Poor Ella (Lily James) is forced to live in hardship by her wicked stepmother Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) and her two daughters (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera). That is, until she has a chance encounter with a charming Prince (Richard Madden) and a Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).
Kenneth Branagh directs this live-action version of the timeless classic. The story might be familiar but Disney have nonetheless delivered a sumptuous-looking fairytale, sprinkled with plenty of their trademark magic.
Downton Abbey alumni Lily James is quite perfect as Cinderella and she easily handles the task of leading such a big picture. Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden makes for a dashing prince charming and both he and James convince as love-struck leads.
The magnetic Cate Blanchett steals her scenes as the wicked step-mother, with her character being humanised a lot more. This makes for a much more satisfying story to see unfold and gives depth to all the characters involved in the central plot. Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera are devilishly delightful as bickering step-sisters and there’s great support from the likes of Derek Jacobi (as the King who has a wonderfully warm dynamic with Richard Madden as his son), Stellan Skarsgård, Haley Atwell, Ben Chaplin and Helena Bonham Carter.
With more live-action versions of Disney’s library to come, Cinderella is a fine family treat that will keep everyone happy. With Branagh on-board he gives the movie a luscious, regal feel that perfectly complements the classic tale of good overcoming evil. With his keen eye, some great ensemble performances and that unmistakable sparkle that only Disney can bring, Cinderella is a great experience that will appeal to all.
Jason is a film contributor for Entertainment Focus (EF) bringing you the latest news and reviews from the movie world.
Cinderella review
Playing at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from now until 5th January is the annual pantomime: this year’s story is Cinderella. It’s a dazzling show that kids aged three to one hundred will adore. It features some big names from television, Shetland ponies live on stage and enough costume changes to give any actor a nervous breakdown. If you want family fun, spectacle, a raucous atmosphere and a Yuletide treat – look no further.
Cinderella lives a contented life until her father, Baron Hardup, becomes engaged and Cinderella acquires two step-sisters from hell – Daisy and Lily. A chance fleeting meeting with Cinderella in the forest leaves the handsome young eligible bachelor Prince Charming determined to find her. He contrives to throw a ball at the palace, inviting all the ladies in his kingdom, so that he can be reunited with Cinderella. One problem: there’s a limited supply of tickets (well, Prince Charming is handsome and, er, charming – you didn’t expect brains too?) giving ample opportunity for the Ugly Sisters to prevent Cinderella from attending the ball.
Matt Lapinskas and Anna Williamson as Prince Charming and Cinderella.
Within the framework of the traditional story of Cinderella, the panto bursts with other ideas from comic interludes to dance routines using contemporary pop songs (we discerned Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran; One Direction, Ylvis, Ant and Dec and Michael Buble – don’t worry if you don’t recognise some of the names – the kids will know them all!)
From an adult point of view, the best thing about Cinderella is the Ugly Sisters, magnificently played by David Ball and Byron Mondahl. They’re even funny visually – one tall and slim, the other short and squat. Together they’re an absolute scream from start to finish and carry on the glorious British theatrical tradition of panto gender-bending, dishing out plenty of sass in Cinderella’s direction, and offering bucketsful of smut and double-entendres which will sail over the heads of the kids.
The fantastic Ugly Sisters: Byron Mondahl and David Ball.
Charged with whipping the kids up into a frenzy is Andrew Agnew as Buttons. Kids will know him from Balamory. He has his routine of coaxing the children to participate down to a fine art, and his geniality makes him perfect for the role. Jessica Martin is an excellent choice for the Fairy Godmother too – whose magic wand is appropriately also a mobile phone these days. A former Spitting Image voice artist, she throws in some excellent impersonations along the way, including Cilla Black and Sharon Osbourne.
As Cinderella and her Prince Charming is Nickelodeon presenter Anna Williamson and EastEnders’ and Dancing on Ice star Matt Lapinskas. They make for an ideal fairytale couple on stage, with Williamson capturing Cinderella’s innocence and optimism, and Lapinskas epitomising charm and impressing with excellent vocals for the songs.
Andrew Agnew as Buttons with Anna Williamson (Cinderella).
Running to two and a half hours (including interval), Cinderella provides non-stop magic for children, and the licence it grants them to be silly and to bawl their lungs out to the traditional pantomime set-ups will do the parents’ work for them in keeping their little ones entertained and then ready for bed – at least for one day.
The show is tightly directed (Alison Pollard) though the pace occasionally dips usually to provide time for some impressive set changes and one or two scenes arguably go on too long (though younger kids adore repetition and milked jokes). You won’t find any kids complaining about any of the content though. Overall Cinderella is enormous fun and a skilfully put-together panto.