Cinderella, a household name for centuries, presents her story yet again in this newly updated fairytale movie. It stars popular actress Lily James as Cinderella, who previously starred in Downton Abbey, and Richard Madden as the prince, who appears in the Game of Thrones series. The story of Cinderella, told many times since the original was released each containing something slightly different. How could yet another movie change what all of those before told?

Disney tells the same story about a young girl who lost her mother and father. This young girl named Ella, is left with her cruel stepmother and ignorant step sisters and becomes their servant. Cinderella soon meets the prince and lives happily ever after, but Cinderella faces many obstacles along the way.

Everything appears as if Cinderella really does live in a small kingdom somewhere in this world and we got to see a snippet of her life. Changing animation to real people in this film allows Cinderella’s story to come to life. The movie automatically catches your attention with an opening scene of young Ella living a wonderful life with her mother and father and I immediately got attached to the family and their beautiful castle-like house. I was on the verge of tears along with Ella as her parents passed away leaving such a beautiful house almost completely abandoned. On the other hand, a large smile grew on my face when she met her fairy godmother. Simply put, this movie is a roller coaster of emotions thanks to its cast filled with magnificent acting.

Aside from the simplistic yet intriguing plot of the movie, the detailing in the clothing is phenomenal. Cinderella’s tattered blue dress illustrated not only the obvious hard work she to endures, but it still shows her elegance and kindness. She later wore her iconic blue ball gown which was magnificently large, round and very elegant. The dress highlighted her silhouette by framing her torso then poofing out at the bottom. Additionally, the stepmother dressed in the most sophisticated and expensive looking clothes illustrating her control. The stepsisters dressed in whimsical and odd patterned dresses clearly showing their playful yet dull-witted personalities. The prince always dressed so proper as a prince should with gold buttons and long suit jackets all matching the appropriate occasion.

All of these magnificent costumes blended so well with the amazing architecture with every piece matching wonderfully with the beautiful castle. Bright colored dresses filled the large marble castle bringing it to life. The castle was so large and clean showing its elegance and priority. Cinderella’s house, looked like a miniature castle from the outside with gorgeous stone and a pointed top. The interior is decorated with tasteful furniture from the time period and many personal photos of family members illustrating the long history of the house.

Finally, the special effects did not fail to impress. The most spectacular display is shown when the fairy godmother changes normal objects into Cinderella’s carriage for the ball. A small pumpkin grows to the size of a carriage, lizards and a goose turn into men, and miniature mice turn into horses. Gold trim sparkled around the carriage as it was forming. Each leg of the mice grew into the large leg of a trusty steed and the large beak of the goose slowly morphed into a mans nose. All of this happens before your eyes letting the impossible come to life.

Despite all of these magnificent features, there is one thing I wish was different. I wish Cinderella’s mice friends could speak as they do in the original animation. Gus-Gus and his fellow mice still assisted Cinderella through the movie, but only by their actions. They unroll twine for her to sew a dress and open her window for the prince to hear her singing, but all without words. Cinderella's stepmother's cat, Lucifer, only interacted with the mice a few times compared to the more lengthy scenes of their interactions in the original film.

Cinderella, an originally animated movie, is brought to life with the additions of such an amazing cast, costumes, set, and effects. I was surprised by how beautiful this movie truly was. Each and every detail added so much character and emotion to the movie that I believe the original film lacked. Although it does tell the same story, it shows Cinderella’s story in a new light.