Rating: 
Summary: Brandy is Horrible
Review: What a shame that they cast the very untalented Brandy in the title role. The rest of the cast is excellent, especially Bernadette Peters who steals the show as the stepmother. But without a Cindrella, whats the point. Its especially obvious during the short duet between Bernadette and Brandy. Without the microphone Brandy would not be heard, and she is outclassed all the way around.Wait for the Leslie Warren or Julie Andrews version to come out. If you insist on this version, get a nice glass of Brandy to go with it, it will make it less painful when she starts to sing.
Rating: 
Summary: Cinderella -- 1997-- Live Action Musical
Review: Cinderella, briliant film making! Same old story we are used to, but modernized for today's society. What do I mean by moderized? This version of "Cinderella" the Cast is wonderful and "color- bind." I don't know another movie like it. Where else can you see an African-American Cinderella played by singer/actress Brandy, an Asian Prince played by Paolo Montalban, and the wicked stepmother played by Burnedette Peters. There are so many wonderful cast members it is impossible to list them all. This story is retold in a modernized, fun, uplifting musical style. Important lessons can be learned from this movie, and your kids will love it! I also enjoyed the featurette included on the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Completely Charming
Review: This movie floats like a rainbow in the sky sprinkled with fairy dust. It is the most visually stunning, spectacular feast for the eyes I have ever seen. The messages are wonderful and wholesome, the plot perfect and the singing...magical. I can't find one single thing wrong with this movie. Brandy brings a sweet innocence to Cinderella, and in my mind, she is the most beautiful Cinderella ever. Her voice lacks a certain maturity, which was perfect for the role. It breathes innocence and a human spirit into Cinderella like never before. She is sweet, mysterious and very feminine. She presents women in a very positive way. When Cinderella and the Prince meet in the market, you just can't imagine it happened any other way. Paolo Montalban: wow...he is the perfect prince and so handsome. I was so impressed with his voice. When Brandy and Paolo sang together it gave me shivers and one time almost made me cry. It was like two souls mingling in the sky with longing. The choreography was stunningly original. The scenes in the market with all the food will just delight every cook. The story starts in a market with Cinderella and her two sisters shopping. She meets the Prince, and is then told not to talk to him and is whisked home. Almost immediately, plans are being made for a Royal Ball to find the prince a wife so he can produce an heir for the kingdom. Whoopi Goldberg is hilarious as the Queen, and Victor Garber comes across as a loving father who wants the best for his son. I was amazed when the King and Queen were actually in love, which was not the case in other movies. As in all the Cinderella stories, Cinderella is left at home and then when she wishes to go to the Ball, the fairy godmother magically appears. Whitney Houston plays a fairy godmother just as you would imagine her to be, ethereally floating next to the horses and carriage, sparkling, singing...wow, what more could you ask for. It was amazing. Then, the humor was also there as she tries at first to turn the pumpkin into a carriage and fails on the first try. She mumbles something about how she should be able to do this after 600 years of practice. What she does with a pumpkin, well...baby, get ready. This woman can cook! She turns the pumpkin into the most stunning carriage. The pastel blue dress Brandy wears is simply gorgeous. When Cinderella arrives at the ball, her sisters have already had their chance to um, impress the prince and have failed. The costumes and sets are so incredibly gorgeous and the ballroom dancing almost makes you dizzy because they keep spinning and spinning and spinning. There is a scene at the ball that will make you laugh out loud when her sister is on the staircase. Oh, my that was funny. Cinderella of course makes it to the end of the stairs at midnight as her beautiful gown changes back to her regular clothes and she loses her glass slipper. When she gets home, more fun awaits. Her sisters are very suspicious of how much she knows about the ball. One of the funny things is that Bernadette Peters looks younger than one of her daughters, but still manages to pull off the step mother act with great flair. We cannot say the same for her daughters. They are quite funny and bumbling, just as we want them to be. When Cinderealla's stepmother says something about remembering to hide flaws until after the wedding, Cinderella comments as to how a man should love a woman for who she is. A great message to women who sometimes try to be all things to men and fail to find true happiness in being just who they are. I've always adored the story of Cinderella, and the fact that in this adaptation Cinderella is African American was delightful. Anyone who says Brandy can't act is really lying. She brings a wonderful spirit to this movie and does a wonderful job, she is a much better actor than eighty percent of the actors in movies today. The warmth she pours into this story is so needed in our world today. I am literally SHOCKED at the poor reviews this movie has received. I have never seen anything this beautiful and heartwarming in my life! This is now my favorite version of Cinderella besides Ever After, which also makes Cinderella so much more human. They are both on my list of favorite movies. The message of having a wish and then making it come true shows that everything starts with a wish. ~TheRebeccaReview.com
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This movie is a great version of Cinderella! Unlike other reviewers, I believe all the actors did a terrific job. the prince was very good, as was the fairy godmother. I especially liked that there really was no specific race. I enjoy watching this movie to no end. What a terrific find!
Rating:
Summary: The real news here is Paolo Montalban
Review: I found this production to be most enjoyable. There are some weaknesses in individual cast members, but the multi-racial casting is an unusual touch that works quite well. The sets and costumes are whimsical in true fairy tale fashion and you can't lose with a Rogers and Hammerstein score. Still, the real news here is Paolo Montalban - an acting, singing, powerhouse with an on camera presence that steals every scene he's in. In time, I believe, the introduction of Paolo to the viewing public is what this production will be famous for.
Rating:
Summary: Brandy is Awful
Review: Brandy cant sing or act. Without a Cinderella there is no Cinderella. Too bad because the rest of the cast is great, especially Bernadette Peters.
Rating:
Summary: Cinderella - A Fairytale
Review: Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals have always been favorites of mine. The 1997 adaptation of Cinderella was no disappointment. The colorful costumes, set and props add a feeling of fantasy - a fairytale come to life. Children today are lost in a world of realism and most have forgotten how to use their imaginations. How many children actually know what a fairytale is? This musical brings imagination back into their lives. As adults, we know that two people - one white and one black - cannot have a biological son that is Asian. But in this musical it contributes to the theme: anything is possible. I appreciate the multi-racial cast because it represents the fact that all people can work together no matter the color of their skin. This production shows that all people are the same on the inside. A good lesson for children and adults to learn! The choice of cast is excellent! Many familiar faces in roles in which you may not expect to see them. You cannot walk away from watching this production without a good feeling. Let the fantasy carry you into a fairytale world where anything can happen. And for a short time, allow yourself to become a child again and enjoy the familiar story of "rags to riches" told in a contemporary setting. The first two times that I saw this musical I happened to turn on the TV and only caught the last half-hour. But I knew that I had to see the whole thing. I am glad that I did. I now own the video and have watched it several times since I bought it.
Rating:
Summary: Cinderella
Review: This movie is a fun felled fairy tale. I highly recomend it! This is a great family musical, and my family and I enjoyed it very much! This is not one of those movies you buy, watch it once, and through it in the back of your vidio shelf, never intending on playing it again. My little sister, and I watch it every once in while, and enjoy singing along with the music. This movie is well worth your money!
Rating:
Summary: Great Adaptation
Review: This adaptation of Cinderella was fabulous. I enjoyed the multiracial cast, although I wasn't sure I would. The actors did a great job. I've always loved the story of Cinderella, and I think the fact that in this adaptation Cinderella was African American was great. It provides the fantasy for little girls who could relate but not necesarrily identify with previous Cinderellas. I think the role of the Fairy God Mother was tailor made for Whitney Houston. While she's not a talented actress, she was able to let her own spunk shine in this role. It was also a showcase of her undeniable vocal talents. Jason Alexander's comedic talents were ever present in his role as Lionel. Bernadette Peters made a superb step mother, even if she wasn't vile and evil. The step sisters were a comic treat. Whoopi Goldberg was great as the worrysome queen. It was evident that she only wanted to see her son happy even if it meant she had to interfere. Mr. Montaban showcased his talent as the prince. Brandy's ever maturing vocal ablilities were displayed in this movie, especially when she was able to sing right along with Whitney. Not only can she sing, but Brandy is quite the actress. The sets and costumes were bright and colorful. The music was very catchy. Disney did an excellent job with this production.
Rating:
Summary: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Review: The DVD of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella is beautiful. The costumes and the sets are gorgeous looking. Brandy as Cinderella and handsome newcomer Paolo Montalban as the prince are wonderful. Whitney Houston tends to be a bit over the top as the fairy godmother, but she did produce the movie! The score by Rodgers and Hammerstein is excellent ranging from the romantic "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" to the comedic "Stepsisters Lament." All in all this is an excellent DVD.
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