A Cinderella Story DVD Review:

Living in the attic of a wicked stepmother’s (Coolidge) house, Sam (Duff) was completely exploited by her and her ugly stepsisters. She longed for the day that she would escape to a far away land and finally meet her Prince Charming. Unfortunately this wasn’t some fairy tale but the sad story of Sam’s modern life in L.A. but dreams can really come true, can’t they?

Adapting a classic fairy tale into a modern setting isn’t the most original idea but for its target audience, A Cinderella Story works quite well.

Any girls from ten years old upwards will love this movie because it blatantly panders to everyone one of the their romantic whims. There is a kind and romantic prince figure that doesn’t want to be the star but a writer with his own dreams. There is a girl that no one takes any notice of (Even though she is extremely cute), which, given a makeover, will become a princess. Of course after some adversity they will live happily ever after and prove that dreams do come true.

Hilary Duff is a talented young starlet that just loves these sugary sweet roles. She is the perfect teen idol, friendly and not stupidly beautiful so that every girl can connect with her. This is a role that she has got down to a tee but it is getting to the point that all her roles are starting to blend into one. Can she actually play anything else or is Hilary Duff destined to fade into obscurity as soon as she hits her 20s.

Chad Michael Murray is perfectly fine as love interest Austin, but he does really have much to do other than be the object of Hilary’s affections. Julie Gonzalo fairs abit better as the bitchy Shelby, the most popular girl in school and Austin jealous ex-girlfriend. Dan Byrd is the slightly too camp best friend that we have to believe is not gay and is destined to be with Shelby (in his own mind anyway). Andrea Avery and Madeline Zima are suitably over-the-top as the ugly sisters Gabriella and Brianna.

Jennifer Coolidge steals the show as the dastardly stepmother Fiona. She is everything you’d expect from a power hungry, self-serving wicked stepmother and more, as she spends her time spending her profits on plastic surgery and expensive gift. This is Coolidge at her comedic best making you think that she is too good for a film like this.

A Cinderella Story hits all the right notes for its target audience. The handsome prince, the adorable love story, the boo-able villains and the happy ending are all here for them to enjoy. For everyone else, if they find this glass slipper then they probably just put it back where they found it and run away.

Star Rating = * * * (for the target audience)

Star Rating = * * (For everyone else)

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is very good. Hillary Duff’s fantasy world is vividly brought to life via a crystal clear picture that brings out the colourful version of high school. The sound is also good with the soundtrack filling your speakers and the dialogue been clear throughout.

BONUS FEATURES

Hanging out with Hilary and Friends

The extremely chatty audio commentary comes from stars Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray, JD Pardo, Madeline Zima, Dan Byrd and Andrea Avery. Gossip filled and very fun the cast definitely come across as friends, chatty about their experiences on the film and their characters. They also talk about their High School years, with many of them revealing that they didn’t go to school due to their careers. This is a good commentary track that is a good listen for fans of the film.

Cinderella Couture: The making of a fashionably modern fairytale (8.14 mins)

Costume designer Denise Wingate, hair stylist Linda Arnold, makeup artist Lydia Milars and designer Monique L’huillier talk about the fashion of ‘A Cinderella Story’. Here we look at Hilary Duff’s makeup and style as she transforms from a plain Jane to the bell of the ball.

Find your Prince/Princess Challenge

DJ Astrid joins Hilary and Chad to find out whom you should be dating from the cast of ‘A Cinderella Story’ in this interactive quiz.

‘Our lips are sealed’ Music Video

Hilary Duff and her sister Haylie sing the theme tune from the movie.

Screen Tests (8.49 mins)

Watch the video screen tests of Chad Michael Murray, Andrea Avery, Madeline Zima, Julie Gonzalo and Dan Byrd.

Kids with a Course (1.01 mins)

An advertisement to back the charity raising money for children in hospitals, hostels and shelters

Additional Scenes (2.16 mins)

Four additional scenes showing more of Austin and Shelby, the sisters bribing the judges, the Prince and Princess announcement and a longer end sequence. Without a commentary track or introduction however, we don’t know why these scenes were removed.

Theatrical Trailer (2.14 mins)

Watch the promotional trailer that was shown in cinemas.

OVERALL

Like the film, the DVD is aimed directly at the target audience. With a good commentary and featurettes and games that will delight teenage girls this is a package that will really appeal to them and make this a must buy for their collection. For everyone else, it is worth a rent if you fancy watching a modern day retelling of the fairy tale.

Jamie Kelwick