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.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Telivision Revival...
Review: This is the notorious 1997 Wonderful World of Disney production of Rodgers and Hammerstien's telivision fairy tale. It was originaly produced for telivision in 1957 and starred Julie Andrews in the title role, with John Cypher as the Prince. (This version is now confined to the private libraries of museums around the U.S. as it was not saved on videotape, and was broadcast live. The cast recording still survives, however.) It was remade in 1965, and starred Leslie Ann Warren and Stuart Damon in the roles of Cinderella and the Prince. (This version is not currently in circulation, but it may appear as a re-release video in the future. You may still find it in rental stores, and in libraries. It is not rare.) A NetWorks Productions theatre tour is currently in it's run, and may possibly make it to Broadway. It stars Eartha Kitt in the role of the Godmother, and it is definately worth a look. This version was broadcast in 1997, on the Wonderful World of Disney on ABC. It was produced, in part, by Whitney Houston, and the script was redone to suite the tastes of the new generation. It stars Brandi Norwood in the title role, and Whitney Houston in the role of the Godmother. Poalo Montalbon, a Broadway actor, plays the Prince, and Jason Alexander is his Harold. Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber are the royal pair. (Bernadette Peters appears as the stepmother, also.) A note on the casting. Houston and Disney felt that a multi-cultural cast would be needed to encourage children of all backgrounds to find it within themselves to follow their dreams. This is the underlying message withing that notorious and so-called "politicaly correct" casting. There are many winning qualities to this production, and it includes the talented cast. Brandi Norwood is a hipper, more pop-suited Cinderella than Julie Andrews or Leslie Ann Warren. Her voice is not Broadway material, to be completely honest. It is, however, a singing voice notheless. Her acting is efficient, and she will likely catch the eyes of the younger generation of little girls. (Some reviewers forget her appearances in the telivision show "Moesha" when stating that Brandi is not an actress.) Paolo Montalbon is an incredible Prince. He is handsome, and his high-baritone make him a worthy Prince. He is a worthy successor to John Cypher, and a worthy replacement to Stuart Damon. (He currently plays the Prince in the touring production.) Bernadette Peter's sassy ways are a delicious treat for a stepmother. She is cruel, but only to the extent of being selfish. Her character is not overdone, as it was in the previous versions. Whoopi Goldberg and Victor Garber are an excellent pair. They are hilarious, and have that feeling of a family that was lacking in the 1965 production. They are kind and loving, and want to care for their child in any way possible. It is a very nice performance to have. The script was redone completely. It retains the feel of the Julie Andrews version, but it is more modern, more up-to-date, and more encouraging. The godmother does not give Cinderella her wish just to be nice. She makes it come true to show Cinderella that she has the power to fulfill her own dreams - without the magic. There is more humor here, as is there more pain, but in the end you have a wholesome feeling. There are three additional songs in this production. "The Sweetest Sounds" appears in the first scene. It is a duet for Cinderella and the Prince. It is a very lovely melody, done justice enough by Mantalbon's clear voice, but intertwined with the pop-sound of Brandi's. The other song "Falling in Love With Love" (originaly from "Boys From Syracuse") was not written by Rodgers and Hammerstien, but Rodgers and Hart. (The same Richard Rodgers, though.) Here, it is a song for Bernadette Peters, who would not have gotten to show off her flowing voice otherwise. The last song is "There's Music In You." It is a newer, more poppy version than the original, with changes in lyrics. The song is the ending song for Whitney Houston to close the film with. It is encouraging, and upliftin, even if it isn't truly a Broadway sound. The solo "Loneliness of Evening" does not appear in this version, as it did in the 1965 version. (For some, thankfuly!) The duet for the Queen and King, "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" from the stage version does not appear either. But niether are a complete loss. For those who remain faithful to the Leslie Ann Warren version, this version will not seem very nice. But remember this, this is a musical more for the children. It is more for the children than it is for adults. When you were children in 1965 or later, the music and story was able to touch you heart and show you the magic within you. Think about the children of 1997 and later on. This version was created for them, and whether or not it complies to the standards that you see fit, these children of the new generation will have the chance to be touched by this version of the classic musical as you were when you were children. Overall, this version is aimed at touching the your heart, and showing you that music exhists within everyon, and that you can fulfill your dreams if you believe in yourself. The casts does a very nice job. The sets and costumes are sumptious. The special effects do a lot for a 50 year old musical, and the script is nicely done. If you try to enjoy it, you will. This is a wonderful addition to your library!
| 
