How Cinderella (2021) FAILED: Empowerment & Romance

[@danaellerajohnson2674]

Why do people now think that lack of romance => empowerment ?? You can be romantic while also being empowering

[@g8807]

excatly! and dont thing its a bad thing to have romance. If someone does not want romance that is ok but dont make it a bad thing.

[@justajarofchrysanthemums4862]

That's why I like Mulan

[@bluelanternguardianangel8038]

The incredibles and morticia and Gomez Adam's come to my mind

[@justajarofchrysanthemums4862]

@@bluelanternguardianangel8038 YES. Morticia and Gomez were just *chefs kiss*

[@bluelanternguardianangel8038]

@@justajarofchrysanthemums4862 they are everything a marriage should stand for

[@lamb2004]

the fact that camilla herself thinks she’s the first woc to be cinderella is so comical to me when brandy and selena gomez exists 💀

[@cxncxrtmxstxr]

Also from Once Upon A Time

[@rahbeeuh]

Wait, what? She said that nonsense?

[@kiss2cry]

wait seriously??? she said that :O

[@bgcrp2005]

Selena Gomez is a white Latina … she’s not a woman of color babe

[@rahbeeuh]

@@bgcrp2005 I was thinking about that but people throw in whoever they can bc WoC especially in the Cinderella role are so scarce.

[@housecat5958]

Why does Hollywood always think the only way to show feminism is that it has to be related to a career? Feminism in movies should be about embracing your power as a woman and not sacrificing who you are as an individual to be with someone else. “Ever After” actually did this well

[@avanishdutta2658]

Said that a million times, Will say it again. You are the reason. The advent of social media has done this. The studio executives picked up this agenda and now are using it in their movies to push a narrative and pander to the audience. In one way, Social media has did this, and indefinitely, the people too. The rise of this monstrous look of feminism is due to solely by the people and what the studios do? Make movies to entertain people. Eventually this has ruined many movies and will continue to do so for 20 more years. Suffer with it.

[@bubbybets9336]

@@avanishdutta2658 if u dont believe in feminism, you are against equal rights. showcasing feminism is not a negative thing

[@avanishdutta2658]

@@bubbybets9336 Will say it again. I am not against equal rights. I am just against the way they are portrayed in movies. The social media has made it like this, and studios interpreted it in a different way, which has eventually led to these types of movies. But i am still against the audience though.

[@avanishdutta2658]

@@bubbybets9336 I think this is the most insane comment i have seen. I have already said it that i don't want to involve myself with such things. I think movies are more about life and the stories it weaves. Not a bunch of social commentary. There has been many movies in over 40 years where movies with intricate characters and well woven stories have shocked us and left us in bewilderment, happiness or even in tears. You don't need politics in movies. Look at the Godfather for example. It's a story about man's moral downfall and family. It's beautiful and still is obe of the greatest. You don't need politics to define the plot and story but if it's a political story, it's different. P.S. Joker is a brutal character study and a man's fall into madness as he understands that chaos reigns all and freedom is a punchline. And it is based on Taxi Driver and King of comedy. So, smile.

[@bubbybets9336]

@@avanishdutta2658 feminism is about life, not just social commentary

[@trinaq]

At least in "Ella Enchanted" and "Ever After", the Heroine saved herself in the end, and didn't rely on the Prince to empower her.

[@Anna-B]

To be fair, the original Cinderella was in an abusive situation. You wouldn’t tell someone who got help with a similar situation that they didn’t do a good job or whatever

[@bellota_miau]

Those are my favorite versions

[@dangosandlemons]

true. She also saved the prince in both versions ;))

[@VagabondPink]

@@Anna-B Also, considering she also saved herself, even if it's with the help of her animal friends that doesn't mean she's passively waiting. She was resourceful and had to use what she can to escape, ask her bird friends get Bruno the dog to free Jaq and Gus from the cat to get the key and be free, she managed to find a way inside the castle and pose as a servant to meet the prince in Cinderella 3. A prince didn't empower her, in fact the prince barely had any speaking lines and scene showing him in the original (the prince in the third was a show though), her own kindness which lead to her having good friends even if they are just animals did so and help from her situation, and people don't realize that kindness is it's own strength in itself and people don't see how smart Ella is actually.

[@Anna-B]

@@VagabondPink I totally agree with you!

[@vanessamagon8661]

that scene in ''Ever After'' where she has to carry the dude to save him from the bandits is better than the whole 2021 cinderella

[@lamb2004]

yessss this version was more empowering than the one we have now

[@FortunaFavored]

“Come baaaaack, I’ll give your a hoooorse!”

[@TheCrayonMaster]

@@FortunaFavored 😂🤣 I can't not laugh at that line

[@comradekitty3759]

She also knew how to use a sword

[@morganyoung3557]

Ever After is an example of doing a feminist Cinderella the right way, I love Ever After so much.

[@UnrealB]

I think especially when it comes to the abuse in Cinderella, something I liked about the Disney cartoon was it showed that it's okay to ask for help from friends. Talking from experience, when you're a teenager in that situation help is vital, the whole getting out and killing her step-mother is a fantasy, it isn't realistic. Whereas reaching out to friends (in this case animals) is one real way to get yourself out. And that I found really helpful as a child / teenager in an abusive household.

[@morganyoung3557]

I loved that part of the animated Disney Cinderella, I think people should look at Cinderella as being a story about it being a good thing for Cinderella to accept help to get out of an abusive situation over seeing it as Cinderella passively sitting around until help came along. Stories about abuse should really focus on how help from people you care about is one of the best ways to get out of an abusive relationship if you do have people around you that genuinely care.

[@remylabeau5140]

Yes I honestly hate how people try to downplay the original Cinderella. They forget she’s a teenager so she really doesn’t have many options. And especially in the time period The original took place, her options were also limited because she was a female. I also get annoyed with how they make it seem like she was waiting on a prince when she was literally the only character that wasn’t even after the prince. She just was looking for a night off

[@Eriennexton]

Ah, yes, yet another "cinderella is a victim of abuse who happens to be a woman and therefore it is antifeminist for her to be helped/rescued/marry into a better situation with a guy who loves her and will bring her into a family that will treat her much better."

[@UnrealB]

@@morganyoung3557 yes, 100% agree. I'll be honest when I watched movies where a child / teenager was in an abusive situation unrealistic and unhelpful. But I found the Disney Cinderella to be both realistic and less triggering. Cinderella is also a brilliant conversation starter about child rights and how you shouldn't be treated by family. (Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I misplaced my glasses)

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

@@remylabeau5140 And let's not forget she didn't even know he was the prince since when midnight hit, she said, "I haven't met the prince yet" in order to get away showing that unlike her stepfamily and many other women there, she fell for him not his title.

[@brandyloutherback9288]

This movie could've been decent if the writer had tried a little harder! Ella's mother could've made dresses for her as a little girl, and this inspires her to make dresses in a way her mother never could! The prince as King could've also declared Ella the official Royal Dressmaker, and have her realize her dream, and declare his sister Gwen as official Regent while he was away with Ella! I'm thinking harder about this movie than the writer did, and that's pretty sad!

[@dariakey5318]

It's anyway about prince doing something for her. I'm not fully against his involvement, however, she might have succeed herself first. Like, sell her first dress herself and have him inspired, get some moderate popularity among women in her nighbourhood, then - in kingdom as everyone was at that ball, so royalties could see Cinderella's dresses on peasant women and be admired. But she couldn't go herself as the step-mother out of jealosy ruined Ella's own dress so she couldn't present her sawing and get noticed alongside with what she had made. Omg, I'm thinking about feminist merit more than screenwrights did.... And prince's sister could have done something significant to make the king appreciate her more and give her the thron.

[@rahbeeuh]

Someone should hire you for the inevitable remake

[@MissCaraMint]

@@dariakey5318 I mean the gender of the prince isn’t that important is it? Make her and the princess fall in love instead and have them support their mutual dreams. Or maybe a close working friendship ending with Cinderella being the princesses dressmaker, and the princess being the heir. And then you do need a prince who doesn’t want to rule who can just be happy to be a free spirit who can travel the world if he wants to. But yeah have it about Cinderella’s relationship with the princess either romantic or platonic.

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

@@MissCaraMint Yeah, the princess did feel shoehorned in honestly. She didn't really have that much prescence other than being the spare so the audience doesn't question the prince's morality for skipping out on his entire kingdom to be with Ella.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

All drama needs conflict, @@annieandelsieofarendelle3294 .

[@therandomshow_]

I don't understand why we needed another "girlboss" Cinderella. We already had Hilliary Duff going to law school or something, telling her prince she didn't need him, but wanted him on her side. Her getting her family diner back. It was a great film and fits that "girl boss" Cinderella thing, that this film lacked so badly.

[@JustAHorrorShow]

The "empowerment" in this movie is so lazy. Like... we should let women work and own businesses? Wow soooooo revolutionary. Honestly this movie is 40 years late. I thought we were way past this. I can't relate to the misogyny Cinderella faces in this movie. It's so cartoonish. Pretty much only incels talk like that about or to women. Gwen's struggles were actually more relatable to me. Just the fact that people are so dismissive of her ideas is something I can relate to. I still think Gwen lacked depth as a character though. I'm getting so tired of these shallow attempts at "female empowerment" movies. A strong female character doesn't have to be able to physically overpower men or be a girlboss. The writers of these movies seem to completely misunderstand what misogyny and feminism really is. What a character needs to be "strong", regardless of gender, is depth, complexity and agency. Making a female character a girlboss or physically strong does not automatically make them complex and give them agency, it does not automatically make them a strong character. Too many writers don't understand this and so here we are still asking for strong female characters and not getting them. Throwing it out there... Ever After is the best Cinderella adaptation. This is a great example of what a strong female character looks like. She's complex, she has depth, and despite her unfortunate circumstances she does have a lot of agency. Her romance with the prince is really cute and developed slowly and quite realistically.

[@andreacall3024]

Completely agree with all of this. I'm surprised she talked about Ella Enchanted but not Ever After.

[@TheCrayonMaster]

Yes!!! Completely agree with everything you said, and I also agree that Ever After is the best adaptation!

[@ma.2089]

That’s cuz the ppl who wrote or work on these things don’t actually know or believe in feminism. Kinda similar to how ppl aren’t really feminists and are basically victim blamers if they don’t think Cinderella is a feminist character and good role model

[@namayra299]

I was so frustrated by the whole thing! The people who have access to this movie have absolutely no problem with women working so why was this even a focus? It felt so out of touch with reality, so tone deaf, so ... irritating! Plus seamstress? That was the one profession women were totally accepted doing even during that time period so what exactly was the point they were making?

[@thaboiinblue]

As someone who vehemently refuses to watch this movie because of Cabello’s history with anti blackness, I was very happy to know the movie didn’t do well for that reason. But the Cinderella lover in me (especially Brady and Whitney Houston’s version and Ella Enchanted) is sad that they greenlit this version in the first place. The Lily James version was also really awesome and it wasn’t even released that long ago, did we need another one now..? Side note, I have this weird thing where even if I refuse to watch something, I don’t mind seeing reviews or people talking about it, especially if the reception was bad. I’m like: ooooh! Tell me how it crashed and burned! 😅

[@Marinlss]

I agree with every single thing you said lol I particularly like when there's a trend to watch a bad movie and trash it, so I can watch many perspectives on why X thing failed 😂

[@JediLadyMisty]

I love reading/watching reviews for media that I’ll never consume myself. I’ve never read or seen GoT but I’ve watched countless videos about them and really enjoy the theory videos and adding my two cents from what I’ve gathered from all the videos I’ve seen.

[@rahbeeuh]

@@JediLadyMisty I've watched GoT and I LOVE/LOVED watching videos trashing it bc when you look back over the whole thing you realize it was only good when GRRM was involved and him leaving just showed that.

[@rahbeeuh]

@Serena Keyes "it was a long time ago" is the reason I keep seeing but I don't accept as an actual valid answer.

[@maameyaaasamoah6092]

Exactly

[@sofiarodriguez6768]

Not sure if this is accurate or not but when I last watched Ella enchanted I noticed that in the scene where she was able to overcome not stabbing him the entire room they are in are filled with mirrors and Ella is looking at herself in the mirror when she says she won't do it. I understood it as she's now obeying herself, and that she was smart enough that in such a difficult situation she was able to finally find a loophole!

[@MissCaraMint]

In the book it's just her will asserting it's dominance finally because of high emotion basically, and the fact that she is part fairy. That might have helped somehow.

[@dramamole]

Sorry it's better in the book. It's this internal fight she's having with herself. Just fighting for the ability to say no. Because she knows if she says yes it will end up hurting Char. She thinks back on every awful thing she was ever ordered to do and she's able to find the will to say the one word she's always wanted to say. Damn the book is so good

[@MrSupertallblackman]

First, Brandy is the only Cinderella I care about. Second, Cinderella was a ready a strong character. he was kind, hardworking, good natured. She didn't let the bad thing around her change the good person she was and because she was such a good person that she got her happy ending with help from her friends and loved ones. Why are these not looked at as strong and empowering traits?

[@steldalcien8699]

Becausw ppl don't like traditional soft feminism they want the "girl boss" type which is usually more bark than bite honestly. 😂 I love my OG Cinderella like that girl was frickin abused as a child to adulthood, humiliated, shamed and reduced to a slave servant, and still ended up as the kindest and most optimistic person in the kingdom. She didn't dream to be with the prince she wanted happiness and just a day off from her abusive family and basically maid duties. But she found more than that in that night. I love it, I love her💖 2021 Cinderella can never. 💅🏾

[@sofiarodriguez6768]

@@steldalcien8699 I don't think that's true though. Look at the backlash of this movie people hate that they aren't sticking to the fact that Cinderella has this incredibly feminine strength. Everyone hates the girlboss nature of this film. Traditional femininity isn't the problem people have most times it's that traditional femininity is the only femininity allowed(in conservative areas).

[@steldalcien8699]

@@sofiarodriguez6768 Oh sorry if I said it wrong the first line I'm being sarcastic HAHAHA I'm just echoing the hardcore feminists "girl boss" obsession that they will almost eat up immediately HAHAHA plus their sort of pick-me agenda against girly girls or soft fems which were evident from the earlier years but thankfully those internalized misogynistic views are now being called out. So yeah. I was just trying to echo what these "woke girl boss" are coming from which is responsible for trash remakes such as this movie HAHA

[@eglantinepapeau1582]

@@steldalcien8699 👍

[@BeeKee404]

Agreed but I wanted to also say, please at least give Drew Barrymore's Ever After a chance. That's another really good Cinderella adaption. Ella Enchanted is another fun adaption.

[@cricketcalin]

Honestly, everything this movie tried to do what Ella Enchanted already did far better

[@janhavi1977]

This is kind of an unpopular opinion I think, but the book Ella Enchanted is way, way better than the movie. The movie is actually quite nonsensical in my opinion, but the book is very intelligently written. If you haven't read it, I would highly recommend.

[@cricketcalin]

@@janhavi1977 oh I love the book, it's actually one of my favorites of all time, but honestly I consider the book and movie to be two different entities with the same name (easier than viewing it as an adaptation). I'm not saying the movie was a work of art but when comparing it to this Cinderella, it does everything better with far less preaching and more feminism. Book Ella Enchanted is one of the best adaptations of Cinderella I have ever read, if not the best. But the movie is a good time and if we're sticking to film adaptations, I think 2021 Cinderella tried to do a lot of what movie Ella Enchanted already did and the 2021 version did not hold up in comparison.

[@janhavi1977]

@@cricketcalin yeah I’m sure the movie is better than this new Cinderella remake. But the book was actually quite clever and the movie unnecessarily dumbed down and ridiculous in comparison. Have you seen Dominic Noble’s Lost in Adaptation video for Ella Enchanted? It’s great, I would recommend you check it out if you haven’t already!

[@dramamole]

@@janhavi1977 oh thank you thank you THANK YOU! I've read my original copy of Ella Enchanted so much the book is in pieces. I can't stand the movie, just ruined it, made it silly instead of the emotional downright masterpiece it is. If you haven't read Fairest, which is the author's take on Sleeping Beauty, you should. The main character is the adopted sister of Areida, her friend from finishing school. The only annoying part is that the timeline doesn't add up with Ella Enchanted at all but it's still a great take on the character.

[@janhavi1977]

@@dramamole no I actually haven’t read any other Gail Carson Levine books but I would love to! Fairest does sound good and I think she also has a book called Ever

[@Anna-B]

The actress playing the step mother is Broadway legend Idina Menzel! She was in Wicked, and she’s Elsa in frozen

[@pupax2000]

You mean Adele Dazeem ;)

[@Anna-B]

@@pupax2000 no… am I missing something?

[@mattymariah]

@@Anna-B John Travolta mispronounced her name as Adele Dazeem at the Oscars when introducing her to sing.

[@Anna-B]

@@mattymariah aww, ok

[@rahbeeuh]

@@mattymariah he was so confident he pronounced it correctly lol

[@o0BlackSand0o]

With Cinderella adaptations, especially modern day ones, I've notice there is a trend to make the step mother and mostly the step sisters incompetent. They are ugly, dumb, untalented, and dislikable by society in the movie. There is no real challenge for Cinderella to fight against them because she has the talent. Cinderella if the shoe fits (I think that's what it's called) was definitely the worst for it in the last few years. Also, with Ella Enchanted I read her breaking the curse as her refusing to betray who she was with an act you can't come back from. There's no undoing death but you can make amends to your friend

[@alexandrialeonora6542]

I agree about the stepmother and stepsisters. Recently, more and more I've been thinking about how that stereotype (evil = ugly / not conventionally attractive, dumb, or both). It's such a horrible message for young girls, that if you aren't conventionally attractive, you are no better than an evil stepmother or a "brainless" stepsister. What I want to see is a Cinderella movie where Cinderella is the one who ISN'T conventionally attractive - maybe she has unusually big feet, which is why she's the only one who fits her glass slipper (coming from a big-footed girl, here). That would have been something different and perhaps interesting compared to what we got here.

[@o0BlackSand0o]

@@alexandrialeonora6542 as a fellow big footed girl I'd love that too. And Ever After is one of the few where the step-sister and step-mother fit more into the social standards. The step-sister has been raised to be a high born lady, someone it wouldn't be hard to see being arranged for the prince. And they are quite smart, but their ego and their personalities are their eventual downfall.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

...Ugly? Actually, the stepsisters are usually conventionally attractive making Cinderella look like a shirking violet.

[@tahlia__nerds_out]

@@o0BlackSand0o the mean stepsister in Ever After is absolutely gorgeous and poised (when she wants to be). You can definitely feel that she could be a real threat to Danielle in regards to the prince. Best evil stepsister. I like the evil stepmother both in Ever After and in Lily James’ Cinderella; both are lovely women who are manipulative and abusive

[@tahlia__nerds_out]

Ladies with large feet unite! Her having flat feet could work too…

[@Forty2Times]

This movie had a lot of things wrong with it. A LOT. But the biggest was (in my opinion) erasing what made Cinderella so special to so many people. She was trapped in a situation with no choices. And despite the mental health issues that came with being abused for so long, she chose to have one night for herself and go to the ball. "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." She met a man, they fell in love and she was able to escape. My favorite adaptation was "Just Ella," and it takes place after the Ball. Cinderella is in the palace, engaged to the prince. She realizes that her life as the future Queen was even more abusive and restrictive than before, just with prettier dresses. She decides that she escaped her life once, she can do it again. And thru a series of shitty events, and with pure resilient, she builds a life for herself where she can choose her own path. ROMANCE WAS INCLUDED!!

[@scarletgiry3958]

I love that book!

[@darthwolfX2]

That's actually interesting I've never heard of that book.

[@Anna-B]

Haha, you said the same things I did! Something I’ve noticed is that people don’t like that the original Cinderella was helped by the prince to get out of her situation. Cinderella was in an abusive situation. You wouldn’t tell someone in real life who got help with a similar situation that they didn’t do a good job or whatever because they didn’t know what to do, so they just tried to make the best of the situation. It’s ok to not like the original, but please don’t criticize it for something that she can’t help

[@SocialExperiment232]

Absolutely! She was also a 15 year old orphan. Like where was she supposed to go? People hate on the story because they think women are just too weak to fight back when any person in that situation would have just had to take it until they were old enough to run away and find work in a different kingdom. So much victim blaming when she was just an abused kid.

[@JediLadyMisty]

My mom’s ex husband was verbally and emotionally abusive. She stayed partly for their son and partly because she wanted the marriage to work But when he told her to leave she couldn’t and had to call a friend to come and help her pack a few things and leave.

[@Anna-B]

@@JediLadyMisty aw, I’m glad she was able to get out eventually

[@namayra299]

I feel like people mistake strength for not needing anyone's help which is such a dangerous narrative to set. Asking and accepting help requires strength too and at its core it's all about agency! That imo is what empowerment is about. It's having the right to make decisions and live your life as you want to. Cinderella was an in awful situation and she made the decision to be kind and still positive. That required great strength. She wasn't looking for a hero.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

I won't hate on Cinderella for being rescued but I like when other, modern versions make her more assertive for the story's sake. We all like lead characters that are not so passive.

[@nikitaweaver2100]

You take a beloved classic about inner strength, overcoming abuse/trauma, kindness in all circumstances, and love and make an adaptation that removes - all of of that. Yeah, not the best direction to go in.

[@lollydolly4590]

I feel like this is the least feminist Cinderella adaptation I’ve seen

[@jjjjj4787]

I wish they’d make one woman working storyline that wasn’t her wanting to be a fashion designer… why not an architect or something damn 😟

[@BeccasaurousRex270]

Yes or like an inventor or a doctor who has modern ideas. It even fits in perfectly with the time period since those occupations were limited to men only.

[@rahbeeuh]

Nah bc then they have to put in more of an effort.

[@jjjjj4787]

@@rahbeeuh facts 😅

[@rahbeeuh]

@@jjjjj4787 😂😂😂

[@tatsgato]

It's not a cinderella story, but I read this one manga where the female lead's dream job was as a construction worker, specifically working with heavy machinery. It wasn't perfect, but it's one of my favorite series since it was refreshing to see something other than office worker, fashion designer, or like baker or something. She even stayed working in that field, it didn't end with her leaving her job after starting a family like what usually happens.

[@vsprsgdby]

12:19 Actually that’s kind of how Camila sings. She is definitely the weakest singer in the movie and she was the weakest singer in Fifth Harmony, I genuinely don’t know how she became the most popular in the group. It’s interesting that you interpreted the scene in Ella Enchanted that way. I’ve never thought of it as being the power of true love, more that this was Ella’s breaking point right? All her life she’s been told what to do and forced to do it and she didn’t have help from Lucinda and so she’d tired and angry. She just doesn’t want to do it anymore. Or like her realizing she has more power than she thinks she does despite the curse. I think the flashbacks she has during the scene is what makes me interpret it that way.

[@ellay2715]

I love that scene in Ella Enchanted. Also this took me years to figure out but she's looking in the mirror and ordering herself to not be obedient anymore 😳

[@aashimaar]

I always thought it was because she was the thinnest tbh, just a manifestation of hollywood's problem with anyone who isn't tiny

[@lamb2004]

i think the reason why she’s the most popular member was bc she’s always fangirling on twitter and trying so hard to be quirky to relate to fans back then and people just eat it up.

[@genericusername702]

The scene where Ella breaks her own curse had me crying 😭 watching her tell herself she will no longer be obedient and taking the power back and finding a clever loophole is just *chefs kiss*

[@emilysarah8312]

From what I read somewhere, in Ella Enchanted, she stopped herself by telling herself no in the mirror. I never noticed that, but I think the fact that her own intelligence cured her was a good message.

[@crissyjayfae]

A feminist Cinderella? Just watch Ever After. Drew Barrymore’s Cinderella was so good.

[@natashabosnjak2157]

The mice and birds were the ones that sewed her dress in the original, so her being some incredible seamstress was like…ok? I guess? Judging how abusive her step mother and sisters were, I don’t think she was given much free time to pursue side hobbies. That storyline felt a bit messy for me due to those reasons. This is speaking as a fashion designer who had to attend years of schooling to be able to successfully design and sew one dress to completion, never mind ball gown!

[@elsie8757]

When my friend and I watched this movie, we kept asking "Why would you bother to make a Cinderella adaptation at all when you clearly have nothing but disdain for the story of Cinderella?" Literally every plot element that tied the movie to Cinderella seemed like it was only put in reluctantly (the romance especially). What baffled us the most was how spectacularly... _un-awful_ Cinderella's home life was. The stepfamily is literally shown doing their own chores in three separate scenes, while Cinderella's only responsibility seems to be making breakfast, which she's shown doing, like, once in the beginning of the movie and then never again. Otherwise, she apparently has unlimited free time to hang out in her huge, clean, brightly-lit bedroom designing dresses, and unlimited funds to go out and buy yards and yards of colorful, sparkly fabric to make said dresses with! The narrator says they call her Cinderella because she's always covered in cinders from the fireplace, while the camera zooms in on her looking completely spotless! The stepmother states multiple times that she wants ALL her daughters, including Cinderella, to marry well! The conflict comes from Cinderella wanting to be a career woman instead!! The other part that was hilarious to us was what you pointed out-- that her awkward half-joke while sitting on the statue was what caused the prince's awestruck love-at-first-sight moment for her. Like, SERIOUSLY? x'D

[@EstherRab]

Her life being pretty nice with her step family also was the thing that bothered me the most about this adaptation. My friend and I were constantly talking about how weird it is for her to have this much free time, always having nice and clean clothes on, hair and makeup being perfect and flawless... and they weren’t even mean to her?

[@tas64]

The Cinderella 2015 was the best, most magical live-action and nothing can beat it imo!

[@rahbeeuh]

1997 Cinderella would like to have a word 💛

[@MissSaigon29]

Agree

[@jandm4ever716]

@@rahbeeuh I do love that movie, but a reminder that storyline wise it was just a film version of the stage play, so they couldn’t really be unique in the way they told the story, other than having a diverse cast and the amazing Whitney Huston.

[@rahbeeuh]

@@jandm4ever716 fair enough

[@BeckyEnchanted]

@@jandm4ever716 Ever After would like to have a word

[@velvetdawson617]

my favourite Cinderella adaptation will forever be the one with Lily James, that gown was BREATHTAKING

[@trinaq]

Agreed, that dress was gorgeous, though it was probably difficult to move about in at times!

[@musicalblonde9187]

That gown was absolute perfection! Lily James said it took 45 minutes to get in and out of the gown!

[@janhavi1977]

Agreed. The 2015 Cinderella is easily the best Disney live action remake, and one of the best adaptations. The gown was one of the best things I've ever seen! And the chemistry between Lily James and Richard Madden was fantastic! Also, if you haven't read the book Ella Enchanted, I would highly recommend it. It's my favorite fairy-tale retelling. I despise the movie with a burning passion, but the book is great.

[@eglantinepapeau1582]

the ball gown dress HAS to be perfect , the dress itself is a strong plot point in a cinderella movie . indeed this movie has the worst dress ever

[@avanishdutta2658]

@@trinaq Thank Kenneth Branagh for that. You know he was serious when he made King henry, much ado about nothing and Hamlet adaptations in late 80's and early 90's. You know he's pretty serious about that.

[@bekah728]

If you haven't you should watch Ever After with Drew Barrymore. I always enjoyed that adaption.

[@angelaholmes8888]

It's my favorite version along with a Cinderella story with Hillary duff 💝💖

[@jasminewilliams1673]

It’s by far the best storyline!

[@ladywhistledownton]

Ever after is the best non-magic iteration of the Cinderella fable.

[@genericusername702]

Ever after is SPECTSCULAR!!

[@alexjames7144]

As soon as I saw James Corden was in it the writing was on the wall. Knew it was going to be awful immediately

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

May I ask, why do you dislike him?

[@alexjames7144]

@@marlonmoncrieffe0728 his face, and also his voice and also his personality

[@natasha2112616]

I always assumed that in Ella enchanted she broke the curse by using it and ordering herself to no longer be obedient. And the mirror being there so she could. I do think if that movie was made now she would have broken it at a different more personal moment

[@JediLadyMisty]

In the book she broke the curse because she refused to allow it to endanger him and ruin their lives and the kingdom. It’s really hilarious as she’s yelling that she won’t marry the prince, once she refuses his marriage proposal, kisses him while proclaiming that she won’t marry him and she only realizes that the curse is broken when she answers his question why she refused his proposal.

[@meaghancyrus6078]

@@JediLadyMisty I love that part in the book, her running to the door and yelling out, "I shan't marry the prince!" and then kissing him, yeah, so good. Also, telling Hattie to shut it was so satisfying.

[@JediLadyMisty]

@@meaghancyrus6078 and Char is just so confused why she refused his proposal and proclaiming that she isn’t going to marry him left and right.

[@meaghancyrus6078]

@@JediLadyMisty But he's so sweet about it. "She doesn't have to marry me, but why not if you love me?"

[@dramamole]

Yeah the book is so much better. She's just running around yelling that she won't marry him, and she's disobeying orders from Hattie and she doesn't even realize what she's doing she just knows that she's saved the man she loves. Ugh it's just so satisfying. And then when she says "when you asked me a few minutes ago I was still too young to marry. I am older now, so much older that I will beg you to marry me" and then she tries to kneel and he doesn't let her and just kisses her and I'm just swooning right now. Also the scene where they are sliding down the banisters, damn what an adorable love story

[@Speculativedude]

11:20, That point is made perfectly in "Ever After" when Henry says he has no desire to be King, and Danielle points out how much good he could do if he were King. Such a better adaptation.

[@spreadhappiness3250]

They could have made this its own story or even in adaption of another princess story I want people to leave Cinderella alone. I'm so tired of hearing that she should have got out of her abuse on her own to be a strong woman

[@dianaay6131]

I've never been a fan of Camila's singing not on Fifth Harmony or solo. It never felt/feels cohesive... and sometimes it just makes good beats just sound terrible, like the new single she released... I could not pinpoint why, but after watching this reaction I can see why... she makes it appear she doesn't know how to sing... and would have expected someone that has been in the industry for so long to show mayor improvement, but I can't see that. Like, why does she have to make vocal run every single time, when it is not necessary? Also, like did they keep those terrible singing clips because no matter how many times they retaked it, it was the same disastrous result? Also, bring back REAL actors, not any celebrity or influencer! I'm tired!

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

There are some singer-turned-actors I like (ex. Mandy Moore) but yeah, I do dislike the trend of trained actors being shoved aside for social media celebrities and non-trained people in other entertainment fields like music and sports.

[@SocialExperiment232]

My god you hit all the right notes! I completely agree I love Cinderella and I always hate how people belittle her because she was a 16 year old child in an abusive home that somehow still manages to remain hopeful and happy. It is such a good story of hope and perseverance and it gets reduced to a woman who needed help. I think it’s social internalized misogyny that makes people always see women as weak rather than understanding that any child I n her situation wouldn’t have been able to do much until they were a bit older and they could maybe get a job in a different kingdom. Also the point you mention about them sort of trivializing romance as if it was a silly femenine weakness. The original was a fantasy and movies like this try to ridicule it as if we weren’t allowed dreams or hopes and is if miracles didn’t actually happen when they definitely do. The inclusion was very stereotypical and felt forced and fan servicing. Like they think oh we definitely need to mention this for the genZ. Even the “not like the other girls” trope is so overused and just insulting at this point. Like yeah she trips a lot so she’s quirky… just such and unnecessary movie and so obviously a cash grab. Poor Camila is gonna have trouble getting taken seriously if she keeps doing movies like this.

[@brandyloutherback9288]

Angelica Matilda: Cinderella is 19 according to Disney canon. Just FYI.

[@vadalia3860]

The problem I have with this relatively new take on the classic Disney Cinderella movie- that it's a good example for abused girls & women which shows persevering, surviving, and staying a good person despite a difficult home situation is enough- is that that was never the intention of the movie. Classic Cinderella doesn't have a very active or empowering role in that movie, not because the (all-male) creators were trying to pursuing a specific storyline that would speak to girls in abusive homes, but because it was the 1950s & the sexism of the day precluded her having a very active role in the story. Like, I find it interesting that modern day people have come up with a new interpretation of the movie but to act like it's anything except a 21st century invention feels disingenuous to me.

[@SocialExperiment232]

@@vadalia3860 hmmm… i get your point. It does seem like a modern take but i don’t know that’s just the impression I always got from it as a child. I’m not sure if it’s a popular take, and in not sure if I’m correct in it. I just saw that she was an orphan that was being abused and she dreamed and hoped that someday her dreams would come true. I know she wasn’t like actively articulating this message but as a child I was able to relate to her due to the situation in my own life. It’s a fairy tale that’s had many different versions and interpretations throughout time but the animated Disney classic always left me feeling this way. I just don’t get how someone can see a girl in this situation and say “bitch please you should have run away and saved yourself” or act like the longing for love and romance is a silly feminine weakness and that one should long for a high paying job instead. Longing for love is not bad and I’ve personally found it to be a very positive in my life and although I now enjoy a pretty decent life I still value my husband and baby the most out of all the “success” I’ve had. Just my opinion though, everybody is different.

[@elenpena42564]

Yeah, people forget that along with being emotionally and physically abused, Cinderella was clearly financially abuse, being dependant of her stepmother and really not having the means to escape her situation (especially since she was kept inside of the house without contact with the outside world)

[@chloecowan5869]

Have you ever watched Ever After? It’s my absolute FAVORITE version of Cinderella. Like they made a movie that happened to be along the lines of Cinderella and not a movie made to BE Cinderella. It’s a gorgeous movie and holy shit the DIALOGUE is like nothing else and the soundtrack is beautiful. I 10/10 recommend to literally anyone with a god damn heart beat.

[@simplesimply3753]

It’s my favorite version of Cinderella and honestly empowered me so much as a kid.

[@katgrace153]

Hear me out: live action Cinderella 3 where they follow the animated script as close as possible- simply because I want to watch Charming jump out the window in live action. Himbo Charming is the best Charming

[@SerenaSkybourne]

What Disney movie do you want to see as a live remake? 😍 I want to see rapunzel

[@asdfgh161001]

The black cauldron just so it get more respect 🙏 😫 also getting HIM the iconic best villain ever live would be great

[@trinaq]

Probably "Frozen", or "The Princess and the Frog!"

[@angelaholmes8888]

Pocahontas I definitely would love to see a live action remake on that I don't think they have done one yet 😍😘🤔

[@mattymariah]

Can’t wait till May 2023 for The Little Mermaid. I have a feeling it’s going to be better than the other live actions, besides maybe Cinderella. I think the 2015 version is nearly perfect.

[@isabelzuka4438]

I actually want them to stop with the live action remakes, I really dislike them 😅

[@AlyH89]

My favorite version is brandy and Whitney Houston version. It was so good! I love how the friendship between the godmother and Cinderella was kept through the end of the movie. The music was phenomenal the singing was of course incredible. All around excellent version. This version the singing was awful (yes the singing to herself was like omg that’s the take you chose to use? And also the rolling “r” in somebody to love like do not do Freddie dirty like that) and the storyline of girl power being shoved down our throats. All for girl power but as you mentioned ever after Ella enchanted even the regular versions still had that element. I just hated this version. Can we please stop with the remakes??? Does anyone have any original ideas?

[@pmf1324]

Disrupting stereotypes, especially in movies, is SO important. Changing the perception of the princess who is waiting for her prince is important too. But with this extremist and ideological feminism we sink into the most absolute caricatures I’ve ever seen in the cinema. Sacrificing a scenaristic coherence to convey the message that for a woman love is not enough important compared to a professional life is representative of the decline and the unbalanced vision that society develops towards life and romanticism. A woman can welcome a man of power and love into her life without losting herself and her integrity. That Cinderella is just an another advertising with abusive inclusiveness without any finesse, subtlety, so a pure marketing without interest.

[@itscjrodgers]

Ella Enchanted was based off a book! In the book, she and the prince were friends growing up and she broke the curse when the Prince asked her to marry her. "Say you'll marry me" and the thought of her curse and that someone could force her to hurt him was what helped her break the curse. She was so scared that she could be used to hurt him, her best friend and true love, that it was what made her break her curse.

[@brigettefagan939]

Ahhhh thank you so much for bringing up the book! It is one of my favorite books in the world, and I'm always so happy when it gets some love over the movie.

[@Shiirow]

The stepmother came off as almost sympathetic, if I had to deal with the brat that is cinderella, Id be angry or disgruntled all the time too. They made the Prince even more of a cardboard cutout than his disney counterpart as well. It was all "Im cinderella, I will be completely selfish and everyone needs to change for me, now". So many more interesting unconventional retellings of Cinderella, this one is destined to be forgotten on a dusty shelf somewhere.

[@toasthall7027]

For me "Ever after" is such a good example of how to live your life for everyone. Know yourself, be kind, strive to be better, have passion and love in your life. Each character show different versions of these. Each Character is fully realised and rooted in reality. There is moments of heart break, joy, being scared, being brave. Most importantly they care for others.

[@theblakeney]

I love your takeaway of just follow your dreams because look at all these hacks getting their art published: if they can do it, you can do it

[@neivilde.1242]

you know what's weird but i kinda want? since the live-action 2015 cinderella was disney's version of their classic animated movie, i really want them to do a live-action of cinderella 3: a twist in time with the same cast as the 2015 one. like yes i wanna see a time travel live-action cinderella what do you mean?

[@andrear4954]

I second this! That movie was fantastic

[@Jashes_]

My favourite Cinderella story is 'The Slipper and the Rose" from 1976. I watch it with my mother every year because she loves the main actor, Richard Chamberlain. And the songs in the movie are rather catchy!

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

Save yourself the agony & just watch ‘Ever After’ - it will *always* be my favourite ‘Cinderella’; the world was exquisitely realised - Danielle/ Cinderella was an awesome protagonist, in that she was both feminine, strong, intelligent & mature, & worked as a great contrast against both her initially ignorant, uninterested, irresponsible, & somewhat childish prince- **&** the step-sister love-rival... Dougray Scott’s arc as Prince Henri was really good- *&* we had mother-lovin’ Da Vinci as the ‘fairy godmother’-esque figure!

[@EstherRab]

Ever after is the best Cinderella movie ever made and I will die on this hill

[@jessicariggs2352]

Ever After is my all time favorite Cinderella story, although I Love all the actors in the 2015 adaption!

[@isabelzuka4438]

It's hard to bring something new to the table because there are so many Cinderella adaptations but you know what didn't happen yet and I personally really want it to happen? A lesbian Cinderella movie. That would be something new and progressive ❤

[@RedEveTillDawn]

I think that’s be cute

[@lunasolifer9988]

i also would like a genderchanged story but who knows maybe its too forward of me to want it :D

[@RedEveTillDawn]

@@lunasolifer9988 like gender swap?

[@lunasolifer9988]

@@RedEveTillDawn yes!!! i could not for the life of me think of the name so i just wrote genderchange :D

[@MissCaraMint]

@@lunasolifer9988 Cinderfella is not a new movie, but a good example of exactly that.

[@anovelbeauty]

The Dragon Slippers book series did the "I want to be a seamstress, not a princess" plot much better (mostly because there were specific reasons why she denied the title but still accepted the responsibilities that came with her roles).... and it's even cinderella inspired.

[@npsck1802]

22:11 in defense of ella enchanted, maybe it wasn’t that platonic love was weaker than romantic love. Maybe it was the gravity of the action she was told to do. I mean, breaking up with a friend is not as horrible as stabbing someone to death.

[@wickedthing6068]

“Ever After” outsold

[@franks_fiction]

One of the best motivation speeches for creatives: look how much terrible stuff is coming out now 😅

[@jjjjj4787]

She said “how do you screw this up” haha straight facts girl, who knows. Another great video 💕🥰

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thanks gorg

[@prinitykat]

Something that has always made me tired is I’m an actor. I’ve been training in singing for 7 years (theatrically training meaning musical style) I’ve been acting in semi-professional productions in my area, and I’ve been in conservatory like training as well as currently grinding to get into a good conservatory. And I’m tired of seeing people who don’t care about the industry who are only famous get things for free that so many other people like me and so many others grind for. It’s kind of insulting. I don’t care who gets the roles as long as they have training and are passionate about the industry, but somehow we’ve been degraded to the point where all that hard work doesn’t matter.

[@jandm4ever716]

My favorite live action Cinderella is the 2015 one with Lily James. I love how they didn’t change Ella’s character to appease oversensitive “feminists”. She was gentle and kind and forgiving. Her sprit remained unbroken even through after all the abuse she went through. She even forgave her stepmother at the end! The motto that Ella lived by was have courage and be kind, but I think another way to phrase it is You have to have courage to be kind, because it can be hard to be kind in a world that seems against you, and a weaker person might give in their desires to get revenge. But Ella doesn’t, she allows herself to be the bigger person, and her weapon is her kindness. I know being kind to those who are unkind to you is unpopular is this day in age, but I think if we tried more the world would be a better place. And being kind and forgiving doesn’t mean you condone the persons actions, it means you haven’t allowed yourself to become bitter, it allows you to move on. Also, the chemistry between Kit and Ella was beautiful! That dance scene always gives me the chills, the way that they look at each other 😍

[@gingerkatherina]

At least "he's all that" was somewhat cute and fun to watch and not trying to preach their agenda to me. I prefer it over cinderella anytime.

[@jovanakrivokapic]

I think EVERY point you made was like you took it out of my jumbled head and made it make sense lmao love ya, love to see your channel grow babe

[@SerenaSkybourne]

You’re the sweetest!

[@isabelnoyer5893]

@@SerenaSkybourne Hey Serena! Have you watched Ever After (1998)? I was surprised you didn't mention it in this video!! (Or maybe you did but I didn't pick it up haha) If you haven't watched it I think you would LOVE it!! :)

[@mariar550]

I recently watch the pll and i really like listening to you, the best cinderella movie for me is the Drew Barrymore "Ever After" really like her passion for knowledge and better place to live in as Utopia

[@PaolaRL]

You’re SPOT ON when you say that in the past five years there has been a declined in quality: agenda and propaganda have replaced quality in storytelling

[@MustBe1980]

Not even just that, the use of famous people (influencers for example) that do not have a background in acting or singing makes these movies bad, too. Rather than use a no-name who does have a background, they’d rather use a known person even if they cannot

[@TheEverGrowingRosey-333]

Personally Ever After starring Drew Barrymore is my favorite Cinderella movie, she has some more masculine traits but she also has a passion for reading, personal freedom, & was still kind as well. She also has a vulnerability to her character, like she even admits that she wants her stepmother’s approval & love the way many abuse victims want. It’s why I actually am not a big fan of the Disney live action remake because I felt it was too much like Ever After & didn’t execute the same ideas as well as the older film did.

[@annaoberon3244]

If you love Cinderella adaptations, see if you can find a dubbed or subbed version of Three Wishes for Cinderella or Tři oříšky pro Popelku. It's a Czechoslovak/East German adaptation from 1973 and it's soo incredibly beautiful. It also shows us an empowered and strong willed Cinderella without undermining the romance of it. I really believe you would love it!

[@MissCaraMint]

ah yes. It is tradition in Norway to watch that movie every Christmas, badly dubbed into Norwegian by this one guy doing all the characters of course.

[@IamAlmostRealWitch]

yes, that is my favourite Cinderella adaptation.

[@tiredishere]

I didn't realize they were singing "We are apart" and not "We are a pot" 💀

[@meganb1013]

Sameeee, I’m a big fan of the original Cinderella and some of the good remakes as well and it really sucks when they don’t do remakes well because it just feels unnecessary - also wanted to say I love your outfit xx

[@jamiekamihachi3135]

Remember the direct to video animated Cinderella movie where the King tells the Prince not to take another step down the stairs or else and the Prince just shrugs and jumps out the window? Where is that Prince?!

[@anonim4412]

My favorite Cinderella movie is actually an old live action version from my country (the Czech Republic). I feelclike they did much better job making it feminist. If you can find Three wishes for cinderella (Tři oříšky pro popelku) somewhere just watch it.

[@jessicariggs2352]

I would love to see a live action Anastasia!

[@diarahaas7472]

There's a Czech Cinderella movie where she meets the prince in the forest, stops him from killing a deer and later crashes his hunting party. That's how they bond and I love that. She has her own interests and hobbies

[@IamAlmostRealWitch]

yes. it is called "Tři oříšky pro Popelku ", if anyone is interested. It is German-Czech movie and it is really great.

[@aminahabdul-haqq5788]

i LOVE how honest you are in your reviews!!!! Honestly, sometimes i disagree with alot of your comments on many things but i keep coming back to watch because you're just so dang honest and i love it!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Haha aww I always do my best to be completely honest. Even if it might upset a few people 😂♥️

[@sunnycastiglioni7512]

I haven't watched this movie because I didn't even know it existed until I started watching reviews of it, and I have seen enough reviews by now that I probably don't need to see it. Idina Menzel is the only reason I'd even consider watching it. A lot of your complaints have to do with "girlboss" feminism. To be honest, "girlboss" feminism does have its place, but it definitely doesn't stand alone. It's 2021, no one is giving the side-eye to an 18-year-old girl going through the admissions process for university instead of getting married and popping out babies or a twenty-something going out for a promotion in their field. And I'm starting to feel like these movie creators only know of one field that appeals to women, and it's always ✨fashion✨, and the fashion hobby is almost always incorporated the exact same way every time. It doesn't even provide depth to the character, the way they do it, it just ties their hobby to a goal. "I like to do the thing with the fabric and the needles and the stitching, I would like to own a dress shop please." It's not even like they wrote this story to take place in some alternate universe where a dress is such a unique article of clothing, a town like this probably has a dress maker working out of their own house every ten feet. Do the writers think women just hear "fashion" and "dress" and "career" and get overwhelmed with empowerment? It's just so generic. Not to mention that this is at least the second fashion-centric "girlboss" movie to come out of Disney in the last few months, and I didn't even watch Cruella because I didn't feel like that angle would add very much. Not every story needs to be manipulated into a "girlboss" fairytale. We can just let Cinderella be a product of its time. However, I do think the message of this story is confusing and damaging. It treats "becoming a princess" like a frivolous pursuit, as if it's not a whole-ass career? Like the job description is just to look pretty and wave? Princesses have a lot of political power and a lot of responsibility. The men who write these stories have...no idea what it means to empower women.

[@morganyoung3557]

My favorite Cinderella adaptation will always be Ever After. You have a strong willed and feminist Cinderella character in Danielle, but you can also understand why she was forced to stay with her stepmother and stepsisters because she literally had no other options and she still has the desire to have a mother, which was something that she needed to learn that she could never get. Anjelica Huston was a perfect stepmother because her character was so cruel, she physically and emotionally abused Danielle. She also treats her servants as literal pieces of property that she can just sell in order to pay off her debts. I also just love the costumes in the movie especially the outfit Danielle wears to the ball with angelic wings that Leonardo da Vinci himself made for her. I also love that Prince Henry’s love for Danielle comes from genuine admiration for her. I also love the live action Disney Cinderella too. Like Ever After, the ball gown is just perfection. I also love how this Cinderella’s strength comes from the fact that she is kind. We need more stories where kindness is praised as a virtue that we should strive for. Cate Blanchett is also another really good choice for the stepmother because the movie shows how cruel and abusive she is to Cinderella. I also thought that Lily James and Richard Madden had wonderful chemistry as Cinderella and the prince. I am also such a big fan of Helena Bonham Carter, so it was very delightful to see her as the Fairy Godmother. Cinderella is a fairy tale I love and I can’t find really any reason to see this movie aside from Idina Menzel, someone I have been a fan of since her days on Broadway with Rent and Wicked as well as Elsa being one of my favorite animated Disney leading ladies.

[@christinar.7955]

The reason Ella was able to break the curse was because she TOLD herself to stop being obedient! Not because of the true love thing :) At least that's how I've always thought of it. She told herself not to obey, so she had to do it. Loophole!

[@Midknight_Fluff]

13:00, now that you mentioned... It would be interesting to see Cinderella tackling a heavier workload than just... Making dresses? like I don't know? Shoe-making? Glass-blower ? Or even Glass-maker? Hence why this new retellings has anything to do with her glass slippers???

[@SoWhosGae]

I would suggest everybody to watch the foreign versions of Cinderella too. Even though the general story is the same, the execution and everything else is far more interesting than Hollywood versions. The only interesting Hollywood live action ones (except for the Disney) is Ever After, The Slipper and the Rose and that Cinderella made for TV movie in 2000. All the other worth a damn are from other countries.

[@chiaralinnea4335]

the czecho-slovakian three hazelnuts version is the bessst! It's very of its time but so beautiful and I love how feisty and free-spirited cinderella is in there. I feel like this is one of the few movies that really encapsulated the character

[@Morgan21590]

@@chiaralinnea4335 Yess! That one is definitely my favorite. Not only Aschenbrödel and the prince, but all the characters are so well done.

[@IamAlmostRealWitch]

yes. it is called "Tři oříšky pro Popelku ", if anyone is interested.

[@rachamanda13]

Penelope subverts the "love from a man fixes everything" idea so well! one of my fav movies tbh

[@rahbeeuh]

The Christina Ricci movie?

[@TiBunCosplay]

Now, it has been years since I read it, so my memory of it is a bit rusty, but the book Ella Enchanted, Ella doesn't save herself through true love. That was just one of the many changes the movie adaption made (The movie and book can't be compared as the same thing in a lot of aspects because the movie decided to try to modernize in a very Shrek-like way which wasn't in the book) In the book she and the Prince were childhood friends so there was already a strong foundation for their relationship when they reunited as adults and became love interests. There was an order to kill the Prince, or whatever, but her breaking the curse was more focused on gaining her free will than being in love. If you liked the movie, I highly suggest checking out the book because it's also very good.

[@Dremireads]

Ever After was BY FAR the best Cinderella adaption I've ever seen. Just my opinion, but it was so great and made the story feel original, which is sooooo rare for a story that's been retold hundreds of times.

[@luanavasconcelos1497]

As usual, Serena’s Analysis of the movie is spot on and brings up all the issues I myself had with it. However, one thing I have to disagree is that the movie doesn't have any components that sets it apart from the other renditions of Cinderella. The inclusion of Gwendolen, the princes’s sister, thus offering an alternative heir to the throne is about the only thing that this movie has that other versions lack. I also think Serena missed the point about why he abdicated to the throne. It wasn't just about not wanting to be king, it was because he saw that Gwendolyn not only wanted the throne more than he did but he believed she would make a better leader.

[@elenpena42564]

Omg, I really recommend you to check out the book of Ella Enchanted!! It's so good! It's very very different than the movie, I consider them completely different stories (both very enjoyable but not a great adaptation) but honestly the book is kind of way better

[@BeeKee404]

"First feminist Cinderella?" Obviously they haven't heard of Drew Barrymore's Ever After or even Ella Enchanted.

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

You could argue that Cinderella was always feminist since all she wanted was to not be abused by her stepfamily anymore.

[@LilyShimizu]

Great video, I just have one little caveat. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to suggest that Ella Enchanted insinuated that Ella broke the curse based on how strong her romantic feelings were and comparing that to when she couldn’t break it to save her friendship. No, I think the true reason she broke free in that moment was not based on “true love” but the fact that she literally would have killed him if she couldn’t break free. She was pushed to an extreme life or death situation, his blood would be on her hands, and I think if she had been ordered to kill, really anyone else, but especially someone she loved, whether romantically or platonically, she could have broken it then too.

[@issyparker8038]

Since you love the movie version, would you consider doing a movie/book comparsion to Ella Enchanted? I'd love to hear your opinion on it! Anyway, awesome video as always! 😊👍

[@laurabuchanan2180]

Seconded! I haven't revisited in a long time, but I loved the book as a kid and remember feeling that the movie didn't do it full justice.

[@tiddlesletoitoise]

I thought the message of this movie was great and it had good intentions but really why on earth does it need to be in the cinderella storyline it could literally be an original story

[@ZarinaRae]

Serena, can you please do a video deep diving into Enchanted? I am obsessed with that movie, and I’m really happy you enjoy it too!!

[@daisydaisy0121]

Watched withcindy ‘s reaction video earlier this week😭🤣🤣 Now ready for this glorious deep dive Lol

[@BeeKee404]

Regarding when Ella brote the obediente curse, I see it more as she had to look at herself in the reflection and strongly say she no longer will be obedient. She had to build the right kind of inter strength and look at herself and tell herself to no longer be obedient.

[@azurastar3223]

You left out one of the most empowering Cinderella movies out there-Ever After. Its the movie that the Disney live action wanted to be. The first two interactions between Cinderella and her prince shows their strengths and their flaws. Daniel first meets the prince when he is attempting to run away from home and his horse throws a shoe. He takes her deceased father's horse from the stable and she sees him as she's gathering apples in the orchard. She throws an apple at his head, knocking him off the horse. She accuses him off theft and, upon realizing he's the prince, apologized. He gives her coin to silence her which she uses to buy back one of the servents who had been sold into slavery to play of the stepmother's debt. Dressed as a noble she meets the prince again and chastises him for this treatment of the common man. Later, he is about to be killed by Gypsies and she demands a horse, their leader informs her she can have whatever she can carry. She chooses to carry the prince away over her shoulder. Her Fairy Godmother is Leonardo Da Vinci and the servants who raised her. The stepmother as shown to be human and almost shows a bit of remorse, but as still cruel. The stepsisters aren't ugly outside, the eldest is ville to the core despite being pretty and the youngest is shown to be one step above Daniel, she is even forced to make breakfast on one instance, when Daniel refuses to work. She is strong willed, knows how to use a sword, and threw a punch, smart, and all the while not apposed to being feminine. It is a lovely movie. If you haven't seen it, you should.

[@breezy3392]

21:40 In Ella Enchanted, Ella actually broke the curse by ordering herself in the mirror to no longer be obedient, not by the power of true love

[@Laurenjoinsyoutube]

Have you seen the Cinderella with Brandy and Whitney Houston? Because you didn’t bring it up but you brought up all the others

[@morganyoung3557]

Them trying to claim that this is the first feminist version of Cinderella is a real insult to Ever After.

[@LarrietDarling]

Amazon: "How can we wrap capitalism in a faux-feminist package?"

[@sweetlikedae_]

every time i watch your videos, i agree with what you’re saying ! u have such a great way of expressing your thoughts and feelings towards something 💗 btw that dress or blouse you’re wearing looks super cute :)

[@SerenaSkybourne]

love u xx

[@velvetdawson617]

i would love to see you talk about the fashion on pretty little liars! Or famous movies like Titanic and Mean Girls ....

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Yes I’ve prefilmed a vid about the pll fashion xx

[@starsalight]

If Ella Enchanted is your favorite version of Cinderella, I'm begging you to read the book. The scene where she breaks the curse is her refusing to marry the prince so that her stepmother can't take control of the kingdom.

[@screamingladybug6006]

I’m at the 5 minute mark so excuse me if you cover this later on. We already have a feminist Cinderella. Drew Barrymore. Ever After was beautifully done with feminist views. Perfect casting, gorgeous costume design, and a witty, daring, and loveable Cinderella. Did they forget? Or did they really think they could match or out-do Ever After? Because I heavily doubt it. Ever After is a gem and you can not convince me otherwise.

[@Stormy_Cloud]

How could you not like the Cinderella adaptation with Whitney Houston and Brandy?

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

Something that bothers me with this movie is that she refuses to marry the prince in order to have a career and her dresses are HORRIBLE. Ugly af. At least make her an extremely talented seamstress!

[@DeMafiaGirl]

Omg have you made a video on Enchanted yet? You should omg its one of my biggest nostalgias

[@lilliankiambo2891]

One of my major disagreements with this movie was how the Prince was written. Cinderella wants to be a fashion designer and a seamstress and all that. But what does the Prince want? Does he not have dreams, thoughts, aspirations, desires? Is he just going to tag along as Cinderella works? What did he want? And what brings them together? What bonds them? Why does he love her so much that he is willing to give up his crown to go with her? Or is she just his scapegoat? I don't understand

[@annieandelsieofarendelle3294]

I mean why not make his arc that he needs to stop throwing off his responsibilities and actually start acting like a future king and Ella's influence helps him realize that.

[@EstherRab]

One thing I noticed about “girl boss” movies like this one that also include romance is that the male lead is almost always terribly flat. It’s as if I’m order to have a “strong” female lead you have to make the male one as bland and uninteresting as humanly possible. So annoying. Him having dreams and passions and interests wouldn’t take away from hers.

[@seph4707]

What's lame to me is that the original cinderella gets a lot of hate when it has a great message about kindness coming back to you. Being a good person in the face of harsh circumstances takes strength all its own, and you will be rewarded for it!

[@LeonardoDiCapri-Sun]

I decided to give this film a chance against my better judgement. 20 seconds into that opening number I had to turn it off lol.