"The book is a film that takes place in the mind of the reader." ~ Paulo Coelho

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Older vs. Newer Review: Cinderella

Hello!
Today, February 26th, is National Fairy Tale Day! And, it is still February, so Cordy's Lovely Blog Party is still in full swing!
If you have read this blog for awhile, you know how I am with doing things "in the spirit of" an event, so I have found the perfect thing to celebrate both! (Hint: look at the button or the title of this post)

Also, when I started this blog, one of the big ideas that I had that I was going to do a lot was my Older vs. Newer reviews. My current streak is one a year, so let's remedy that.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


Cinderella (1951):
Based on: The story by the brothers Grimm, and Cinderella - by Charles Perrault.
(Do I really have to put the plot? I think pretty much everyone knows it.)
After a girl's father dies, she has to be a servant to her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. The king announces that there will be a royal ball, and at that ball his son, the prince, will choose a bride. Even though everyone is invited, the girl's stepmother, Lady Tremaine, won't let her go. The girl, Cinderella, receives help from a place that she never would have looked for it.
Genre(s): Fantasy, Family, Romance, Animated.
Length: approx. 74 minutes.
Costumes: 7. My sisters and I joke about how we always thought that Cinderella's head band were earmuffs.
Script: 8, there is not a lot of talking, but what is there it is all good.
Crew:
Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, & Wilfred Jackson.
Written by: Ken Anderson, Perce Pearce, Homer Brightman, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, & Ted Sears.
Starring the voices of:
Ilene Woods as Cinderella.
Eleanor Audley as Lady Tremaine.
Verna Felton as Fairy Godmother.
Lucille Bliss as Anastasia Tremaine.
Rhoda Williams as Drizella Tremaine.
Jimmy McDonald as Jaq and Gus.
Luis van Rooten as The King and the Grand Duke.
William Phipps as Prince Charming.
Mike Douglas as Prince Charming (singing).
June Foray as Lucifer (just cat noises).
Pinto Colvig as Bruno (just dog noises).
Betty Lou Gerson as the Narrator.
Animation: 9, this is just so classic! I love it! They say that it is in this movie was Walt Disney's favorite piece of animation. If you have seen it, you know which part I'm talking about.
Don't tell me that you didn't love this.
Music: 9! The song "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is one of my favorite Disney songs.
Music by: Oliver Wallace & Paul J. Smith.
Quotes: 8, "Well, there's one thing. They can't order me to stop dreaming."
Storyline: 9, there is some smoking, but I think that's it!
Good For: All Disney fans!
Overall Score: 8.5!
Bonus thoughts: Considering what it is, if I saw it for the first time now I don't think I would really like it, but it is so nostalgic for me, I love it!


VS.


Cinderella (2015):
Based on: The story by the brothers Grimm, Cinderella - by Charles Perrault, and the 1950 version.
"Once upon a time, there was a girl named Ella."
This girl named Ella lives in a happy world. After tragedy, her father marries again and she has a cruel stepmother and stepsisters. More tragedy strikes, but Ella fights on, looking for good. One day, she meets a young man who is unlike any other, and only wishes to see him again. She hopes to do that at the royal ball, but her stepmother won't allow her to go. Ella learns to always believe, but will it be enough?
'"I believe in everything."
"Then I believe in everything, too."'
Genre(s): Romance, Fantasy, Family.
Length: approx. 105 minutes.
Costumes: 10! Costumes don't often get a full rating here, but these are outstanding!
Costumes by: Sandy Powell.
My favorite: Everyone ever!!
Script: 10, there is some name calling, but it is shown as bad.
"Names have power, like magic spells."
Crew:
Directed by: Kenneth Brannagh.
Written by: Chris Weitz.
"Kindness is free, love is free."
Starring:
Lily James as Cinderella. "Mystery princess? What a charming notion."
Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine. "My story would appear to be ended."
Richard Madden as Prince Kit.
Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother.
Nonso Anozie as the Captain.
Stellan Skarsgård as the Grand Duke.
Holliday Grainger as Anastasia.
"Such dear, affectionate girls."
Sophie McShera as Drisella.
Derek Jacobi as the King.
Ben Chaplin as Ella's father.
Hayley Atwell as Ella's mother.
Eloise Webb as a young Ella.
Jana Perez as Princess Celina of Zaragosa.
Alex Macqueen as the Royal Crier.
Rob Brydon as Master Phineus.
Cinematography: 10! It is so beautiful! I'm not a fan of CGI, but it is all amazing here.
Cinematography by: Haris Zambarloukos.
Music: 10!! Oh. My. Word. This music is so amazing! I love the theme of "Lavender's Blue".
Music by: Patrick Doyle.
Quotes: 10!
'"Why are you crying?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"Nothing...nothing...what is a bowl of milk? Nothing, but kindness makes it everything."'

Storyline: 10!!
Good For: All Disney fans, all fairytale lovers.
'"Oh, I do love a happy ending, don't you?"
"They are quite my favorite kind."'
Overall Score: 10!
Bonus thoughts: This movie is so beautiful. Very few movies have such a huge effect on my life.
"Have courage and be kind."


Character comparison:

Cinderella:
1950: Do you know what is amazing? I never really liked her, but the 2015 has made me appreciate her more!
2015: Lily James does such a perfect job, no one else could have been better.


Prince Charming/Kit:
1950: We never hear a name, and this guy really has no personality.
2015: Ahhh!!! Richard Madden does such a great job! The best character ever. No buts about it.


Lady Tremaine:
1950: So evil, and that works in the 1950 version.
2015: Cate Blanchett doesn't usually play the villain, but she is amazing at it. I love the back story!


Anastasia and Drizella:
1950: Is is weird that I always liked Anastasia better? I don't know. Both are pretty cruel.
2015: Holliday Granger and Sophie McShea are two of my favorites. They were perfect for these roles.


Fairy Godmother:
1950: The classic! Whenever someone says "Fairy Godmother" this is who you picture!
2015: I am so used to seeing Helena Bonham Carter as the villain, that I was really surprised that she was cast in this part! She does a good job, though. The only thing I would remove is all the dark eye make-up. It's just a little weird.


The King:
1950: My sister tells me that he was her favorite character, which, I think, is relatable for a lot of kids.
2015: Yes!! I love Derek Jacobi as the king! So wise.


The Grand Duke:
1950: He is very funny! When I was little he was always my favorite.
2015: They completely changed his character, but I love it! Stellan Skarsgård does such a good job.


Comparing Outfits:

Well, it is only one outfit, but we have to have pictures of the classic dresses!
1950: This, this is so pretty! I loved it when I was really young (up to 6) then when I got a little older I didn't (7-13), but I don't know why! I love this!!
2015: That skirt has 12 layers. Wow! Blue is my favorite color ever, so to me this is so gorgeous!


The winner: Based on the scores, the newer one should win, but I can't choose. Tell me what you think!


Spoiler Alert! From here on there will be spoilers, but I don't know who hasn't seen this...

For the blogathon:

Cinderella and the Prince (1950):
You know, I am really not a big fan of the "love at first sight" trope. And I remember from an early age being exasperated by this. If we ignore that, then it is very sweet. The main point is that no matter where you come from, you are beautiful and you can be loved. I do love all of the animation here!


Ella and Kit (2015):
Ah!! This just makes me so, so, so, so, so happy!! Disney took what I didn't like about the original, and fixed it. I just love this so much I can't think to type anything out.
I love:
How Kit says:
"She isn't just a pretty girl! I mean, she is a pretty girl, but there is so much more."
That during the ballroom scene his eyes never leave her face.
The secret garden.
That she gives up her happiness to save him.
When Kit says: "I just have to see her again."


Also, this goes with my current header, because Ella and Kit are the bottom center!
I am so sorry that this is so scattered. Please tell me what you think!

Thanks for reading! And be sure to check out Cordy's Lovely Blog Party!

MovieCritic

14 comments:

  1. I love both movies so I can’t decide on a favorite 😊

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  2. I like the 1950, but I love the 2015. The end, full stop.

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  3. I cannot agree with you more, MC!! 2015 was the perfect flesh-out of the classic tale :)

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    1. Catherine, I'm glad that we're on the same track! It is a perfect remake!

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  4. I have seen both and they're okay to me though I don't love either version but I don't really like the cinderalla story anyway

    the live action version does have a great cast and the two leads are not so bad to look at and prince charming has more story and more personality though I hate that they (ella and kit) both lost a parent - I just don't see any reason for the prince to lose a parent except to make him more human or likable or something - this little tidbit certainly don't do anything for the story. the visual is quite a feast especially the live action. I must admit, I do fancy those dresses on ella.

    if I would to choose, I guess I would choose the live action only because ella and kit have more personality.

    have a lovely day.

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    Replies
    1. Hey, lissa! I can totally relate, I never was a fan of the story of Cinderella either! Though I do love the 2015 version, it's still not my favorite fairytale, but I'm liking it better than I used to.

      That's definitely true! They picked the perfect people. Those parts are are very sad, and are the parts where I really cry! So I can understand what you are talking about. Though, it does make more sense why they would spend so much attention on finding the "mystery princess" when it was what the king really wanted, you know? Agreed, the visuals are such a treat!

      Yes, that is a good reason, and one I agree with!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  5. I adore both of these, though I think you already know that. Cinderella just is, and always will be, my favorite fairy tale/princess/story/Disney movie (tied with Tangled, of course ;). Just so good!!

    I love all the mentions about the character changes. It's so true, and they did a great job. Except the grand duke. I mean, I don't mind that they changed him, but I always liked the animated one; he was funny. Either way, they really upped the character game in the live-action one, which I loved. And it was just so well-cast!

    I could gush about both of these movies forever. But I'll stop now. GREAT REVIEW! :D

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    1. Yes!! Agreed, agreed! I could watch it over and over again, taking in all the loveliness. I always say that I like BatB better, but I'm not sure. Cinderella and Tangled are good ones to have as favorites! :)

      Yes, the grand duke was the perfect comedic side character in the animated version, but he was the perfect surprise villain in the live-action! I love how they both are the same story, but that they didn't just copy it exactly. Both are so different, but also the same!

      Aw, thank you!!! :D I'd love to gush about these movies forever, too! If you ever want to, you know where to find me!

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  6. Okay, so first of all I want a dress like 2015 Cinderella. Now I need an ocassion to wear it. I like both versions. I always liked Anastasia better, too. I wonder why.

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    1. Right? That is the only problem, once you have a dress you need a reason to wear it! Both are so nostalgic. Maybe she seemed nicer? I don't know.

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  7. Exactly. But still I'm good at finding ocassions.
    Yeah, maybe. They're both mean but maybe Anastasia seemed less mean?

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    Replies
    1. Perfect, now you just need the dress!
      One version of Cinderella that I've seen is called Ever After, and in that one the Anastasia character doesn't have to work, but her sister and mother don't treat her the best, so she is nice to the Cinderella character. I think that is the reason why she seems nicer to me. Yes, as you said she is less mean.

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To comment, or not to comment? That is the question. Whatever you decide, I would love to hear from you!! I am always open to suggestions, advice, and any other comments! Even if you don't agree with me, I would love to hear from you as long as you keep the comment respectful and on subject. And, please, no swearing. I love comments on old posts!!
My computer won't let me leave comments, so it might take a few days, but I will reply!

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, where you stop your story." -Orson Welles