Even though we will be getting a version of Cinderella from Disney in Into the Woods this month, Disney found it necessary to have another Cinderella in the works to be released March 13, 2015. They also brought on Kenneth Branagh, of all people, to direct the film, and with that, the retelling of the classic fairy tale (and very popular Disney animated film from 1950) has a new trailer for you all to watch below.
I have not watched this most recent trailer, but I caught an earlier one. It just looks like a live-action version of the animated film but without the songs. I understand Disney wants to exploit their most famous stories for some more cash money (it worked very well with Maleficent, money-wise not quality-wise), but could they not try something a little different?
The career of Kenneth Branagh is now becoming very odd to me. This, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, and Thor are his most recent directorial efforts. Does he just really need the money? The man with the grand ambition to put the entirety of Hamlet on screen, shooting it in 70mm, and casting just about every famous person in the world is now making this? Where has the Kenneth Branagh I used to know gone?
I hope I end up being wrong about this movie, and Branagh delivers something interesting. If not, I at least hope Cate Blanchett has some fun as the evil stepmother. Again, you can watch the new trailer below.
The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (James) 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.
