Rating: Summary: not a good remake Review: I just thought this was a weird version, and Brandy was awful
Rating: Summary: Cinderella Review: GREAT video! A faithful adaptation to the one starring Leslie Ann Warren but updated. Loved the additional songs and the cast is SUPERB! I'm buying this for my 7-year old daughter but rest assured that I'll be playing the ballroom scene over again and again and again!
Rating: Summary: From someone who grew up with the '60's version Review: I grew up loving the Leslie Anne Warren version of Cinderella, but watching it as an adult has always been somewhat painful. The sets are very cheap looking, some of the choreography is downright hideous (the men kicking the women in the butts with their knees during "The Prince is having a Ball") and the dialogue is banal. All that's left that still gives me great pleasure is the beautiful R&H score. So, I was intrigued to see what a '90's version would be like, and I was not disappointed. Brandy and Paolo are totally charming in their roles. The dialogue, while still not Ibsen, is a vast improvement on the '66 version. Whitney gets a bit too much screen time and Whoopi not enough; and why doesn't Victor Garber get to sing? He has an incredible voice, for those who remember him in Sweeney Todd. The highlights: Bernadette Peters, who gives some depth to her wicked stepmother...the INCREDIBLY colorful sets and costumes, which look stunning on the DVD...the wonderful "spinning-out-of-control" feeling of "Ten Minutes Ago"...a much improved opening using a "new" song...and the very welcome color-blind casting, along with the "music's in you" theme to the story (though that song didn't do much for me). Overall, a welcome return to the old-fashioned Hollywood musical--with a few modern twists.
Rating: Summary: Not very well done Review: This 1997 re-make has all of the elments of a blockbuster, but fails because of it almost confusing effects. I really enjoyed many of the old songs, but the music changes to fit the singers strained the whole idea. When you modernize a classic, failure usually ensues because the features that made it a "classic" are lost. Anemic remake. Not good.
Rating: Summary: This was amazing! Review: I just wanted to say that I love this version of Cinderella! I have always loved the story, but recently, I saw this new version. It was interesting cast, but it still had a great cast! Brandy, Whitney, and ESPECIALLY Bernadette Peters were amazing! The songs were fun and entertaining to listen to. It was a great movie and I have to say that Bernadette played a good evil stepmother!
Rating: Summary: Rogers & Hammerstein's version redone Review: If you enjoyed the Cinderella version with Leslie Ann Warren, you'll enjoy this one. Jason Alexander is great. Burnadette Peters makes a great evil step mother, and the stepdaughters really did play the part. Brandi has a beautiful voice and there are additional songs in this version. I thought Whoopie Goldberg should've been the Fairy Godmother and Whitney Houston should've been the queen. It seemed more like the attitudes fit better that way, but I guess they needed Whitney to sing the Fairy Godmothers songs. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable. I bought it, and I'm pleased that I did. I also own the Leslie Ann version and I watch them about 50/50. I like one as well as the other.
Rating: Summary: A word from one of the musical staff... Review: Just a little note on the comments stating that this version "was not what R & H had in mind":1. Oscar Hammerstein was passionately against racism, (note his song "Carefully Taught" in South Pacific) and I was told by his daughter, Alice, at the premiere that he would have been overjoyed with this production. 2. Early on in the process of re-realizing this score, I felt skeptical when I was asked to tailor the music to the talents of R. & B. recording artists. In the midst of production, I received correspondence from both the R. & H. organization, as well as from Mary Rodgers herself (Richard's daughter) that they were "ecstatic" at the updated sound of the score. "My hero," were her words to me upon being introduced to her. Imagine my delight at hearing the above, being that I was an AVID R. & H. fan as a child AND adult. I watched the 1965 version religiously year after year until it was no longer aired. I feel very privileged to have had the honor to have been able to tailor this magnificent score to a new generation of listeners. It was an experience I will not soon forget!
Rating: Summary: Exceptional creativity, visuals & talent - don't miss! Review: I think this production of Cinderella is fabulous! The cast as a whole has tremendous energy. Who knew Jason Alexander could move so well? I particularly enjoyed Brandy's performance as Cinderella and loved her version of "In My Own Little Corner". The sets were incredible; the music updated and inspired. The disregard of racial backgrounds was inspirational as well as fun. I just found out this is now available on DVD and ordered a copy in addition to the VHS tape I already own.
Rating: Summary: I Loved It. Review: I liked the idea of having an interracial cast. It reflects how our society is now. I love Brandy and Whitney Houston so this movie really appealed to me.
Rating: Summary: Very poorly done, too many messages sent! Review: I simply wanted to enjoy the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, set with some great R & H Music, right? Instead, I watched this horribly offensive, politically correct satire, attempting to fill all of the PC'ism's. Imagine the Fairy Godmother preaching feminist self-determination. Yeah, so?? Of course, the multiracial casting was really blatantly thoughtless (lots of effort casting , eh?). But ultimately, it became so confusing that the simple pleasure of watching a child's fairy tale was lost in the stupid Disney-type, "I want to make you a better" ( read politically correct) Disney person. These folks fear free thinkers. This movie flopped because it was trying to be more than good entertainment.
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