Cinderella - Review

Everybody knows Cinderella's plot, it has been done so many times in so many different ways that it doesn't surprise me they did another one. 

After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, who reduce her to scullery maid. Despite her circumstances, she refuses to despair. An invitation to a palace ball gives Ella hope that she might reunite with the dashing stranger she met in the woods, but her stepmother prevents her from going. Help arrives in the form of a kindly beggar woman who has a magic touch for ordinary things. The woman reveals herself as her godmother and offers her the change to go to the ball. She gets there and observed by everyone but no one knows her real identity. The prince, you met Ella before into the woods, recognizes her and asks her for a dance but they end up walking around the castle and its gardens until the clock tower starts announcing midnight. She runs away to her previous life until the prince, now king, decides to go after her but her spetmother won't let her find that happy ending so easily.

At the end, everybody's happy (except for the cruel stepmother and stepsisters) and they get married. This story has been done a thousand times so don't expect anything different from this one, you'll know the entire movie before it starts. A classic tale done the most realistic way copying the Disney animation film from 1950, including the mices and the bad cat, it really feels like watching a upgraded live-action movie from the original animated feature.

Directed by the great Kenneth Branagh, known from previous films like Hamlet and Thor, he shows us the greatest version ever made from this fairy tale. He has done a great job telling us the charming story where you'll see the suffering of poor Cinder-Ella (get it now?), feel her pain and sorry for her...You desire nothing but seeing her have the happy ending we all know. And we have to thank this for another reason...

...The acting. Everybody in this version does a fenomenal job from the main cast to the minor characters like the King and his servants. But the highlight is the main actress playing as the princess, Lily James. She's not known that much (she's been in the TV show Downton Abbey) but I'm sure we'll get to see more from her in upcoming works. Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother is unbelievable terrific and menacing, just as it has to be, there's no character she cannot do.
I also have to mention the prince (Charming was his name?) who also confirms he was a good choice and the stepsisters, they're as irritating and repulsive and hateful as they have to be, they really nailed it!

But the thing I was impressed most was the cinematography, every shot is beautifuly made mixing perfectly the camera movements and dialogue with the sweet and elegant soundtrack in every scene. I really think there's no scene without that gorgeous music during the entire movie. 
Another good thing that makes all the recipe possible are the costumes, mostly dresses, they look beautiful and fit perfectly with eveyr character wearing them. Special mention to the infamous blue dress of Cinderella, it was difficult to make it even more beautiful but they did.

· What I liked: How everything is put together, from the great acting to the beautiful cinematography, music and costumes. 

· What I didn't like: It's hard to find something wrong in this film but it kinda felt a little long and boring at the beginning...

"Cinderella" will bring you back memories and feel sorry for the poor young girl that will become a princess and, after all her suffering, have the happy ending she deserves. Every aspect joins perfectly from the acting to the beautiful soundtrack that will bring you tears of sadness and joy.

8.0

:: Top Movies 2015 ::

1. The Imitation Game (8.5)
2. Cinderella (8.0)

3. Kingsman: The Secret Service (8.0)

4. Paddington (7.5)