The best reviewer of Cinderella (2015) might be a child, for its message of kindness and courage wrapped in the Disney classic and illuminated through the eyes and smiles of Lily James (Ella), Richard Madden ("Mr. Kit"), Haley Atwell (Ella's mother) et al. calls out the beauty and virtue of child-like simplicity. I think the great accomplishment of Lily James is her non-verbal communication of this central theme to "have courage and be kind" in the midst of the vicissitudes of life, just as Cate Blanchett's non-verbal communication of jaded bitterness masterfully supplies the melancholy contrast of devious conniving. James brings love into her little world while Blanchett's legacy is her two spoiled rotten daughters played marvelously by Holliday Granger and Sophie McShera. This remake brings a lot of humor to help get the message across-- primarily in Helen Botham Carter, the hairy Godfather, I mean, the fairy Godmother-- whose quirky kindness charms and delights. The animals too, as Ella's constant companions, add to the humor. The casting in this film utilizes the actors' talents quite well. I found myself watching this over and over again, at least parts of it, for the sheer joy of its message. In a world of negativity, there is something very real about simplicity and purity, if only in a love fantasy.
A final note must be added about the music-- it contributes its share to the film's message most beautifully.