Cinema Tuesdays Review

Off to the Ball, or: How to Market a Girly Movie to Everyone
By Nathan Cone

Corporate synergy is in high gear on the new Platinum Edition DVD of Walt Disney's "Cinderella." From the presence of Disney-owned ABC's "Extreme Makeover," to the appearance of "Good Morning America" film critic Joel Siegel, to an ESPN feature (I'll explain that later), to the Disney Channel itself, the Mouse wants to make sure there's something for everyone on this disc -- even the dads, who may groan at having to plop "Cinderella" in for the umpteenth time for their little one. But despite all the Disney ego-stroking bonus features, there are some genuinely nostalgic and informative bonus features on this two-disc set.

"Cinderella" has never been one of my favorite Disney films, probably in part because yes, I am male. But this simple fairy tale is also a rather thin premise to hang a feature film on, and there's little reason for anyone to care about the Prince in this version other than the fact that he is the most eligible bachelor in all the land. Cinderella herself has the patience of Job and a pleasant singing voice; the most interesting characters are the animals that frolic about Cinderella's house, especially the many mice and the nasty cat, Lucifer, who takes great delight in causing others trouble.

There’s no denying the visual merit of the film. As was the case with most films from Disney’s “golden age,” “Cinderella” is impeccably drawn. Shadows lurk around the Evil Stepmother, who is fittingly drawn in a realistic style, unlike the two stepsisters, who are meant to be more cartoonish.

Extra features on this two-disc set are numerous, and begin with an enhanced surround-sound mix and restored picture. Disc two of the set includes several features that animation buffs will eat up, including a roundtable discussion with contemporary animators that celebrates Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men, the animators that made history with films like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Fantasia,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Peter Pan.” There’s also a 15-minute segment celebrating the art of Mary Blair, the woman responsible for the design of over a half-dozen Disney projects in the 1950s, including “Cinderella.”

Alternate scenes and a look at “The Cinderella That Almost Was” reveal a much different film than the one we know today. In fact, the alternate film may have been more interesting, but it would have dragged a bit, according to Walt Disney, so he and the other writers cut the film down to its trim 76-minute running time.

There are clips from old radio shows, and a short television clip of Perry Como singing songs from the film. But the real Disney synergy is reserved for several of the more prominent special features.

Right there on disc one is a 20-plus-minute segment from ESPN, “Cinderella Stories,” hosted by football legend Joe Namath. Namath profiles some of the famous sports stories from yesteryear that exemplify the “Cinderella” spirit, including Kirk Gibson’s home run in the 1988 World Series, and the North Carolina State 1983 NCAA basketball victory. Sure, it’s kind of interesting, but to say this belongs on the “Cinderella” DVD is stretching it, to say the least.

The in-company back scratching continues with a Disney Channel pipsqueak taking viewers to New York City and designer Isaac Mizrahi, and on to Hollywood, as the cast of the “Extreme Makeover - Home Edition” program creates the “ultimate Princess room.” Sheesh.

If the extras don’t all seem to fit nicely on this DVD set of “Cinderella,” it’s not to the detriment of the film, and fans will be delighted at its video and audio presentation. The movie has never looked or sounded better. But lingering questions still haunt me... why can the mice talk, but the birds can’t? Why does the Fairy Godmother show up to send Cinderella off to the ball, only to abandon her when she’s locked in her room the next day by that Wicked Stepmother? Ah, well. It’s only a fairy tale.

10/25/05

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