Cinderella (Live-Action)

[Old Fish Tale]

Hi Duster, I'm very glad that you hugely enjoyed the new Cinderella but I thought it was movie that tried to be a progressive update but something went wrong during the making of the film especially when you got a talented man like Kenneth Baranagh involved.

Are you sure you aren't writing about 'Maleficent'?

I don't remember exactly where I read it but there was an article during the film's production that it was going to be a straight up remake of Cinderella without any changes which is what Brosh's script was going to be but Chris Weitz came in and changed a good amount of things which, in my opinion, resulted in the film feeling like two different Cinderella movies clashing with one another that was a bit dull in places with the exception of the Fairy Godmother and the entire ball sequence from beginning to end.

Chris was hired to rewrite Aline's script before Mark abandoned the film. Mark's version of the film would have been darker. It wasn't a straight up remake.

But the mice wanted her attention and she wasn't even aware of them, and she didn't even try at any moment to tell her animal friends to help her.

You should rewatch this scene. And keep in mind she was locked in the attic for days in this film.

[Musical Master]

Hi Duster, I'm very glad that you hugely enjoyed the new Cinderella but I thought it was movie that tried to be a progressive update but something went wrong during the making of the film especially when you got a talented man like Kenneth Baranagh involved.

Are you sure you aren't writing about 'Maleficent'?

I don't remember exactly where I read it but there was an article during the film's production that it was going to be a straight up remake of Cinderella without any changes which is what Brosh's script was going to be but Chris Weitz came in and changed a good amount of things which, in my opinion, resulted in the film feeling like two different Cinderella movies clashing with one another that was a bit dull in places with the exception of the Fairy Godmother and the entire ball sequence from beginning to end.

Chris was hired to rewrite Aline's script before Mark abandoned the film. Mark's version of the film would have been darker. It wasn't a straight up remake.

But the mice wanted her attention and she wasn't even aware of them, and she didn't even try at any moment to tell her animal friends to help her.

You should rewatch this scene. And keep in mind she was locked in the attic for days in this film.

1. No, at least with Maleficent it knew what it wanted to be, the new Cinderella to me is confused and sort of all over the map on what it really wants.

2. Oh okay, thanks for clearing that up, shockingly it would've been interesting to read what that version was going to be. But it's still a clashing mess to me.

3. I was talking about the new Cinderella, not the animated one which I KNEW that she got the mice's attention of Lady Tremaine locking her in when suddenly she was to late to stop her. So during those days she never once asked the mice for help or told them how to get her out in the new film? Another reason why this new Cinderella offends me in a bad way, they introduce the fact that Ella learns from books but in the end they DON'T use that element to an advantage? Wow...just....wow....

This film is good on some aspects, but good grief is this script a bigger mess than Maleficent was, and I actually LIKE that film. I wanted to like this film but my expectations were a bit to high and I can't get over just how disappointed I am.

[bradhig]

Hi Duster, I'm very glad that you hugely enjoyed the new Cinderella but I thought it was movie that tried to be a progressive update but something went wrong during the making of the film especially when you got a talented man like Kenneth Baranagh involved.

Are you sure you aren't writing about 'Maleficent'?

I don't remember exactly where I read it but there was an article during the film's production that it was going to be a straight up remake of Cinderella without any changes which is what Brosh's script was going to be but Chris Weitz came in and changed a good amount of things which, in my opinion, resulted in the film feeling like two different Cinderella movies clashing with one another that was a bit dull in places with the exception of the Fairy Godmother and the entire ball sequence from beginning to end.

Chris was hired to rewrite Aline's script before Mark abandoned the film. Mark's version of the film would have been darker. It wasn't a straight up remake.

But the mice wanted her attention and she wasn't even aware of them, and she didn't even try at any moment to tell her animal friends to help her.

You should rewatch this scene. And keep in mind she was locked in the attic for days in this film.

Locked up for days? How come she didn't starve?

I saw the moive last week and liked it.

[bruno_wbt]

I saw the movie yesterday and I loved every part of it! They did a really good job and I'm glad they didn't change too many things from the original Disney classic.


Here's the music video for the Spanish version of "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT2-yXOmrBE

[tsom]

To address several points brought up:

1. Ella was locked up in the tower for days. Clearly, she starved. I'm sure Lady Tremaine didn't feed her because she didn't care if she lived or not. She pretty much told the Grand Duke this during their meeting. Therefore, Ella's happy thoughts pretty much kept her alive. Also, it could be assumed that the mice shared their cheese with her.

2. Ella couldn't do anything because she was locked in the tower. If you were locked in the tower, how would you get out? You can't jump out the window because you'd be killing yourself. Also, trying to knock the door down would be pointless if you have nothing to knock it down with.

3. Ella's window faced the back of the house, so she didn't see who was visiting, nor did she care. For all she knew, it could've been one of Lady Tremaine's friends. Furthermore, Ella couldn't yell out her window for help. Their manor was the only house in that area for miles. Who would hear her?

4. I don't think it was stupid of Ella for refusing Lady Tremaine's offer. First, it showed her goodness by not lying. Second, it gave her a chance to stand up to her stepmother. Third, she knew Lady Tremaine would've controlled everything if she got her own way. Tremaine was able to control Ella's father and the household, so she could've controlled the palace as well.

5. Duster, I'm curious which scene you felt should've stayed in the film from the novelization?

6. I think it was love at first sight between Ella and Kit. The way they looked at each other was just romantic. I think Lily James and Richard Madden had plenty of chemistry.

7. When Ella explained why she was still living at the manor, I wish she also said something like "Also, I'm a woman. I don't have many choices in this world. Where else would I go?" I think this would make audiences who negatively critic the Cinderella story realize how hard it was for her to leave her situation. Escaping isn't easy.

8. The more I see it, the more I don't mind the dad. The only place I was disappointed in his acting the first time I saw the film was when he told Ella he would be remarrying. Now, I don't mind it at all. He was just cheery and hopeful about the prospect of marriage and a second chance at happiness.

I've seen the movie five times now (I saw it last night at El Capitan. Such an extraordinary experience), and it is such a beautiful film. No snark, no modern sensibilities, and not afraid to be sweet. I leave the theater each time happy and thinking all is great in the world. Have courage and be kind is a great lesson to always remember.

[Disney Duster]

I agree…. At first I thought she was quite passive too, but then I remembered, Cinderella didn't see the duke arrive at her house (was it said that they would pass each house? can't remember it anymore). So if she would have made a scene when her stepmother locked her in, the chance of getting out would have been even smaller...

Wait, are you talking about the 1950 or 2015 Cinderella? But I think in the 2015 Cinderella she could have figured out the king's men were there for her.

The song Cinderella and her mother sing and the transformation music was gorgeous.

It's a shame it wasn't included on the soundtrack.

Did anyone listen to the entire soundtrack to know the "Lavender's Blue" and Drizella's song weren't in some part on it? Tsom?

There really wasn't a weak link in the whole cast. Everyone gave an extremely balanced performance, which is vital in these films. I felt the same way when I saw 'Alice in Wonderland' and that's one of the reasons I still adore it.

I'm one of the few who actually liked 2010's Alice in Wonderland, but I thought the girl who played Alice was pretty bad...sorry...

And the geese too! Suspension of disbelief...

Yep. But in the novelizations she makes friends with different mice at the beginning and it is their offspring, I think, Gus and Jacqueline and their kids, who Ella has as friends during the time the main story takes place. Maybe they should have kept that.

I said it because, when I read the novelization, I wasn't pleased with some lines. But, when I saw the film, they were brilliantly delivered or wisely excluded. In that scene, you could tell the father was very taken with his wife-to-be. He was floating on air! But, as you noticed, that feeling quickly changed. Hello, big spender! And he said she was "trying at times" too. So, I guess he simply got to know her better. But I agree with you: I think she initially wanted them to work as a family. But she realized he loved his daughter and his deceased wife more than he would ever love her. Poor thing! The next scene was really sad.

Oh I see. And I agree.

No. The stepmother did it to get Ella out of the room and to shut Drizella up. She didn't want to humiliate her daughter in front of her stepdaughter.

Hm. Maybe.

What? They completely enchanted one another. Wasn't that love at first sight?

Maybe my idea of love at first sight is more like staring at each other very fondly and barely getting out words. And lots of very loving, charmed words. I don't know.

It was the way he phrased the question. "Miss, what do they call you?" instead of "Miss, what's your name?".

Yea. But she could have chosen to instead reveal her real name.

Indeed! But the stepfamily was exiled and I bet Ella visited her house whenever she missed it.

In the larger novelization, it shows Cinderella and the Prince do take care of the house after the wedding. I prefer how the film ended though.

I believe we did. Weren't they expelled from the coach when the pumpkin's skin and vines reappeared? We need to see that masterful sequence again! I wonder if the stepmother noticed the greenhouse had vanished...

The second time I saw the film I carefully watched for glass coming off the pumpkin. Instead the glass becomes the orange skin. But yes, I wonder how the destroyed greenhouse could be explained to her stepfamily!

She should have said it for each transformation and spell, then it would have been perfect!

Yes!

Yay!

And the Fairy Godmother casting a spell so Cinderella’s family won’t recognize her is genius!

I loved it too!

Yay!

Like this? It was lovely!

I thought of that painting the first time I watched it! It's not really that much like it though.

I guess, after the wedding, the stepmother was hoping to control Ella in the same way the grand duke was hoping to control Christopher.

Maybe that would work. And how do you know the Prince's real name is Christopher?

Well, Ella didn't know Christopher was seeking the mysterious princess out (she only knew the mysterious princess was to present herself at the palace). And the fairy godmother said "Ella didn't know he was downstairs".

I think seeing the king's men would have given the idea to Cinderella that her singing to them could get her out. That is, if she could see the king's men, which I will address further below in this post.

Cinderella being a commoner was never a problem for Kit, so I don’t think Cinderella revealing that she was just a commoner at the end did anything for the film.

But, before Ella and Christopher discussed his painting, he said he mistook her for "a good, honest country girl" and she didn't correct him. When he told her he was the prince, she knew everything would change between them if she told him who she really was too. She didn't want that to spoil the best night of her life.

You're very right. I changed my review to say that even though Kit didn't care Cinderella was a commoner, he still had to know who she was! So her telling him is perfectly necessary and good for the film.

The grand duke was preventing Christopher's happiness. He deliberately disobeyed him. I think the exile was more than fair.

Yea maybe.

But we still got a version of those.

I suppose...but I wanted moments that revealed/created super deep love...I think that would have made it a perfect masterpiece, if it also had Cinderella save herself. More than by her kindness to the mice, anyway.

Hi Duster, I'm very glad that you hugely enjoyed the new Cinderella but I thought it was movie that tried to be a progressive update but something went wrong during the making of the film especially when you got a talented man like Kenneth Baranagh involved. I don't remember exactly where I read it but there was an article during the film's production that it was going to be a straight up remake of Cinderella without any changes which is what Brosh's script was going to be but Chris Weitz came in and changed a good amount of things which, in my opinion, resulted in the film feeling like two different Cinderella movies clashing with one another that was a bit dull in places with the exception of the Fairy Godmother and the entire ball sequence from beginning to end.

Aline Brosh McKenna's script was going to have an "evil plot" of an arranged marriage for the prince that Cinderella foils. By the way, I have to admit some parts of the film can be thought of as dull. It's not completely lively all the way through like, say, Chicago.

The big thing that I forgot to mention was that I felt that the moral was hitting our heads too much, in the original, she does it and it's not told to us several times. Plus the dress tearing scene was not as dramatic and sad as I wished it was, due to the fact that it was not violently torn to shreds like the animated film but little things were slightly ripped. I'm sorry that bugged the heck out of me while watching it.

The "have courage and be kind" was brought up a little too much, I admit. But I feel to do the dress-ripping scene just like the animated film's would not have worked as well in this live-action version. And Cinderella's crying after it is totally logical and emotional enough. I am unsure about the mice helping Cinderella get saved part you are mad at. I have expained how I feel about that in other places in here. But I think Cinderella was better than Maleficent.

1. Ella was locked up in the tower for days. Clearly, she starved. I'm sure Lady Tremaine didn't feed her because she didn't care if she lived or not. She pretty much told the Grand Duke this during their meeting. Therefore, Ella's happy thoughts pretty much kept her alive. Also, it could be assumed that the mice shared their cheese with her.

Woah, I completely disagree! I think the stepmother was just short of murdering her stepdaughter! I'm sure she opened the door to give her food, then locked it again. And she had to be alive enough for the duke to "do" with her what he would. If Cinderella was starving, then I think it would be almost completely unacceptable for her to merely make herself happy in the attic. She would need to try as much as she could to get out. If she had candles, I would have her burn the wooden door open.

3. Ella's window faced the back of the house, so she didn't see who was visiting, nor did she care. For all she knew, it could've been one of Lady Tremaine's friends. Furthermore, Ella couldn't yell out her window for help. Their manor was the only house in that area for miles. Who would hear her?

I thought Ella could see the men through her window. If not, I feel the film should have been changed so it was so that she could see them, figure that even if they weren't looking for her, they could get her out of the tower by singing/calling to them.

4. I don't think it was stupid of Ella for refusing Lady Tremaine's offer. First, it showed her goodness by not lying. Second, it gave her a chance to stand up to her stepmother. Third, she knew Lady Tremaine would've controlled everything if she got her own way. Tremaine was able to control Ella's father and the household, so she could've controlled the palace as well.

Good points. However I still think what I think on the matter. Sorry. You still have good points, I just still think she could have done whatever she wanted as queen.

5. Duster, I'm curious which scene you felt should've stayed in the film from the novelization?

The part where Cinderella and the Prince talk and Cinderella brings up her mother's being dead too and perhaps her and Kit's mother knew each other in heaven and she thinks heaven invites everyone. Kit could be touched by her unique view there and love her more for that. Oh, and also how the both think war is terrible, in the gallery.

7. When Ella explained why she was still living at the manor, I wish she also said something like "Also, I'm a woman. I don't have many choices in this world. Where else would I go?" I think this would make audiences who negatively critic the Cinderella story realize how hard it was for her to leave her situation. Escaping isn't easy.

I would simply have included the scene deleted from the script of Lady Tremaine saying, "After all I've done-feeding you, clothing you, resisting every impulse to turn you out of doors..."

8. The more I see it, the more I don't mind the dad. The only place I was disappointed in his acting the first time I saw the film was when he told Ella he would be remarrying. Now, I don't mind it at all. He was just cheery and hopeful about the prospect of marriage and a second chance at happiness.

Yea.

I've seen the movie five times now (I saw it last night at El Capitan. Such an extraordinary experience), and it is such a beautiful film. No snark, no modern sensibilities, and not afraid to be sweet. I leave the theater each time happy and thinking all is great in the world. Have courage and be kind is a great lesson to always remember.

Wow, I plan on seeing it four times but only my third time this Wednesday! Wow! But anyway, yay!

[bradhig]

She was locked up for days then she must have been wearing one smelly dress.

[Escapay]

It's a shame it wasn't included on the soundtrack.

Did anyone listen to the entire soundtrack to know the "Lavender's Blue" and Drizella's song weren't in some part on it? Tsom?

I've listened to the soundtrack on a daily basis for nigh on two weeks now. "Lavender's Blue" can be found in portions of the score, but none of the vocal versions used in the film are included. For what it's worth, "Sing, Sweet Nightingale" isn't included either, which makes sense as she sings it off-handedly while collecting eggs. Drizella's song, "It Was A Lover And His Lass," is from Shakespeare's As You Like It, although the melody was composed by Patrick Doyle. It's not on the soundtrack either.

I wouldn't mind a properly recorded version of "Lavender's Blue" (by either Hayley Atwell or Lily James) with the full set of lyrics, but given that its usage in the film appears to be very much "in the moment" rather than a pre-recorded sync, I like that we get the opportunity to hear the (vocal version of the) song only within the context of the film. Although I'm sure someone will rip the audio when the Blu-Ray becomes available, if they haven't done so already from a pirated copy.

I haven't kept up with this thread very much, but have to say that I really enjoyed the film. Saw it twice during its opening weekend, and plan on going back again while it's still in theatres. There's so much that this film just gets right; it makes for an excellent companion to the 1950 animated film, and supercedes it in some ways as well.

Albert

[Disney Duster]

I am so, so, so glad to hear you enjoyed the film Albert, being one of the big wigs, and since I didn't think you would like it near as much as you do (you said you weren't too excited for it, once). So, how did you feel specifically about Lily James in it?

supercedes it in some ways as well.

Um, maybe, in some people's opinions. Gotta admit, it does supercede it in the star of the film-to-mice ratio

[tsom]

Since I've seen the film multiple times, I can confirm that Ella's window faced the back of the house, so she couldn't see who was there. Only the bluebirds saw the guards approaching, then they told the mice. Ella heard visitors downstairs, but there was no way she could've known that the king's men were visiting. She had no idea that a proclamation was sent out that every maiden should try on the slipper. All she knew was that the girl with glass slippers should present herself to the king.

As for Lady Tremaine, I really do think she wanted Ella dead. The goal was not to find the girl with the glass slippers, that way Kit could marry Princess Chelina, Lady Tremaine could become a countess (I'm not sure why she chose this title. She could've gone bigger and require to become a duchess, but maybe I'm just greedy), and Anastasia and Drisella marry wealthy noblemen. For Lady Tremaine, Ella was better off dead than alive.

Oh, and we assume the prince's real name is Christopher because Kit is a nickname for Christopher.

[Disney Duster]

Just got back from my third time seeing it. The more I see it, the more I think it is a masterpiece. I found the scene with Ella's father talking about re-marrying almost completely fine now, and pretty much the rest of my problems with the film fine. The love between Cinderella and Kit felt more real to me by the end this time. I just felt we needed to also see Kit's sensitivity and Cinderella also love him for that, or something more of their love. And this time I noticed the score is so great all the way through. It seems Lady Tremaine did drop the cookies on purpose so Ella would leave the room and not witness her daughter's embarassment, like OldFishTale said. It also seems Cinderella's attic window is facing the back of the house. I thought I would change it so Cinderella can see the men and shout to them to save her (she doesn't need to know they are there searching for the owner of the slipper, she just needed their help to get out of the attic), but maybe a title character getting saved by someone else can still be a masterpiece.

I still don't think Lady Tremaine starved Cinderella, which would kill her. I think each day she opened the door to give her food, then locked it again.

I also think Kit is the prince's real name, not Christopher, but I don't think any of us can know for sure. I wish Disney would reveal what is the case. Maybe on the home video release?

[tsom]

I agree that the more I see it, the more I love it. It's such a beautiful film.

I guess we'll just have to disagree about Lady Tremaine starving Ella. I just don't see Lady Tremaine bringing food to the girl she hates so much. For Lady Tremaine's plan with the Grand Duke to come to fruition, Ella had to be out of the picture completely, so for Lady Tremaine, Ella was better off dead.

Kit cannot be the prince's real name. He even said it's a name his father calls him when he's not peeved. If Ella really didn't know the name of her ruler was Kit, then she was incredibly stupid. That's like me not knowing President Obama's name. I really think it's Christopher but Kit was a nickname his father used. Imagine if Prince William met a girl in the woods. If he told her his name was William and he lived in the palace, then the girl would put two and two together and figure he was the prince. If he said his name was Billy (a nickname for William), the girl wouldn't really think he was a prince.

[Disney Duster]

Well Lady Tremaine said to the Grand Duke "do with her what you will" so I thought she must at least keep her alive long enough for that. But aside from that, yea, I just don't think she would murder someone. I guess like you said we will have to agree to disagree.

Great point about Kit. I can believe not everyone in the kingdom, especially commoners, not knowing the prince's name, but you have such a great point I agree you have a good chance of being right.

I forgot to add, I never noticed it before the novelizations talked about it (and from them, looked for it in the film on my third time seeing the film and I saw it), but Lady Tremaine destroys the butterfly toy Ella's father gave her. That's f***ing messed up. What a b***. That to me is almost more of a terrible thing than breaking the slipper. That gift was one of the most special things because her father gave it to her.

[Old Fish Tale]

I forgot to add, I never noticed it before the novelizations talked about it, but Lady Tremaine destroys the butterfly toy Ella's father gave her.

That's in the film too. Right before the stepmother said "Are you looking for this?", Ella was holding the destroyed butterfly.

And did you pay attention to the glass shards during the coach-to-pumpkin transformation sequence this time?

[DisneyFan09]

Sorry for being off-topic, but it seems as you and I have the same taste, Old Fish Tale. Shall we be friends? Hahaha.

[Old Fish Tale]

Hehehe! Why are you saying that?

[DisneyFan09]

Just for fun, though, haha! People with same taste often becomes friends

[Disney Duster]

I forgot to add, I never noticed it before the novelizations talked about it, but Lady Tremaine destroys the butterfly toy Ella's father gave her.

That's in the film too. Right before the stepmother said "Are you looking for this?", Ella was holding the destroyed butterfly.

And did you pay attention to the glass shards during the coach-to-pumpkin transformation sequence this time?

I meant to say that this time, because the novelizations talked about it, I looked for and saw the destroyed butterfly toy this time. Also this time I think I did see glass shards come off the pumpkin. I think, though, I will re-watch and even slow-motion the sequence when it comes to home video just to be absolutely certain, haha.

[Old Fish Tale]

Just for fun, though, haha! People with same taste often becomes friends

I know why you're saying that: 'The Snow Queen' (I'm still calling it that) and its short. And of course we can be friends!

Also this time I think I did see glass shards come off the pumpkin. I think, though, I will re-watch and even slow-motion the sequence when it comes to home video just to be absolutely certain, haha.

I'm very happy to read that! So, they were more careful than we thought.

[DisneyFan09]

I know why you're saying that: 'The Snow Queen' (I'm still calling it that) and its short. And of course we can be friends!

That's right, that's why I said it. Aaaw, thanks

I thought "Frozen" made more sense as a title than "Tangled" did. It was a metaphor for the theme of the movie. I don't detest these adjective-titles, but of course it's a pity that Disney doesn't trust it's audience enough to give them the original titles.