When I saw the first trailer for Cinderella, I was actually pretty impressed. It’s one of those classic Disney films that we all grew up on and they’ve done the story with made-for-tv movies, but nothing that’s really come close to the animated film.
This new interpretation looks a lot more familiar and director Kenneth Branagh is bringing his flair for large set pieces and popping colors to the screen, in what looks to be a pretty fantastic movie. It also has my favorite actress of all time, Cate Blanchett, as the evil step-mother; and that’s enough to sell me on the film right there. Below, we have more footage to get you excited about the film.
Here’s the official synopsis for Cinderella:
The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella’s father suddenly and 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 abuse her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an employee at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears as if 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.” Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand as a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.
Cinderella is directed by Kenneth Branagh and is due out on March 13th. The film stars: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Hayley Atwell, Stellan Skarsgard, Holiday Grainger, Nonso Anozie and Sophie McShera.
