Cinderella (2015 live-action version) - SPOILER ALERT

When I taught second grade, the unit that was nearest and dearest to my heart was Cinderella. Before delving into this unit for the first time, I had no idea so many different versions of this classic tale existed. It was a favorite of mine and of my students.

It's interesting then, that it took me until 2020 to watch the 2015 live-action version. Maybe it's because I had already left teaching five years before its release. Perhaps I was wanting to leave everything in the past. My finale year of teaching was my most trying one, so that's understandable.

I guess this past Valentine's Day, I felt ready to revisit an old favorite. It's a good movie, that very much sticks to the original tale. I believe that both those who are familiar with the story and those who are just beginning to know it will enjoy the 2015 live-action movie. I loved the acting, the light humor, and the overall messages of the power of courage and kindness, and owning your own heart. "Surely you have a right to your own heart," said Ella to Prince Charming.

I also love that Cinderella is proud of who she is, messiness and all. (Did I tell you that this past January I chose "messy" as my word to embrace this year?) The way Cinderella views herself is evident in the final scene when she finally tells Prince Charming who she is. Even though her given name is Ella, she introduces herself as "Cinderella." That name was previously given to her in disrespect by her stepsisters, but she chooses to embrace it. To me, this makes a bold statement, as in, "Take me as I am, cinders and all." Good for you, Cinderella!!!

As much as I love this tale and the movie, I have one question. It's more about the original cartoon movie than about this movie in particular. Cinderella was so kind, even to her cruel step family. She also loved animals of many kinds.

Why then, was she so mean to the cat?

If this was in the printed version, I don't remember it from my teaching experience. I did show the cartoon version to my students, but I must have blocked out the part about the cat because I didn't realize that was a part of it until after I watched the live-action movie last week. I guess sometimes we choose to remember only what we want to?

Cinderella's negative attitude towards the cat seems out of character for her. That poor feline had a cruel cat mom, so it's no wonder to me why Lucifer was the way he was. I felt like Cinderella could have been more kind to the cat and helped to improve his demeanor. Qandi and I (she watched the movie with me) were hoping throughout the movie that this would happen. No such luck.

That was my only disappointment with the movie, and with the original cartoon. It would have deviated from the original to have a different ending with the cat, but to me that would have been a worthwhile change in the live-action version.

Other than that, this is a great movie. In an era of action-packed adventures that often seem to rule the box office (many of which I love), Cinderella is a refreshing break. Happy endings can sometimes be predictable especially when it's a familiar tale like Cinderella, but I don't think there's anything wrong with predictability. We don't always have to be on the edge of our seats watching a movie. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back, relax, and know that there's a happy ending on its way.

Most prominently, Cinderella delivers the message of courage and kindness. We can never be reminded of this too often. Let's all try to live by Ella's mom's words:

"Have courage and be kind, my darling."