Ray J's Review - Amazon Prime's "Cinderella"

While the backbone of the film does feel a bit weak at times, I overall really enjoyed Amazon Prime's adaptation of "Cinderella". I've never been a huge fan of the Cinderella fairy tale. Was never crazy about the original animated Disney version (although I do love me some Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo), and I thought the live action Disney Cinderella in 2015 was fine, but I still found it a bit boring. The Brandy/Whitney Houston made for TV movie version has always been my favorite! What sparked my interest about this new take though was when I found it was going to be a jukebox musical, with covers of songs, and mashups. That is right up my alley! Plus it is directed by Kay Cannon, who wrote all three "Pitch Perfect" films. Love those movies! I cannot stress enough...do not go in to viewing this movie expecting Disney magic - it's not Disney - it's a unique Cinderella story all it's own😅

I'm sure most everyone knows the story of Cinderella....an orphaned young woman that lives with her super mean stepmother, and dimwitted stepsisters...forced to clean all day...until she has has a night of fate full of bibbidi bobbidi boo, glass slippers, and ends up getting her happily ever after with the prince from the ball. Well as advertised, this is not your typical Cinderella! In this take on this classic tale, we have Ella (played by pop music singer Camila Cabello), and she isn't concerned if one day her prince will come or not! No! Ella has a passion for fashion, and wants to design her own dresses, plus has a vision to have her own business in the village "Dresses by Ella". Of course you can't have a Cinderella story without the stepmother, and stepsisters. Idina Menzel (who you may know as the voice of Elsa from just a little Disney movie called "Frozen", and the original cast of "Wicked" on Broadway) plays the stepmother Vivian, and Maddie Ballio (from NBC's "Hairspray Live") plays the one stepsister Malvolia, while Charlotte Spencer plays the other stepsister, Narissa. Moving along to the prince...after being hounded over and over and over by his father (played by Pierce Brosnan) it is announced by the town crier via "Hamilton" rap style that Prince Robert (played by Nicholas Galitzine), is looking for a bride, and soon it's announced that a ball will be held so he can find his future wife. After a meeting of fate in the town village trying to get villagers to purchase a dress she has designed, Ella runs into Prince Robert, and of course his charming self convinces her to come to the ball, but we all know what happens after that! Vivian forbids her from going, and after crying and singing a reprise for like two minutes, she is visited by a butterfly that was in the middle of metamorphosis in the basement the last time she saw it. That butterfly, just happens to be her

Fab G, aka Fabulous Godmother...yes we have a gender neutral fairy godmother in this version (played by Billy Porter). Instead of giving Ella some Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, he spreads the magic with a thrilling cover of Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Shining Star", then sends her on her way to the ball. Now from here on out is where things begin to get interesting plot wise for this Cinderella story, but I will say to you all that if you enjoy musicals, and are familiar with the story, I highly recommend giving this film at least a chance! I mean there is way more music in this version than there was in Disney's 2015 live action, which was pretty magical, but I overall thought was a bore.

I was really looking forward to this movie, and I probably had my expectations a little too high but honestly this was such a feel good film, and I can't stop listening to the soundtrack! It's on repeat! The music is for sure one of this movie's strongest elements👏👏 You have a couple original songs, one for Ella (performed by Camila Cabello), "A Million To One"...which is a pop ballad about her looking to the future and realizing her dreams of owning her own dress shop...and you have a song for the stepmother Vivian (performed by Idina Menzel), "Dream Girl" an edgy pop rock song that comes just after a twist in story we learn regarding her past. As far as covers....they are all so awesome, and the arrangements give me life to be honest haha😄🎶🎧 The movie opens with an awesome mashup of "Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson, and "You Gotta Be" by Des'ree, and also features covers of "Somebody To Love" by Queen, "Material Girl" by Madonna (which Idina Menzel absolutely nails), "Am I Wrong" by Nico and Vinz, as I mentioned before "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind, and Fire, another awesome mashup featuring "Whatta Man" by Salt & Peppa/En Vogue, and "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, and the finale "Let's Get Loud" originally by Jennifer Lopez.

As far as the acting, I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised by pop music singer Camila Cabello as this "Girl Boss" Cinderella! She was very humorous, and charming! I also thought Idina Menzel was excellent too!

So all in all, if it's a million to one, I do recommend taking a chance on Amazon Prime's twist on "Cinderella"...just make sure to manage your expectations for certain aspects, and you will be all set! The soundtrack will not disappoint you🎶😉

Amazon Prime's "Cinderella" is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and playing in limited movie theaters🙂

The Ray J's Review rating is:

4.5 out of 5 lime green hearts

💚💚💚💚 & 1/2