“Cinderella (2021)” Movie Review
If the average viewer thinks there have been way too many Cinderella movies made, that would be 100% correct. The new 2021 Amazon Prime “Cinderella” does not make the mile long list of movies any better.
Kay Cannon wrote and directed this fairytale musical film. She is known for writing and producing the “Pitch Perfect” movie trilogy. She casted Camila Cabello as Cinderella, Idina Menzel as the evil stepmother, Billy Porter as the fairy godmother, Minnie Driver as the queen, and Pierce Brosnan as the king.
There are numerous other familiar faces in the movie. A comfort cast to say the least, and a successful one.
This movie is Cabello’s acting debut. Considering this is her first movie and the genre, she was not half bad. She fits the part.
If she were to be in another movie not like this one, her performance could be a little questionable. Cabello is made for musicals, and she should stick to them.
What makes this movie stand out from all the other Cinderella movies is that it is an overdramatic musical version. Of course, Hollywood had to make this movie.
They took iconic songs from American culture to move the story along. They took an idea from another Cinderella story-inspired movie “Ella Enchanted” which was singing “Somebody To Love” by Queen. This version of Cinderella had more parts of other timeless tales sprinkled in there, something a viewer would know if they watched all the Disney Princess movies.
An angle that was unexpected about this movie is feminism. In the original Cinderella story by Charles Perrault, once the prince matches the glass slipper with Cinderella’s foot, she marries him and they live happily ever after. This time around, Cinderella has a choice to either make dresses for a powerful queen or marry the prince. Which path will she take?
Little parts of the original story are changed which makes it more interesting and quirkier. Speaking of quirky, the cringy jokes made in this movie are actually funny.
There’s one part of the movie where Cinderella is singing about how she wants to go to the royal ball to make a name for herself. Out of nowhere comes her flamboyant, sassy godmother to the rescue. She asks if she wants her to help her go to the ball. She responds by saying, “Yes, I was just crying and singing about it two minutes ago.” Really stupidly funny jokes like that were made throughout the movie.
This movie had a lot of potential, however, this story has been told so many times and the corny-ness of it all somewhat ruined it - but there were great sides to the film as well.
The costumes, the sets, the cast and singing were all fantastic. If only the story did not override all of those things and the lessons trying to be taught.
Overall, this movie was okay. If the story was altered a little more and it wasn’t so corny, more people would enjoy this modern “Cinderella.”
Rating: 2/5 stars
Emily McGlynn is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email her at esm5378@psu.edu.
