Disney should practice what they preach in this film - be courageous and kind (to their audience, that is). Forget about doing something new, they seem to be unable to make entertaining films even with age old fairy tales. Never thought one could find so many things to loathe in a Cinderella film!1. The most annoying thing about the film is the godawful narration with choice of narrator being Helena Bonham Carter!! Oh we want to narrate the WHOLE film NON-STOP - let's go for the woman with a clinking, grating voice who also swallows words! Was everyone with a pleasant, clear voice suddenly DEAD or unavailable? On top of it, Helena has no rhythm to narration whatsoever - "on the forest's"... pause..."edge"...blah blah... then wait for goose visual..."with Mr.Goose"...I felt relieved that the narration was gone during the ball but it came back - (head-wall-bang)! Why even narrate? Is this some complex sci-fi or a radio show? Can people not see what is going on? No really, why does anyone need narration for "Mornings did not agree with Ella's stepsisters..." or "Her stepmother and stepsisters misused her"? I mean I can understand some introductory narration starting with "Once upon a time..." that usually goes on for a minute or two but this is just ridiculous!2. If the narration halts for a bit, don't get any ideas about trying to feel or think or enjoy the lovely scenery for even a single moment because there is forced dialogue about 'courage and kindness' coming your way. Repeated a million times while Ella continues being submissive and allowing her step family to walk all over her. By the way, it is not kindness but lunacy to feed rats unless they are magical, talking rats. Given that the fairy and her magic are ultimately what save Ella, why get rid of talking animals? In a non-revisionist version, you know what you need more of - MAGIC! 3. How is a blue dress that makes you look like a CARICATURE a pink dress?? This one is beyond me! Overall, with Lily James, maybe it was the pulled back blonde hair - dark eyebrows - blue dress combo, but something was totally off with her look. I really do not care about her waist size but pulling her waist so far back makes her head and face look really huge - like someone from a caricature drawing. 4. "Glass slippers are comfortable" - said no one ever... except the fairy godmother, played by Helena. Maybe CGI-ed ones are! And Helena's look - absurd as ever. That frock along with that terrible wig looks like it was put together in a hurry by some amateurs for a 5-yr old's fancy dress party. Again, light hair-dark eye makeup just doesn't work and is terribly distracting. Nothing much to her role - her silly gimmicks and goof-ups are like Aunt Clara's (you know- the old witch from 'Bewitched' who's losing her powers) but without the endearing quality or warmth of that character. The breathy dialogue delivery was also irritating. Visual effects in the scenes were fine because it's MAGIC!5. The dresses for the stepsisters looked like they were drenched in candy. Their roles were no better. The costume designer surely spent all time and effort designing Cate Blanchett's exquisite dresses and coats. Cate looks gorgeous but I am not convinced with her character. She is jealous of Ella (because of her own suffering, bad marriages etc.), so somehow that justifies her bad behaviour and treating Ella like a servant girl? Again let's get this straight - rules for Cinderella: Be kind and do not react even if someone is horrible to you. Rules for stepmother: Well, you have suffered bad marriages and have useless kids, so even if you are vile and hurtful to an innocent person that had nothing to do with your suffering, we'll still try to gain you sympathy from the audience and let you off scot-free(?) Wow! Some twisted logic there.6. Oh I almost forgot to mention the prince, played by Richard Madden. So, how does one take the charming Robb Stark and turn him into a totally forgettable character? Was it the combed back greasy hair or turtlenecks paired with horrible tights? He is terrible as the prince - absolutely lacking any emotion, let alone passion. He was all teeth, wrinkles and no expression.Ever heard of ending up with a headache after watching a Disney film? Well, I did with this one!

I didn't get a chance to watch this one in theaters, but I did rent it and enjoyed it. It's a nice spin on the original and it takes some creative liberties, but otherwise it's not too predictable and there were many scenes I did not see coming. I enjoyed the original but this was even better. It's good for those of you who don't care for animated movies and wanted a live spin on the original fairy tale. Sure, the names are almost the same but it's good for a new generation. There are some parts that were different from the original fairy tale (before the animated film) but it's still good. It's also one of the better live Disney remakes out there, along with The Jungle Book and Pete's Dragon.

Lily james is really really really anoying as Cinderella not very good humanisasion of the cartoon characters. and quite a bland adaption

This sweet good-natured film is practically a live action version of the original Disney animation. it slightly improves the original by making Cinderella a bit more outspoken. And of course the visual effects are excellent and add to the magic. Cate Blanchett is good in a villainous role with a hint of complexity. Some may feel a bit let down by the fact that most scenes are repeated from the original. Still its a pleasant and at times magical experience.9/10