‘Cinderella’ Due Sept. 15
An elaborate yet traditional telling of the Cinderella story. The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and — armed with a pumpkin and a few mice — changes Cinderella’s life forever. Vitals: Director: Kenneth Branagh. Stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Richard Madden, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Hayley Atwell, Derek Jacobi, Stellan Skarsgard, Ben Chaplin. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 105 min., Family/Drama/Adventure, Box office gross: $199.288 million, Disney. Extras: “Frozen Fever” short with the characters from “Frozen”: It’s Anna’s birthday, and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever — but when Elsa catches a cold, her powers may put more than just the party at risk; “Ella’s Furry Friends”: Discover how the movie’s animal stars honed their memorable performances. Blu-ray adds “A Fairy Tale Comes to Life” behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew; “Costume Test Fun”; “Staging the Ball”; alternate opening: Ella’s childhood.
