Cinderella (2015)

Parents need to know that this non-musical take on Cinderella is true to the classic Disney animated tale, if somewhat more intense given that it's live action instead of a cartoon. As a child, Cinderella (Downton Abbey's Lily James) loses her mother; her father dies when she's older. Both are drawn-out scenes filled with tears and intense sadness, which could upset younger kids. The prince's father also dies, and Cinderella is a beautiful, kind, and dutiful young woman (albeit one with an unreailstically tiny, corset-cinched waist) who's left to suffer at the hands of her evil stepmother (the divine Cate Blanchett). Everything about the film is visually stunning -- from the sets to the costumes to the actors -- and being a courageous, kind person is a constant theme. But the prince is transfixed by Cinderella after meeting her just once, and she has no future until he comes and rescues her. The stepmother's cruelty and neglect toward Cinderella could scare some kids. There's a little mild language ("stupid," "shut up") and some background drinking at a party.
Directed by     Kenneth Branagh
Produced by    
    Simon Kinberg
    David Barron
    Allison Shearmur
Screenplay by    
  
Chris Weitz
Based on    
    Disney's Cinderella
    Cendrillon by Charles Perrault
Starring    
    Lily James
    Richard Madden
    Cate Blanchett
    Stellan Skarsgård
    Holliday Grainger
    Derek Jacobi
    Helena Bonham Carter
Music by     Patrick Doyle
Cinematography     Haris Zambarloukos
Edited by     Martin Walsh
Production
company
   Walt Disney Pictures
Distributed by     Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release dates
       February 13, 2015 (Berlin)
    March 13, 2015 (United States)
    April 3, 2015 (South Africa)
Running time
    112 minutes
Country     United Kingdom
United States