Film Review #7: Cinderella

After several years of doing nothing but packaged projects put together to be cost-effective during the War and Postwar years, in 1950, Walt Disney released his first full-length feature film since Bambi.  Granted, there are somethings that Disney couldn't possibly do due to the film's strict budget and very low financial resources left, but Cinderella is one of Disney's better films, primarily because of it's incredible songs and beautiful animation.  Naturally, Cinderella was a huge success at the box office and adjusted for inflation is one of the most successful films in the history of Hollywood.

Plot: A beautiful young woman named Cinderella is forced to become a servant to her evil stepmother and two selfish step sisters.  Each day, she is to scrub and clean after them, give them breakfast in bed, tend to the stepmother's evil cat Lucifer, and care for the farm animals.

One day, the King of the land, who is tired of waiting around for grandchildren, decides to host a ball in which he hopes his son will choose a bride.  He decrees that every eligible maiden is to attend, but Cinderella is swamped with so much work to do that she is unable to find an outfit in time to go.  Luckily, her animal friends create a pretty dress for her to wear, but the stepdaughters rip the dress apart out of anger and jealousy.  Cinderella is about to give up hope, but her fairy godmother appears and gives her a beautiful gown, coach, and glass slippers to wear, but gives her a cryptic warning that the spell will break at midnight.  At the ball, Prince Charming and Cinderella fall in love and dance then night away, but at midnight, Cinderella flees the castle before the spell breaks, leaving behind one glass slipper.

The Prince decrees that he will marry none but the girl who fits the glass slipper.  When her stepmother discovers that Cinderella was the maiden at the ball, it is up to her animal friends to save Cinderella and bring her the happiness she deserves, before the Grand Duke departs from their chateau.

What's Bad?: I guess the only flaw I have with the film is the fact that most of the scenes in the film aren't building Cinderella's character, but more on comic scenes with the King and the Duke and other scenes with the mice and the cat.  This is why I see so many people don't particularly like Cinderella's character in this film, because she is underplayed.

What's Good?: It was the first time in a long time that Disney had a truly evil villain appear on screen that we love to hate.  The evil stepmother could give Snow White's a run for her money.  She is cold and uncaring, but she is so good at hiding the inner monster within, that it's almost terrifying.

The songs are Disney Classics.  "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" are true blue classics.

The animation is exactly what people think of when they try to remember classic Disney films.  The beautiful ink lines and rich coloring is so meticulously detailed and convincing, that it rivals the animation in almost all of the films made in the 90's.

Overall: The film, while flawed, is still a Walt Disney Classic.  There is something in this film for everyone, and this film is one that should be enjoyed by everyone.  It is a beautiful film and a legend in its own right.

Report Card:

Hero:                              D-
Heroine:                         B+
Villain:                           A
Side Characters:           B+
Songs:                             A+
Musical Score:               B+
Animation:                     A+
Special Effects:              B-
Theme:                           B+
Story:                             A-

Final Grade: A-