Cinderella (1997)

More is not necessarily better. A glitzy Hollywood cast and a big budget did not improve the wonderful 1957 teleplay (or its equally charming 1964 remake) upon which this version is based. This is partly because Brandy, cast in the title role, cannot act. Not helping matters are Whoopi Goldberg as the prince's mother and Jason Alexander as his valet. Their shtick wears thin very quickly. However, Paolo Montalban is charismatic as the prince, and Whitney Houston plays a fairy godmother with pizzazz. The production cost millions, and is certainly lavish, but the whole affair feels forced and overdone, reminding one of a prom queen wearing too much makeup. It does deserve credit for a multi-ethnic cast, the addition of two new songs and a hip attitude. However, the 1964 version (the original was not taped) is much sweeter and more romantic. Originally released as Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com

Enchanting

This is one of my wife's favorites so I'll let her share her thoughts. Sarah Ashley:

I love it on so many levels! This is the timeless story that every girl grows up with, presented in an updated way with all of the creative support of Disney. I could watch it 100 times and not get tired of it.

First, the classic music is absolutely addictive. It's beautiful, fun, and performed so incredibly by the stars. The performances tug at your heart and pull you in. The choreography also adds to the joy of this film. The costumes are pure Disney magical, with wonderful color combinations, fabrics and designs. Combine that with the whimsical world created by the set designers and you end watching a beautiful fantasy and a work of art.

Okay, granted the acting isn't academy award winning. And while it's true that my husband is the author of Walt Disney World® with Disabilities and we're huge Disney fans, I've loved this movie long before the book was a gleam in his eye, so I don't thing I'm biased towards Disney. This movie is a wonderful time and I highly recommend it! September 14, 2008

"CINDERELLA" 1997: BRANDY AS POP PRINCESS FOR A POP MUSIC GENERATION.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella" was originally written in 1957 as a television showcase for Julie Andrews. That original live broadcast was seen by an estimated 107 million viewers. The charming musical's reputation was nearly destroyed by an embarrasingly amateurish 1965 TV remake featuring Lesley Ann Warren. It is this version, unfortunately, that was videotaped and shown on TV for several decades. Richard Rodgers obviously took leave of his senses, since he was executive producer of the 1965 remake. Oscar Hammerstein II died in 1960. If he had still been alive, the 1965 remake, which has all the charm and professionalism of a First Grade School Play, would certainly have killed him!
Nearly forty years after the original 1957 TV presentation came this 1997 candy-colored remake. It's all very attractively staged by director Robert Iscove and choreographed by Rob Marshall ("Cabaret," "Annie," "Chicago"). Kudos to Whitney Houston for insisting on "rainbow colored" casting. Many reviewers have commented on this version's interracial cast. Some love it, some are confused by it, some can't get past it and just enjoy the show. I say this: 1). Fairy tales exist in a realm beyond such petty things as racism and other assorted prejudices. 2). It seems fitting that a major Rodgers & Hammerstein production DOES AND SHOULD feature a multiracial cast who don't talk about it, and simply act and sing the story as they should; since moving beyond racism and other assorted prejudices is a MAJOR plot point in both Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific" and "The King and I." If the multi-racial casting here still bothers you, please listen to the song
"Carefully Taught" from "South Pacific."
But, back to the subject of this particular "Cinderella": There are several musical interpolations and alterations here. "The Sweetest Sounds" from Richard Rodgers' 1962 musical "No Strings" has been added as a rather fitting introductory duet for Cinderella and The Prince. A cynical song by Rodgers And Lorenz Hart (Rodgers' partner prior to Oscar Hammerstein) titled "Falling In Love With Love" is added for Bernadette Peters, in a particularly nasty turn as an emotionally abusive Stepmother. There is a noticeable shift in star power here, too. Whitney Houston's Fairy Godmother rules here. She brings plenty of DIVA POWER to her role; perhaps too much. Houston always gets the last word and also the last song (a forgotten Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad titled "Music In You.")
Caught between the star power of Houston and Peters, AND the charismatic sex appeal of Paolo Montalban as Prince Christopher Charming, Brandy Norwood does project a certain wide-eyed innocence as Cinderella, but she projects very little else. Being a pop music Princess, Brandy does not have a musical theatre voice, which the role definitely requires. Her speaking and singing voice barely registers above a faint whisper. Super-Sexy Montalban (who does have a beautiful, legitimate "theatre voice") carries her through the lovely duets "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" The thrill of "Impossible/It's Possible" is lost amidsts all the CGI Special Effects used to affect the magical transformations. Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen and Jason Alexander as Prince Christopher's valet Lionel do manage a few moments of real comedic sparks. But I found myself missing the simple, black and white, genuine charms of the original 1957 production.
Thankfully, however, the 1997 remake almost erases the stench left by the 1965 version. You should be pleased, delighted, and/or entertained by both the 1957 and 1997 versions. Let's just hope the 1965 version, that real GOD-AWFUL 'amateur production", remains buried forever in a dark and lonely place. August 3, 2008

Product never received

I ordered a movie from this seller May 23, 2008 and never received the product as of June 23, 2008. June 23, 2008

Brandy Haters

Thsi movie was better than the original and the remake. This movie brings together different ethnicities to come as one big project. many people who gave this product reviews are so used to seeing a all white cast that then think this was too much. It wasn't too much it just wasn't what you wanted to see! A blonde, blue eyed, caucasioa perosn like Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson is what you wanted to see not brown skinned goddess like Brandy Norwood who can out sing them both vocally if it came down to it! It's a shame to see that racism is still alive and well even when the bleniding of the ethnicities was supposed to open peoples eyes and get them to see this production in a new light! People who have previously reviewed this movie say that Brandy cannot act do you really thing Rodgers & Hammerstein would have picked her if she couldn't again because she wasn't some caucasian movie starlet she just in their eyes didn't match up well she was and will alwys be the best Cinderella thsi production has ever seen hands down! This is a classic that I wil show my kids so that they can see you achieve anything even when you have your doubters! June 20, 2008

The best Cinderella ever!

Growing up, Cinderella was my favorite fairy tale and this version is the best! Whitney Houston and Brandy are both flawless in their singing, and the rest of the cast is great as well. June 18, 2008

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