Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Cinderella (2015)'

Written by Shae Rufe

If you’re a fan of Disney then a couple of years ago you might have noticed their release of a new live action version of Cinderella. Yes, this movie has had many incarnations since its original written version, but the glass slippers have never looked so good. Also, the Frozen short before the film was truly an experience and is pretty fantastic. 

Cinderella follows our enchanting princess-to-be Ella, and her life. She is surrounded by a loving father and mother from a respectable household with servants and farmers; the father travels quite often and is always bringing young Ella the most enchanting gifts. Sadly, all good things come to an end, it seems, when Ella’s Mother dies of some unknown disease. It isn’t until years later, however, that her father re-marries our infamous stepmother. Things seem to be fine, and maybe the stepmother isn’t even evil…but words hurt. She overhears Ella and her father talking about how much they miss the long dead mother. When this is constantly thrown in the stepmother's face, I truly can’t blame her for resenting Ella. The Stepsisters are, for lack of a better term, hilariously awful.

When things seem like they may just work out, things take a turn for the worse and our Ella finds herself orphaned. And living in the attic…which has her sleeping by the fire, which gets her a new name, Cinderella. Ella finds herself being their servant and finally snaps after they call her Cinderella. She leaves on a horse, only to run into a young apprentice named Kit. We all know Kit is really the prince, but Ella doesn’t, and with just a few moments between them, something sparks. Ella returns home, and Kit goes to convince his father that he wants the entire village invited to the party being thrown for him.

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​Ella isn’t allowed to go to the ball, and unlike the animated version we grew up with, she doesn’t have animal friends to help make her dress, but she does have animal friends and they do chat with her…or she talks to them? Either way, she fixes up an old dress from her mother and says she’s going to attend the ball as well…until her dress is ruined by her stepfamily. Ella runs off, and instead of her Fairy Godmother just appearing, like we’re used to, there’s a test. An old woman asks Ella for some bread or milk. Ella, still distraught, calms instantly, and gives the woman a bowl of milk without question. Her Fairy Godmother reveals herself as the old woman and before we know it, Ella is in a stunning dress, with Glass Slippers, and in a Pumpkin Carriage on her way to the ball.

Ella is the belle of the ball as she is the last to arrive and captures the prince’s attention immediately. They dance, and then sneak off to talk privately. Everyone Is convinced she is a princess, and Ella isn’t about to correct anyone, nor will she give Kit her real name. But soon, Midnight is about to happen. Ella leaves, her slipper falls and is left on the stairs. She gets away and our Prince is not pleased. With the King dying, he finally grants his son’s wish; Kit may marry whomever he likes. The Grand Duke is not pleased with this and wants him to marry a Princess, for the better of their kingdom.

The search begins. Whoever fits the glass slipper is the missing princess. Every woman in the kingdom tries it on. Finally, Cinderella’s home is checked. The stepsisters try their luck, and are found to not be the girl. Ella is locked in the attic as her stepmother figured out she was the Mystery Princess, even breaking the other glass slipper she had. Fate, however, has a way of working out. The guards hear singing, and our Prince, now King, is among them. He insists the girl be released, and low and behold, she is his mystery girl, but not a princess. Thankfully, true love is more important. This film was adorable. While it held the classic elements we know and love, it had its own twists. A film for the whole family, and of course, all those Cinderella fans out there.

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