Wrong emphasis, good only for little kids

Rating: 4/10 (28 March 2020)

It may seem blasphemous to say that Disney didn't properly handle a classic fairy tale, but I think it's true in this case. The emphasis on the cute talking animals is all wrong. This is supposed to be a story about Cinderella, not talking mice, etc. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo is a cute song, and A Dream Is A Wish is nice (it doesn't mention love at all), but they do not convey the true romantic element that is crucial to the story. The prince is given practically no character development. She's supposed to fall in love with him because he dances and is a prince? That's it? What really made up my mind about the Disney effort is watching the 1965 TV version with Lesley Ann Warren. The Rodgers and Hammerstein songs in it are magnificent, truly conveying the romantic passion, desire and love of a man and a woman for each other, as well as the romantic idealism of the story. The Disney songs can't hold a candle to them. The prince is given good character development. We see HIS loneliness and desire to find his true love. We see that he is kind and gracious and thoughtful and gentle. He is given a scene where he expresses a desire not to be seen as a "prize" to be won, but a man to be loved. The 1965 version is the timeless classic for all hopeless romantics. The Disney version is for the little kiddies wanting to see something cute.