DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 76 minutes, two disc special edition set, deleted scenes, Cinderella Stories, the Making Of Cinderella, The Cinderella That Almost Was, theatrical trailers, DVD-ROM content, and more

STUDIO: Disney

RELEASE DATE: 10-4-2005

Once upon a time, Disney made some really wonderful animated films. Some animated films today have some enjoyment, but they don't match up to the old classics like Snow White and CINDERELLA. If Walt Disney didn't take the gamble with making CINDERELLA and if it wasn't a big success, Disney might not have been around today. Disney didn't have a big hit since Snow White and Cinderella is the film that saved Walt's empire from disappearing for good.

The story of Cinderella appealed to Walt Disney because it was a rags to riches story.  Cinderella is a young woman who grows up under the harsh treatment of her evil stepmother and her two ugly stepsisters.  She has become a servant in her own house after her father dies when she was a little girl.  She dreams and she is kind to everyone.  The animals even try to help her out so that she can go to the Palace Ball (where she may meet the man of her dreams).  Will she get there or will she need the magic of her fairy godmother?  It is an enjoyable gem with feeling and humor.   It is a little magical in a way.

VIDEO: 1.33:1 Full Frame

Lowry Digital has done a breathtaking job with restoring CINDERELLA. The quality of the print of the DVD is flawless.

AUDIO: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French, Spanish

Subtitles: English,

Sound is crystal clear.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The amount of extras on this DVD is mind boogling. Depending on what you're looking for whether it is DVD-ROM game and activities content for the kids (you will have to install the InterActual DVD program on your DVD-ROM to play it) or a look at the making of the film or hear stuff that didn't make the film (songs that didn't make the cut and storyboards for two scenes that weren't animated (one even has the original audio demo track), you will be pleased.

The Cinderella stories of moments and stars in sport history was skippable for me for the first disc. The second disc had the content that really interested me. The Dancing On the Cloud deleted scene is a look at a scene that was ultimately replaced by a different sequence near the end of the film. THE CINDERELLA THAT NEVER WAS featurette takes a look at the development process that Disney went through as Walt would revisit it from time to time from various scripts to a character that was cut to whether the animals would talk. FROM RAGS TO RICHES: THE MAKING OF CINDERELLA can be played as one featurette or as separate featurettes whether it is the story of the gamble Disney took since they were barely holding in or which animators drew which characters or the voices of the film. The other thing that stuck out were the inclusion of the original theatrical trailer and the TV spots for the film as it was re-released over the years.

Other content on the second disc includes an old Cinderella animated short Walt did, Still Art gallery, Mickey Mouse Club excerpt, radio programs, unused songs, other music, the above mentioned DVD content (design a gown, palace, or your own princess bedroom. Even learn how to live and act like royalty), and more.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The two disc Special Edition of CINDERELLA is a beautiful DVD set done with extreme care from the restoration work of the animated film itself to the extras.

this DVD Review is (c)10-4-2005 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com and look for additional content (and news/updates) at http://www.livejournal.com/users/enterlinemedia