Disney’s Cinderella Is Full Of Kindness, Courage And Magic

Do you believe in fairy tales? I do, and the new live-action Cinderella has renewed my love of fairy tales, magic and pure family enjoyment. For princess, princesses and dreamers of all ages, the new Disney Cinderella 2015 is a must see.

I admit. I had reservations about a new Disney Cinderella 2015 movie. Sure each of the last fairytale remakes have been superb (one word – Maleficent), but to remake Cinderella? Gasp, what if they changed the story? What if they couldn’t capture the magic? I was hesitant. But my six year old, she was ecstatic. 

We were invited to a special screening of Cinderella, and before the movie my girls got their princess glam on at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (so cute, right?!). 

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, so I won’t bother with a plot summary for this movie other than to tell you that the basic plot stays true to the classic Disney cartoon that we all know and love. What has been updated in the live-action version of Disney’s Cinderella is character development, and while I didn’t think it was possible I love the character of Cinderella even more after this movie.

Cinderella, played by Lilly James, is not just a beautiful girl, she has a beautiful and courageous heart. As a young girl her mother passed along two very important characteristics — to be kind and have courage. Throughout the movie, even as ugly was thrown upon her over and over, she remained kind and brave. Looking at Cinderella as a victim of circumstance the movie clearly defines her not as helpless but as strong and loving trying her best to honor her late mother and father. 

Truly in this version of Cinderella, the princess is a heroine with characteristics I would be proud to see in my own daughters. 

And as for the prince, he doesn’t just fall for Cinderella because of her beauty (although she is beautiful). Instead it is a chance encounter in the forest that reveals her character and steals his heart. (The one major plot difference from the cartoon.) The addition of this meeting to the movie definitely makes their love more real, the prince more of a gentleman and Cinderella worthy of the title princess.

There is, of course, magic. But in keeping with the development of Cinderella as a girl with a kind and believing heart, I loved that the magic only revealed itself when she proved that her heart is pure. 

In the grand tradition of Disney villains that we love to hate Lady Tremaine and her daughters remain at the top of the list. But through Cinderella we see them as vulnerable, lost souls who mask their own imperfections through their ugly ways toward Cinderella. I almost feel sorry for them, almost. Perhaps Cinderella’s most beautiful moment was when she forgave them all. 

Cinderella is the ultimate family movie. That said, I have to tell you that my three year old wasn’t impressed. While she can sit happily in a theater for a full-length cartoon, she can’t sit still for live-action movies at this point and Cinderella was no different. It was just too much movie. On the other hand, my six year old never took her eyes off the screen. 

Before the movie even began both girls were thrilled to see Anna, Elsa and the whole gang back on the big screen in Frozen Fever. The short received two thumbs up from both of my princesses.