Disney Classics Marathon :pound_symbol:12

When I was a little kid my grandmother picked me up at kindergarten or later at Elementary School about two days a week. Some days we would go to the local video ranting store (something like Blockbuster) and I was allowed to choose one movie from the kids section. Well, I always loved movies, but on those special days I mostly decided between two very specific ones. One was Don Bluth‘s "Thumbelina" and the other one Disney’s "Cinderella."

"Cinderella" or "Aschenputtel," as it’s called in German, has always been one of my favorite fairytale‘s growing up and definitely my favorite Grimm one. So naturally, I loved the movie too pieces.

Well, the story of "Cinderella," much like the original "Snow White," actually goes back to Ancient Greece and the tale of Rhodopis, a Greek slave whose shoe is one day stolen by a bird and dropped into the lap of an Egyptian King, who sets out to find her and marries her in the end.

Versions known to us however are mostly the European ones. Mostly "Cendrillon" by Charles Perrault and "Aschenputtel" by the Brothers Grimm.

"Aschenputtel," like many Grimm takes on fairytales is a lot darker than the Perrault version and why both share similarities, it’s the French one that mostly inspired Disney’s adaptation.

After the war and the package movie era, the Walt Disney Company went back to what inspired their first movie, a classic fairytale with a Princess (or soon-to-be one) as a protagonist, an evil Stepmother and a Prince who falls in love with her. It worked the first time and after years of mild success, "Cinderella" worked its magic and Disney was back to old glory.

The story again follows a simple fairytale structure. A lovely and kind heroine is tormented by her evil stepfamily, her only friends are the animals (mostly mice) living in her house, but with the help of her Fairy Godmother she can go to the royal ball, meet the Prince and marries im in the end.

The story is so popular it has been adapted and modernized countless times before, musicals were created and even a teen movie franchise. It’s timeless in literally every sense.

Now, there are some aspects to break down here.

On a technical level this movie is simply gorgeous. The artwork is lovely, the animation delicate and beautiful and the soundtrack one of Disney‘s most memorable ones.

The characters are introduced very well (I never noticed that the prologue already shows Lucifer as a kitten and Bruno as a puppy). Cinderella is sweet and kind, Anastasia and Drizella jealous and mean-spirited, Lady Tremaine remains one of the most memorable and sinister villains Disney has ever created and the mice serve as comedic sidekicks. Like in "Snow White," the Prince, only named "Prince Charming" does not get the benefit of a personality (that oddly doesn’t happen until Cinderella 3).

For whatever weird reasons the King and his Grand Duke are given more screentime than the Prince, and serve mostly as the comedic relief during the film‘s second act.

Which brings me to the little issue of the mice, mostly represented by Jaq and Gus. Now, don’t get me wrong here. They are adorable and funny and serve the plot well, but as the comedic side characters they almost take over the entire film, getting more focus than Cinderella, which is just an odd filmmaking decision and probably due to the fact that they are supposed to get the attention of even the youngest children in the audience (the fairies in "Sleeping Beauty are a whole different topic though).

And now let me talk about Cinderella or rather defend her character.

These days Cinderella, as she is portrayed here gets a lot of criticism for being to passive, anti-feminist and just a pretty face that gets married off. Countless movies try to "correct" that aspect, even Disney themselves tried it with their 2015 remake and the recently released dumpster fire or "Girlboss" Cinderella took it to a whole new cringeworthy level.

First off, "Cinderella" is a fairytale and plot is the main focus here, not character development. It mostly exists to entertain and tell certain morals to children. Which it does. And second, I don’t think Cinderella is that passive. She doesn’t go around punching people, sassing back at her stepmother or sing songs about she doesn’t need a man to be happy, but she shows a different kind of strength. She endures a lot of pain, while never losing her kindness and optimism. She is strong within, doesn’t let her circumstances break her and when she gets the chance to leave this life, she does. She fights back within her means. She goes to the ball when given her chance, ignoring her Stepmother‘s warnings. She tries to break through the door when being locked up. She is shown to be annoyed at her situation and frustrated, but has no realistic chance to escape.

Let’s also not forget the circumstances. It’s the 15th century (I think?), she is shown to live in this big house, with no other people or village around, what was she supposed to do? Run away with no money, food or anything really? And think about it, she was isolated since childhood, lost both parents and was conditioned to work for her stepmother. Breaking out wasn’t that easy. Unlike other adaptations that add more to her surroundings.

She also doesn’t go to the ball to meet the Prince and marry him, girl just wants to have a good time for once.

So, don’t tell me Cinderella is weak when she shows so much strength.

Rant over.

I still love this movie a lot. It gives me a cozy feeling that reminds me of early childhood and a certain believe in magic and a form of optimism that adulthood mostly can’t preserve. I do prefer other Disney films today, but this one still holds a special place in my heart.

Favorite Character: My girl, Cinderella. I also adore Lucifer the cat for some reason.

Favorite Song: Sing, Sweet Nightingale

Favorite Moment: The whole transformation, mostly the dress

7.5 out of 100 stars.