Fantastic for its Time, Not so Much Now

Rating: 4/10 (13 June 2018)

The 1940s was not a particularly grand decade for the Walt Disney Company. With the exception of Dumbo, all their animated features were financial failures and wouldn't be regarded as timeless classics until years later. As a result, the company could only make package films due to budget cuts and WWII screwing over their studio. It wouldn't be until later on that decade when Walt not only took a risk and made another feature length animated film, an adaptation of the tale of Cinderella, but also put the studio on a gamble. If the movie succeeded, the company would prosper, if not then it would shut down...what resulted was the former. Alongside being lauded back in the day by audiences and critics alike, Cinderella is to this day seen as one of the studio's most iconic features. As for what I think....well, let's just say that I respect it more than I actually like.
The biggest issue with Cinderella is the story, which suffers from overly long pacing, too many subplots, and an overall straightforward arch. While the film sets up the lives of Cinderella and her step family decently enough, it isn't until roughly 20 minutes until the plot actually happens. Beforehand, it's just Cinderella working and singing, and the mice messing around with the cat. In addition, we spend too much time on the mice that we don't get to know enough of Cinderella outside of her wishing beyond her wildest dreams for a better life. I don't mind the mice per se and they do have their moments, but less is more. Admittedly, the film does pick up a little once we get to the palace, which has the audience in awe as much as Cindy herself...too bad the prince has even less character than the one in Snow White. The less said about the infamous slipper plot hole the better.
As for the other characters, while Lady Tremaine does have quite the malicious mood and evil grin, when you get down to it, there isn't all that much to her. You could argue most of her backstory being unexplained makes her more mysterious, but the fact that she does all these horrid things to Cinderella without a proper reason just makes her seem evil....because. If anything, the step sisters stand out more from how humorous they can get, and that scene where they tear off Cinderella's dress is quite a heartbreaking scene within itself. Also, while the prince is blander than paper, the king and royal duke do make a rather entertaining couple given their witty banter and arguments, and their distinct personalities create some really genuine laughs for the audience. Oh, and the fairy godmother is kind and generous in her own right, even if she's little more than a plot device.
Now while the story isn't all that great and the characters are a mixed bag, the animation is fantastically well crafted. It's been stated that nearly 90% of the movie was done with rotoscoping, and it shows in the final product as the movements are very smooth and the characters are realistically designed without crossing into the uncanny valley. As for the animation that's done from scratch, the mice and other animals have a rather cartoony style that perfectly defines their look and personalities. Even if we spend too much time on the animals than we should have, at least the animators made fun usage of playing around with their colorful movements and designs. The usage of a more dark color scheme whenever Lady Tremaine is around is another added touch of depth, making the more bright and vibrant colors of the palace much more astonishing in contrast. Speaking of which, the backgrounds display a quaint European style that looks well detailed, sharp and finesse, even if the environments are only a village and a castle.
Finally, the songs in this movie range from forgettable to touching, but they at least serve the plot. A Dream is a Wish does a good job summing up Cinderella's desires outside of her fantasies, the mice's work song is the film's most catchy and upbeat harmony with fun antics of the mice making Cindy's dress, and Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo still holds up for how whimsical, enchanting and downright helpful it is. After all that hard work for nothing, it's great that somebody else is generous enough to make Cindy's wish come true, and it's hard not to song along to. The rest I unfortunately barely remember, as they felt sweet but standard, like it's the typical Disney charm we know and have heard better in other songs. Those other songs aren't by any means bad, and the singing from the likes of Ilene Woods, Mike Douglass, Verna Felton and more are delightful and stunning, they just didn't leave much of an impact on me like the rest.
So overall, I can definitely understand the appeal of Cinderella for its whimsical charm, lovable side characters, beautiful animation, and a charming representation of what could happen if your dreams finally came true. However, I personally just can't get into it due to the boring pacing, bland main characters, hit or miss songs and predictable plot. If you love this movie with all your heart, keep on having fun with it, there's no stopping you. Me personally though, I'd skip this film in a heartbeat over other Disney films any day....that being said, I can't wait to see Cindy in Wreck it Ralph 2, get stoked for that.