I'm Only a Girl, Not a Princess - #Cinderella

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The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
 
Although I have  a son, I still love the classic Disney Stories.  I saw that they were releasing Cinderella and I was so excited to see it, but I did not have the heart to drag my son to the theaters to watch it with me. I was so excited when I was given the chance to review the Blu-Ray when it was released.   I started the movie while he was busy playing with his Army Men and Trains...  Something he heard caught his attention, so he started popping his head in from time to time to see what was going on.  Saying this to let you know that it might not be just a "princess story" and that kids of all ages could enjoy it.
One reason I wanted to see the movie was because, hello, it was Cinderella!
The other reason?  I really like Lily James on Downton Abbey, so I wanted to see how she was as Cinderella.  (It was a nice surprise to see the girl that plays Daisy from Downton Abbey as one of the evil stepsisters!  I had no clue, so it was awesome for me!)  
I really enjoyed the movie and I am sure you will too!  I can not wait to share this with Savannah when she gets older!   Make sure you add this to your gift list for someone (or yourself) this year!!!!

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.”

When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.

Meanwhile, the calculating Grand Duke (Stellan Skarsgård) devises a plan to thwart the Prince’s hopes of reuniting with Ella and enlists the support of the devious Stepmother. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand. Soon, a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin, a few mice and a magic wand, changes Cinderella’s life forever.