OPINION: New live-action ‘Cinderella’ downgrades from past versions

“Cinderella,” starring Camilla Cabello and Nicholas Galitzine, premiered on Amazon Prime Sept. 3. Director Kay Cannon expressed the style change compared to the original and why she took that approach, “I was excited to make a modern retelling for this new generation that’s significantly different from what I grew up with and what my mother grew up with.” And I can personally tell you Cannon single-handedly ripped apart the image of this classic fairytale and stripped it of its charm. 

This version of the tale Cinderella has many obvious differences from the original story and the 2015 “Cinderella,” such as how and when the prince and Cinderella met. I didn’t like how this scene was made lighter than it was in “Cinderella” (2015). The original reason the prince wanted to see Cinderella again was because she had a different way of thinking from him and opened his eyes and changed his perspective of life. In “Cinderella” (2021) the Prince’s fixation on Cinderella was purely based on the fact that she was funny and had talked back to the King, his father. This change made it bland and caused it to lack substance. It also dismissed Cinderella’s character. 

Aside from the story structure and writing, the acting was as if they were in a Disney Channel Original making the slightly over dramatic lip-syncing fit right in. Also adding the spice of random non-original songs that didn’t necessarily fit was just a bit much and was giving me whiplash from the transitions. 

Ellen Mirojnick was the costume designer not only for “Cinderella” (2021) but also the Cinderella adaptation in 1997. Cabello’s gown had the appearance of a flowy dress but when she moved it looked like it was stiff with the molded shape and a touch of sparkling dust atop it. The sheer off the shoulder look for the sleeves was gorgeous. 

Overall, this was a downgrade from the original as well as “Cinderella” (2015).