Rating: 
Summary: Pure Fun!
Review: Whitney Houston as Cinderella's fairy godmother? Whoopi Goldberg as queen? Needless to say, that's quite a different cast than was in the original Cinderella! And the differences don't stop there. In this 1997 remake of the common fairytale, romance and zaniness freely combine to make this "Cinderella" version like any other.One thing that I loved about this movie was the blending of the old and new. The Rogers and Hammerstein songs written for this movie were still on this movie (bravo to Disney for including them!!), but they were sung by Brandy, a "Cinderella" whose pretty "pop" voice gives them a modern twist. The stepsisters just can't get much funnier, and their outrageous ballgowns and ballroom blunders will leave you in stitches. Humor also comes in the form of the king and queen-their subtle one-liners will also make you laugh. A subtle yet wonderful new addition to this movie is the varied cast-creating a fairy tale world of every skin color. The producers of this movie also knew what NOT to change. The prince as every bit as charming as a fairytale should be, and of course the glass slipper is present...and even the slight stiffness of Brandy's acting is forgivable doesn't spoil this otherwise wonderfully done fairy tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Cinderella, The Best One Yet
Review: Cinderella beats the best. This remake from 1965 and 1954 was excellent. It has an all-star cast, including Brandy as a marvelous Cinderella, Whitney Houston as the eccentric Fairy-Godmother, Paolo Montalban as a very charming and (unlike the others) caring prince, Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber as a great and hilarious royal couple, Jason Alexander as the overlooked/overstepped harold, Bernadette Peters as the flirtatious/evil Stepmother, and Veanne Cox and Natalie Dessette as a wonderful combination of Stepsisters. The costumes and sets were just breathtaking. That, along with the technology, put it way above the previous remakes. It was romantic, with an upbeat feel, and plenty of humor. My favorite scene is the totally redone "The Prince is Giving a Ball". It gave you that feel-good music, mixed with the humouruos exasperation from the Prince's valet. It had just exellent choreography, and colorful costumes and props. The ballroom scene was also great. Especially the "Stepsisters Lamade". And I loved the new songs, including "Falling in Love With Love", and "Waiting Somewhere for Me". I think the Step-units stole the show, as they had a right to, with their brilliant acting and singing. This is a must-see film (again and again and again...)
Rating:
Summary: great voices but ok acting
Review: I've seen the version with Leslie Anne Warren and thought that anyone could sing and be Cinderella better than her, and with Disney's 1997 version someone did. Brandy brings to this role some much needed sophistication and class that, unfortunately, Leslie Anne did not. The movie is filled with great music and overall ok acting, but still can't anyone make a musical that is not corny or cheesy? Did the great musical end with Grease? Paolo was absolutely fabulous and a great find. His voice resounded with greatness. It's too bad that a musical can have such great singing talent, but not much in the acting department. Still, it makes for great background noise while reading or studying.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I watched this movie when it first aired and loved it so much that I bought the video. I have since watched it numerous times. Brandy does not have near the voice to do a Rogers and Hammerstein. I still don't understand why she was cast as Cinderella. I hope she will not attempt another musical in the future. Whitney was Whitney. She succeeded in turning the fairy godmother into her image. Fortunately, the rest of the cast more than make up for them. Overall, the acting was good. The singing (beside Brandy) was excellent. Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber were great as Queen and King. Whoopi was hilarious, but I wish she didn't have to sing. I agree with the other reviewers that Bernadette Peters stole the show as the wicked stepmother. Her singing and acting were superb. Jason Alexander was OK as the Prince's Valet, but why did he need that accent??? The two stepsisters were funny. The real fairy tale is newcomer Paolo Montalban. He was exceptional in his TV debut and what a fantastic voice. I hope to hear him sing again. His prince was perfectly charming, and he could dance too. Lastly, the mutlicultural casting is ingenious. All the actors and actresses were cast by their singing (except Brandy) and acting (except Whitney) ability. Disney didn't make this an all-white or all-black Cinderella so children of all races can enjoy it. For the people who think that this is not realistic, remember THIS IS A FAIRY TALE. If mice can change into horses and pumpkins into coaches that fly then why can't a white king and a black queen have an asian son. We don't need an scientific explanation to everything. Just enjoy the movie. ~
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: My 2-year-old daughter and I have so much fun singing along with this video. She even asks me to dance during the ballroom scenes. It is a fabulous production.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, yes with color...but not if your mind is closed
Review: Fun fast paced, enchanting update and very enjoyable. Some, who have written a negative review about not being comfortable with the color and diversity of this production, sound like .... Let's see, an African-American Cinderella, strike one. A Filipino Prince, strike two. An evil White stepmother, strike three! How dare they tint a classic fairy-tale with color and diversity, which goes against your traditional vision of virtually all children classics? This production was long overdue and should be commended, not because it breaks stereotypes, but because it is a very well performed and enjoyable movie! Brandy does a decent job as Cinderella, and evokes the charm and innocence needed to pull the role off. Whitney is fantastic (and I’m not a big Whitney fan). Bernadette Peters is great as is the rest of the cast. Compared to the Leslie-Ann Warren, mid 60’s version, which is very slow, sparse, and poorly acted, this version is like a breath of fresh air. My daughter has seen both versions and can’t sit through the 60’s version. I think those who reminisce about that version, think of it kindly because we saw it as children and it takes us back to a time of our innocence. You can find the 60’s TV version at most blockbusters, but if you watch it and then watch this updated version of Cinderella, I think you’ll agree that this 1997 version is an improvement!
Rating:
Summary: multi-ethnic cast shines!
Review: Having grown up with the magic of Lesley Anne Warren as Cinderella, I wasn't sure the Rogers and Hammerstein musical could be topped, but the whole family was impressed with this one. Brandy does a wonderful job as Cinderella: demur, wistful, and understated, and her singing is beautiful (and I wasn't a fan before). The set and costumes and the supporting cast are all excellent! All of the actors manage to convey a sense of their characters' humanity (with the possible exception of Jason Alexander). The "evil" stepsisters are a hoot, Bernadette Peters is inspired, the royal parents capture every parent's concern for their offspring, and Paolo Montalban as the prince is someone anyone could fall in love with.... In short, this updated, multicultural Cinderella is worth putting in your DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This movie is very good! I really enjoyed all those singin and dancing. I think Bernadette Peters (My favorite actress) did a great job playing the role of evil step-mother. She seems so real and so human. Brady is a marvelous job on singing in this movie and so is Whitney Houston. I loved the costumes. It really sparkle and bright. It spice it up! I really like it! The kids will love it too and I know YOU will too!
Rating: 
Summary: I feel sorry for all my peers who grew up with this version
Review: The 1965 version of Cinderella is what I grew up with and love, and when I saw the Brandy version I was disgusted! It's all glossed up and doesn't have the warmth and innocense of the older version. This is supposed to be a play, and this one doesn't make the movie theme work. The new songs are not at all good, too. I feel so sorry for my peers who have only seen this version! They have truly missed out in the wholesome 1965 Cinderella with the elegant Lesley Ann Warren. In general, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Cinderella is absolutely wonderful. I'm 15 and I still watch and know all the lyrics!
Rating:
Summary: "Who dances in glass slippers?"
Review: Colorful costumes and sets, Brandy's sweet singing paired with Whitney Houston's more powerful delivery, and a nice anti-passivity message. In this retelling of the tale, Cinderella, coached by her Fairy Godmother, escapes an abusive family by taking an active role in her own liberation (the prince finds her after she's decided to leave her mean step-mother and sisters, and has concluded she deserves to be loved for who she is) and the prince gets to marry for love instead of money, clearly stating he doesn't want a servant, but someone he can talk to. It's sappy like the original, but more consciously, and intends to present a healthier message for kids than a be-good-and-marry-up interpretation of the traditional story line. And the prince is a babe! If you must Cinderella, it's a good choice.
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