Kay Cannon’s new take on Cinderella, produced by James Corden, offers a surprisingly entertaining blend of contemporary music and traditional fairy-tale structure. The film, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, features Camila Cabello in her acting debut as a charming and vocally powerful Cinderella.
The movie leans heavily into its musical numbers, with standout mash-ups like Rhythm Nation/You Gotta Be and Whatta Man/Seven Nation Army. Ben Bailey Smith, also known as Doc Brown, delivers rap verses as a palace official, adding to the film’s playful tone. Choreography is sharp, and original songs by Cabello and Idina Menzel—who plays stepmother Vivian—bring emotional depth, particularly Menzel’s ballad Dream Girl.
While the plot follows familiar beats, the film injects modern sass and humour, reminiscent of Cannon’s Pitch Perfect franchise. Celebrity cameos include Pierce Brosnan, Minnie Driver, and Billy Porter as Fairy G, alongside British comedians James Acaster, Romesh Ranganathan, and James Corden himself—the latter appearing as a CGI mouse. The voice cast delivers solid performances, though some scenes fall flat and dialogue occasionally cringes.
Overall, Cinderella is a fun, if uneven, pantomime-style romp. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but adds sparkle through its music, costumes, and a dash of female empowerment. Younger viewers will likely adore it, while older audiences may appreciate its energetic charm.
