actually… good?”. Following the recent live action adaptations, however, I was skeptical. But the reviews began pouring in, and they were great; a 67 on Meteoritic and a 83% on Rotten Tomatoes are nothing to scoff at, especially when you see “Maleficent’s” reviews. After sitting down and watching the film, it’s easy to see why. Unlike their past efforts at re-vamping their classic stories, Disney harks back to its golden age with “Cinderella”, creating a truly magical, worthy and memorable retelling for a new generation of children.
What’s so great about the film, is that there’s no grand efforts to change the familiar story. While “Maleficent” attempted to tell us just why the self-proclaimed ‘Mistress of All Evil’ was so evil, screenwriter Chris Weitz keeps the story fairly familiar; after the death of her parents, Ella (Lily James from “Downtown Abbey”), saddled with the cruel name Cinderella by her wicked step-mother Lady Tremaine (Blanchett) and step-sisters Anastasia (Holiday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera), wants to go attend the Prince’s ball. Her Fairy Godmother (Bonham-Carter) grants her wish, and she is then able to dance with the prince (“Downtown Abbey” co-star Richard Madden) and they live happily ever after.
Blanchett’s performance as Lady Tremaine follows the long-list of A-List actresses embodying wicked witches and vilenesses that have come to make these live-action adaptations so popular (Jolie’s Maleficent, Charlize Theron’s Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Huntsman”, etc). But what makes Blanchett’s turn so mesmerizing, is that there is no amped up histrionics to distract from the sheer evil she’s portraying. Though not armed with a magic mirror, or shape shifting abilities, Blanchett’s Tremaine is more wicked and even frightening than the ladies to come before her. With a single look, or the flick of one of her exotic fans, she manages to send a chill down your spine. Perhaps what makes her so evil, is that she has no real motive for hating her step daughter and trying to keep her down, other than that it gives her pleasure to do so.
James’ turn as Cinderella is delightful, though not much else. Whereas Anna Kendrick’s performance in Into the Woods, or even Drew Barrymore in “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” benefitted from much more modern, complex characterizations, this Cinderella is less spunky. “Have courage. Be kind” she utters throughout the film in memory of her late mother. It’s not a huge problem, however, because James is a luminescent presence and a natural fit in the beautiful blue gown and iconic golden slippers. She also realizes that outright revenge is not the fitting punishment for her evil step family, rather, walking with her head held high, succeeding where they could not, on her way to a throne, leaving them in the dust. The destruction painted across Blanchett's face in her character's final appearance makes it clear that this cut deeper than one might think at a first glance.
Speaking of the gown, the costuming in this film is masterclass; not only does Cinderella’s blue dress turn heads, but so does everything worn by Blanchett, and honestly just about everything else. Sandy Powell, a three-time Oscar winner, truly outdid herself, capturing the magic and spirit of the story in every single outfit worn by an actor. There’s a sense of modernity amongst the period designs, which adds a distinct flair throughout the film. The production design, and even CGI is top notch; it’s clear that a lot of effort went into the making of this film, which could have benefitted the prior adaptations.
Going in with slightly low expectations may explain why I found myself so bewitched by this updated version on the beloved fairy tale, but I’d like to think it’s because Disney stayed true to themselves after stepping outside their comfort zone. They stuck true to their mission statement, take a classic animated story and shoot the live action version, no wonky, out of left field plot updates. Familiar or not, “Cinderella” is filled with magic in every single frame, and you’ll find yourself transported to that iconic happily ever after, just as I did.
Grade: A-
Oscar Chances: Costumes are a lock for a nomination, and if there’s nothing else that manages the same grandeur and beauty Powell was able to create, you bet she’ll be adding a fourth trophy to her mantle. I wouldn’t be shocked if it managed a visual effects nod, and production design isn’t impossible either. The film’s spectacular box office performance only adds to its chances, but what really matters is how Disney will be able to bring it back into voter’s minds after premiering so early in the year.
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