Cinderella (2015) Review

"Have courage and be kind." 

In a kingdom where residents look like anthropomorphised quality street wrappers, there lives a girl who can’t seem to keep herself clean and suffers harrowing saw-style abuse. OK, so maybe we’ve over-dramatized it a little, but in case you haven’t guessed it already (and the title didn’t give it away), we’re talking about Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 Disney live-action reboot, Cinderella.

In case you’re not familiar with the plot of Cinderella, it is essentially a film about tragedy and love. The movie follows the titular character (Lily James) as her loving mother (Hayley Atwell) dies, which prompts her father (Ben Chaplin) to re-marry, to the overbearing Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), who brings along her two daughters, Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera). Unfortunately, her father falls ill and dies on a voyage, leaving Ella with her cruel ‘family’. But fate is kind, and she soon meets Kit, a.k.a. The Prince (Richard Madden) and adventures ensue, with a little help from her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).

Needless to say, the film’s casting is impeccable, and Disney has found a true princess in Lily James, who sheds her Downton dress for an iconic and impressive ball gown, complete with impractical footwear. James illuminates the screen with her warmth and energy, emulating the kind and courageous darling she is portraying, whilst also proving to have sparkling chemistry with Richard Madden’s Prince Kit.

Not one to shy away from kooky characters, Helena Bonham Carter assumes the role of The Fairy Godmother, adding an extra sprinkle of glitter and comedy to a film that could have been a little too sickening, if it didn’t seem to be rather self-mocking, with injections of humour and loveable bizarreness (the Lizard footmen, in particular, as well as the whole carriage creation, come to mind). Also worth noting is Cate Blanchett, who tackles Lady Tremaine with vigour, whilst also trying to add dimension to a character whose raison d'être is cruelty and bad parentage.

Cinderella certainly doesn’t overlook the importance of aesthetic, and each carefully crafted costume is a delight to behold, whilst gorgeous colours and patterns unite with the heavily romanticized movie to give a sense of true magic and dreams, without being too sickly sweet. Everything is more grandiose and elaborate, from the set design to the hair and make-up, with the step-sisters, Anastasia and Drisella looking every inch excessive and striking. Patrick Doyle is also on hand to imagine an enchanting soundtrack that is every bit as regal as you'd expect, and featuring some bewitching vocals from James and company. 

Considering the plot of Cinderella is incredibly weak, Branagh & Weitz perform admirably in their quest to flesh out the rather dull tale, making monumental improvements on the 1950 animated classic, which benefits greatly from the live-action treatment. Whilst Cinderella may not be revolutionary by any means, as the second notable live-action Disney reboot of recent years (behind 2014’s Maleficent), it proves that there is substance and significance in Disney’s endeavour, whilst also providing a dazzling, family adventure with a moral message that all can enjoy.

Overall, Cinderella is liable to sweep you off your feet, provided you enjoy/can overlook the hazy romanticism that is intrinsic to its story.