Why Walt Disney's CINDERELLA is still cool

Cinderella is not only one of my favorite princesses, she is one of the strongest characters in animation. Sure, the 1950 film has a lot more screen time for the mice, but that was a calculated move that paid off in its appeal to children. The film was really telling two stories: one about cute animals and another about a human being rising above physical and mental abuse with a strong resolve, resilience, and positivity.

It was this relentless positive attitude that drove the stepfamily crazy, more than her surface beauty. “O Sing Sweet Nightingale” is my favorite part of the film because it typifies how she transcends drudgery she does not deserve, while her stepfamily has a miserable time with their music lesson. They cannot figure out why Cinderella can be so annoyingly cheerful and why nothing satisfies them.

The scene in which the stepmother induces the stepsisters to attack her gown, thus physically attacking her, is one of the most powerful, cruel, and violent scenes in a family film. These are real-life villains, just like the horrifyingly realistic Dolores Umbrage in Harry Potter.

The live-action version was fine, but I was startled that it was a bit toned down, especially in this day and age. I interpret that Cincerella’s goal of meeting the prince is symbolic, and could be anything that rescues someone from a carefully constructed, seemingly futile existence.

While she has friendly creatures as companions and a fairy godmother, they could be any trusted support group. If the first dress had not been destroyed, she could have had an acceptable look for the ball with no magical help.

Practically everyone knew how the story of Cinderalla would end, yet the Disney version builds such suspense, right up to the “oh, no!” moment when Lucifer shows up, that it is possible to become a little anxious during the struggle with the key. That alone is quite an achievement.

Yes, we never get to see the stepfamily get their comeuppance. In real life, the damaging, abusive narcissists in life never see their folly and often seem to get away with their actions, tbough they really don’t. It’s called Karmati-Bobbidi-Boo.

At the heart is Cinderella herself. Being powerful, heroic, and strong is a question of innate character, not the ability to kickbox, shoot lasers, or cleverly tongue-lash. In real life, that can often lead to more trouble. Disney’s Cinderella rocks and always will.