Cinderella

CINDERELLA'S a nice tale about accepting people for whom they are, regardless if they are poor, but as long as they are blonde, beautiful, are courageous and have a good heart.

    Girls grow up actually believing that a prince, who's wealthy beyond belief, will go against social convention and marry below his station. They may as well believe that a hunky young billionaire who's into S&M will go out of his way to court a virgin, including taking her on helicopter rides.
    Director Kenneth Branagh does a snappy job with this Cinderella; he keeps things moving along speedily and expectantly.
     Richard Madden is stiff as the studly prince who learns to stand on his two feet; Lily James does as much as can be expected of her. And like in Fifty Shades of Grey, the amorous couple just doesn't click.
    However, viewers' expectations are lower for this mushy film, and it's only the cool demeanour of Cate Blanchett as the stepmother that adds a frisson of danger to proceedings.

2 out of 5 stars