Toon Talk: Cinderella III
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(c) Disney
More spells and lies are cast as our gal Cindy fights for her man, who (despite being hexed) manages at least one more dimension then last time; he even gets some swashbuckling adventure in, sliding down a ship’s sail, Errol Flynn style. Will everything be set right in time for (another) “happily ever after�?? What do you think?
While firmly set in the over-merchandised tradition of the Disney Princess line, the movie delivers with some better-then-average show tunes (the opening number, “Practically Perfect�?, is practically Ashman-esque, while the requisite “I want�? ballad, “More Than a Dream�?, is destined for tween ring tones for months to come) and elaborate set pieces ready made for animated action scenes (a creative revisiting of the iconic pumpkin coach sequence feels straight out of Sleepy Hollow). The attempts of slapstick humor with the ungainly stepsisters and mousey sidekicks gets out of hand at times, but at least Jaq and Gus (Corey Burton) make up for it with their very own show-stopping duet (they even get an encore!).
Not as clever as that other “alternate reality�? take on a Disney classic, The Lion King 1 ½, Cinderella III is still a charming diversion, not to mention one nifty “What If …?�? story.
On the other hand, the bonus features are mostly disposable. Aside from the “Fast Play�? option (and a look at the sparkling new Walt Disney Pictures logo at the start of the main feature), all we’re given is a tedious DVD game (“Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Choose�?, with a peek at “Cinderella’s Ballroom�? for those with a DVD-ROM) and two commercials … oops, featurettes … on yet another Disney Princess DVD and the Disney Cruise Line show Cinderella: Twice Charmed, which shares plot similarities with this Twist in Time.
The most interesting bonus is the music video of the end credit song, “I Still Believe�?, sung by Hayden Panettiere. Not that the song or video is anything special; I just kept imagining that the winsome starlet would impale herself on one of the white picket fences on display and then magically heal herself like she does as the cheerleader on Heroes …
Toon Talk Rating: B
(c) Disney
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In this ‘Toon Talk’ feature, I will briefly highlight a recommended film or DVD, outside of the Disney universe, of similar interest to the main subject. Modernized Mythical Maiden Drew Barrymore stars in Ever After (Fox, 1998), a decidedly feminist take on the Cinderella legend that is nevertheless swooningly romantic. Barrymore’s “Danielle�? is a free-spirited tomboy in no need of rescuing, least of all by the resident prince charming, Henry (played by Dougray Scott, seemingly a million years from his current role on Desperate Housewives). Anjelica Huston chews ample scenery as the “wicked stepmother�?, an inevitable casting choice if there ever was one. Directed by Andy Tennant and co-starring Jeanne Moreau, Melanie Lynskey and Richard O’Brien; DVD available from 20th Century Fox Home Video. |
Coming Soon:
- Two kids dream up an imaginary wonderland in Bridge to Terabithia, a new family fantasy based on the award-winning novel (February 16).
- Return to Never Land once more with the Platinum Edition release of Peter Pan (March 6).
- Meet the Robinsons in … Meet the Robinsons, Disney’s latest computer animated fantasy comedy (March 30).
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TOON TALK AWARDS WATCH Congratulations to Cars, winner of the Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics and Producers Guild of America awards for Animated Feature; guess those dancing penguins better start watching their backs. Cars is also nominated for the Animated Feature award at both the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTAs, February 11) and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (the Oscars, February 25), where Randy Newman was also nominated for Original Song for “Our Town�?. Pixar also received an Oscar nomination in the Animated Short category for Gary Rydstrom’s Lifted. Also nominated in that category is Disney’s The Little Matchgirl from director Roger Allers and producer Don Hahn. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest also received nods from the BAFTAs (Production Design, Costume Design, Sound, Special Visual Effects, Make-Up & Hair and the “Rising Star�? award for Naomie Harris) and the Oscars (Art Direction, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects and Sound Editing), as well as nominations from the Cinema Audio Society, Art Directors and Costume Designers Guilds (all three February 17). Pirates also seized the award for Outstanding Visual Effects from the International Press Academy Satellite Awards, while High School Musical’s Kenny Ortega won the Directors Guild of America award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs. On the other end of the spectrum, two of Disney’s worst movies from last year are “honored�? with nominations from the Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as the “Razzies�? (February 24). Tim Allen was recognized as a “Worst Actor�? nominee for The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Clause and The Shaggy Dog, as well as the non-Disney Zoom, while Jack Frost himself, Martin Short, is up for “Worst Supporting Actor�?. Both actors share the nod for “Worst Screen Couple�?, while both Santa and Shaggy are up for “Worst Sequel�? and “Worst Remake�?, respectively, and both are nominated for “Worst Excuse for Family Entertainment�?. Ouch … |
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-- Kirby C. Holt
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Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted February 6, 2007