Cinderella (2015)

"Have courage and be kind" becomes such a powerful motto in this film. That and the love story is the central feature of "Cinderella". This is not the first time that Disney has created a live action version of the classic tale. In 1997, ABC adapted the Rodgers and Hammerstein TV musical with a star-studded cast that included the late Whitney Houston. How can you successfully adapt a story that is not just classic and known by heart but a motif? The phrase "Cinderella Story" for example does not need explaining. Director Kenneth Branagh had a daunting task on his hands but being a Shakespearean actor/director, he has adapted classic stories before. He has even adapted comic books for the big screen. From what I can tell, he focused on casting the right actors to sincerely bring these characters to life and then created a look for the film that was glorious to behold. Unlike some directors however, the visual magnificence of the costumes, sets and special effects did not take attention away from the story but instead supported it. As mentioned, this kind of story is very well known so it requires a magical setting. Because Disney made this film, there also are references to the animated 1950 masterpiece.

When I first saw the trailer for "Cinderella", what immediately came to my mind was Branagh's 1993 film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". The use of color and light for both movies is similar. In past reviews, I have made no secret of my disdain for movies that put so much emphasis on the visual that the story is robbed of its importance. "Cinderella" could have been in danger of doing just that. I am not speaking of competition between visual and the verbal because there doesn't have to be competition. If the narrative is sound and if enough attention has been given to its execution on screen, the visual components can support the script and make it even better. The filmmakers did not simply take the Disney animated version or the Charles Perrault version and film it. They created a hybrid story and made other choices until they ended up with their own version. Because they put effort into the story, the other cinematic elements can do their part. While the use of special effects is evident, many of the costumes and sets were brought to life practically. This can help the actors and other filmmakers in telling the story effectively. The transformation of the dress is a great illustration of this. One of Walt Disney's favorite moments of animation was this transformation shot in the animation movie. I think the entire live action adaptation hinged on this shot and so it was given the needed attention and I say: "Mission accomplished". While the transformation is accomplished with computer effects, the gown is very much real. It was designed to behave like the animated dress we have all grown up with. It seems that no expense was spared and the stats concerning the creation of the dress and its copies are amazing. It took even longer to make Cinderella's dress for the final scene interestingly enough. Sandy Powell, the costume designer, received not only an Academy Award nomintation for this movie but also for "Carol" the same year. Cinderella's ball dress is also an example of how the story of the film was made a priority. Before the Fairy Godmother works her magic on the dress, Cinderella desires the final product to be worthy of her mother's approval.

"Maleficent" was quite different from its original tale and that didn't agree with me. "Cinderella" on the other hand stays very much true to our expectations and the changes that were made were not drastic. As mentioned, you can't take an animated script and hope that it works verbatim in live action. The role of the mice is a good example of this. Because this is the fantasy genre however, you can have realistic mice that still behave intelligently. Another slight change is the outward appeal of the "ugly" stepsisters. This is the first time I think where I have seen beautiful stepsisters that are ugly on the inside. There are some scenes from the 1950 film that can easily be included in this version such as the destruction of Cinderella's dress that she made. It is the editing that is the star in both versions for this sequence. The fast pace of cuts create the required drama. The prologue of the animated film is quite short when compared to the back-story told in this film. The characters in the 1950 film are established over the course of a usual morning at the house but a live action adaptation of a fairy tale usually requires more subtext. Thus, we get exposed very well to what Ella's life what like before he mother died. In order to root for Cinderella, we must see and experience the contrast of her young life to her adult one. The acting in the opening scenes plays a big part early on in helping the audience to believe the drama and emotion. This back-story was not rushed and that made a difference for the whole show. Non-Disney versions of the tale have the Prince and Cinderella meet before the ball. It might not have been necessary or rather possible in the animated film due to the difficulty of animating the Prince but in a live action version, it feels required. The audience must accept the love between the Prince and Cinderella and they can't just fall for each other over the course of one night. The filmmakers appear to have followed a love story that is similar to "Aladdin". The Prince hides his identity at first for the sport of it but upon taking a liking to Cinderella, he doesn't want to ruin the moment. The next time they meet, Cinderella is the one who is hiding her true identity. The relationship between the King and the Prince was also vital to the story. The Prince can only be charming if he is honorable to his father. It was vital that the King meet Cinderella at the ball at some point because I believe that was the other thing that could change the King's mind. As a result, the King and Prince part on loving terms. The King is not the enemy of this story but rather he just wants what is best for the kingdom and his son. The King's run in with Cinderella allows him to see what his son sees and approve of his choice. In the animated movie from 1950, Cinderella probably wouldn't have left the ball if she knew that she had fallen in love with the Prince. Why then does Cinderella leave the ball in this version? My guess is that Cinderella believes that the Prince would not love her if he knew she was a servant. Even when they first met on the horses, neither of them was completely honest. Things change for Cinderella when she hears by way of the royal announcement that the Prince loves her despite her flight from the ball. Cinderella may be kind but she is not without integrity so she will not accept her stepmother's offer because it is unkind towards the man she loves. Kindness means not taking advantage of others and sticking true to that ideal takes true courage. It may seem coincidental why the Grand Duke leaves Cinderella's house until the end but it is because doing so creates a better chance for his conspiracy to work. One might wonder why Cinderella will not fight for her freedom like Rapunzel did in "Tangled". This Cinderella has a different kind of girl power in my opinion. She has a loyalty to her family (which includes the house) and she is willing to let go of the past because of it. I'm sure that if she knew who was downstairs that she would try to make contact. The climax of a film adaptation of Cinderella is not about if the Prince and Cinderella will reunite but how. Branagh's version contains a great surprise thankfully. I was happy when Cinderella offers forgiveness to the stepmother. Sometimes mercy can be just as heart wrenching as justice when you don't deserve it. There was only one part of this movie that was flawed and that was the Fairy Godmother scene because it felt rushed. I may however being comparing it too much to its 1950 counterpart so maybe after time, I can overlook this.

Casting played a huge part in avoiding clichés. The best movies it seems casts unknown leads and well-known actors in the supporting roles. Emma Watson was considered as a possible Cinderella but that didn't work out. I am glad for two reasons. She seems a lot more like Belle and had she been cast as Cinderella, she would never have been cast in the live action version of "Beauty and the Beast". Secondly, for a role as big as Cinderella, you almost require an unknown actress. I was extremely impressed by Lily James' performance because she seems to emit kindness and courage so effortlessly. The love story worked because of the chemistry between James and Richard Madden who plays the Prince. I was grateful to see Derek Jacobi as the King. I have seen him in so many great roles such as in Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet" as Claudius. A few years after the release of "Cinderella", Branagh co-directed "Romeo and Juliet" for the stage and in the title roles, he cast James and Madden. Even Jacobi was in the play as Mercutio. Turning the attention back to "Cinderella", Branagh cast a few more actors he has worked with before in the past such as Shakespearean actor Nonso Anozie who plays my favorite character: the Captain. I first saw Anozie in "Ender's Game". Stellan Skarsgard plays the Grand Duke and he was in "Thor". I would like to state my opinion on the casting of the Fairy Godmother because it did not fully meet my expectations. The last time Helena Bonham Carter was on screen using magic with a wand, "fairy" was the last word to come to my mind. She is not a bad actress at all but her take on the Fairy Godmother was quirky and I was hoping for a "Fairy Grandmother" like how she is when she first appears in the movie. Oscar royalty Cate Blanchett on the other hand gave us a great interpretation of the wicked stepmother. I didn't recognize Hayley Atwell when I saw "Cinderella" for the first time and she was superb in her role. Sometimes a musical score needs to be catchy and noticable while you watch the movie but for this film, it supported the story so well that you didn't take any note of it. That can be equally powerful. Patrick Doyle has scored for Branagh before on "Thor" and "Hamlet" by the way. Sandy Powell not only earned her 11th Oscar nomination for her work on the costumes in this movie but also her 12th for another movie in the same year (she even has three wins).

The original director of "Cinderella" wanted a dark version of the tale and this lead Disney to ask Branagh to take over. He ended up with a film that pays homage but also takes on an identity of its own with a great cast, sincerely-told love story, powerful theme and a look that is marvelous without overshadowing the story. Cinderella is one of the greatest fantasy stories ever told and as a result, it needed to look amazing. "Cinderella" remains true to the feeling of the animated film that is still part of the subconscious of society.

4.5 Stars