‘Cinderella’: 5 Reasons Why It’s The Fairy Tale’s Best Movie Ever

I'm a die-hard fan of Disney's animated version of 'Cinderella,' but after watching the stunning live-action version, I've changed my tune. Here are 5 reasons why the 2015 version is the best take on the princess yet. It's not always wise to take on a fairy tale like Cinderella, given that the story has been told on the big screen countless times, but Kenneth Branagh's 2015 version was just perfect from beginning to end. From Lily James's performance to the romantic chemistry to the overall message, this new take on Cinderella is my favorite movie based on the beloved fairy tale.

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March 14, 2015 4:14PM EDT

‘Cinderella’ Movie: 5 Reasons Why It’s The Fairy Tale’s Best Movie Yet

1. Lily James is able to break out of the Cinderella mold

A lot of times, an actress can get lost in the character of Cinderella (i.e. every female lead in A Cinderella Story). It’s a big name to take on, but Lily James did with ease. By the end of the movie, I saw Cinderella differently than I have after finishing other movies based on the character. This Cinderella was kind but bold. Gracious but not fragile. Lily’s nuanced performance really pushed her to the top in my book.

2. Lily James & Richard Madden’s chemistry

These two were either going to hit or miss. Thankfully, Lily and Richard light up the screen with their insane chemistry. For me, a lot of the chemistry comes from the eyes, and these two said it all with just their eyes. They seemed to see into the depths of each other’s soul when they looked at each other. It was simply magical.

3. The spot-on performances of key characters

Lily and James were great but so was everyone else! I’m going to give a huge shoutout to Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham-Carter who chewed up every scene they were in like it was their only job. I can’t forget about my girl Hayley Atwell, who left me sobbing in the theater after her emotional plea to Ella to “have courage and be kind.”

4. The beautiful, intricate set & costume design

Every single detail of Cinderella, down to the a simple tree branch or china cup design, was perfect. It’s clear that Kenneth and the set design team wanted to make sure this movie was flawless from head to toe. The palace scene took my breath away. And don’t even get me started on the costumes. Every costume was gorgeous and tailor-made for each character.

5. True love conquers all 

At the end of the day, I’m a sucker for love stories. I’m all about soul mates, OTPs and endgame. Every second Cinderella and Kit were apart, my heart hurt. That’s how powerful their love story was to me. Yes, I’ve read and seen the fairy tale a bajillion times, but the way this version told the known story set it apart from all the others.

HollywoodLifers, what did you think of the live-action version of Cinderella? Let me know your thoughts!

— Avery Thompson