Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (DVD, 2002)

Usually I have no problem sitting through a Disney classic film. I suppose it’s a symptom of my rampant immaturity. I also have no problem going to see them at the theater but I suspect this in not something most people have trouble with.

Once again, though I am getting off the point in the fact that I feel Disney has lost much of its luster as of late.

Ten years ago, it seemed like the House that the Mouse built had the system down pat. It released its classic films at a carefully calculated rate and direct to video sequels were a complete no-no.

These days, it seems like they are one step away from making the animated Ernest movie. Their sequels come out far too frequently and the supposed gold classics now have sequels planned right and left.

Take CINDERELLA for example, here is a story that doesn’t need improved upon. We know how it all happened and it was a lovely story and an even better film, so why grace us with a sequel that we don’t want while still refusing to release the original film?

I know that later in the year they plan to release HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and it’s animated sequel but at least there they are giving us the original whereas here we have just this to look forward to.

And I know that I am being unfairly harsh on it, but in truth this is nothing more than a series of animated shorts cut together into film form. It’s three episodes of some series somewhere and it ends up being just as much of a sequel as BUZZ LIGHTYEAR was to TOY STORY.

But lets be honest, even though it’s not Disney animation, it’s still a cut above the traditional direct to video animation. It’s also presented in anamorphic widescreen in a 1.78:1 frame. The detail is deep (but not as deep as a Disney classic) and that makes it a cut above.

The three stories include “Aim to Please”, “A Tall Tail” and “An Uncommon Romance” and they center more on the new characters in Cinderella’s life in the ways that they seem to be introducing a rich supporting cast.

The first story centers on Cinderella trying to fit into her new role as a Princess. It’s clever and cute but it also was a better live movie when it was done in THE PRINCESS DIARIES.

The second skit focuses on Jaq, one of the original mice who wants to be a man. He gets his wish from the fairy godmother but then he finds that his life hasn’t changed that much because the cat is still after him.

Skit number 3 features Cinderella stepsister Anastasia (and I’m wondering if there is a lawsuit there somewhere?) who falls in love with a local baker against the wishes of her wicked stepmother. Cindy steps in to help smooth the road and also help the cat get a little romance of his own.

Special features are the disc’s real saving grace because they have put together a cool little package that will interest small children. Unfortunately it leaves us immature adults bored stiff.

First up is a magical musical feature, which explains what goes into making a soundtrack and a music video. The documentary also features Brooke Allison singing “Put It Together.”

Next is a storybook about a “little Misunderstanding.” In it Cinderella must smooth over an argument between Jaq and Mary and the final features are the CGI games that have accompanied all Disney releases as of late.

The disc also features some sneak peaks of Disney’s next sequels and I have to say none of them excited me. I suppose I’ll just have to wait until BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to get a taste of that old

Studios have begun to realize the potential of the children's video marketplace, especially over the past few years, as Disney has cranked out direct-to-video sequels of such films as "The Lion King" and "Lady and the Tramp". Sure, these films do not have the same energy or fun (or animation quality) as the originals, but studios realize that they have familiar characters that will gain attention as families pass by. I will admit that I've found a few of these passably entertaining (see the recent "Balto" sequel) and a few have even been considered good enough to go the theatrical route instead (Disney's new "Return To Neverland"), but usually, they're dissapointing and uninspired.

"Cinderella" seemed like the least likely to be remade, but Disney has given it a try. The results, I'm sorry to say, are mediocre at best and poor at worst. Rather than actually providing a full-length story, the filmmakers have decided to split the 73-minute length into three different stories, the first of which involves Cinderella learning more about being a princess. While I'm sure young children will enjoy this little feature, I was waiting for something, anything to happen. It didn't.

The next segment focuses on Jaq (one of the pair of mice that are the most entertaining characters here), who is a mouse but wants to be a man. The fairy godmother arrives and grants his wish, but the main drama of the story revolves around the fact that the cat that chased Jaq when he was a mouse is still chasing him when he's human. Fascinating. The third story involves Cinderella's evil stepsister Anastasia (hey, that's the title of an animated film more enjoyable than this one), who finds love, although her even more evil mother is displeased than he is only the local baker.

I know this is a kid's film, but the story and dialogue were both terrible. The film contains lines like, "Someday I think I'll get this princess thing right", to which the prince replies, "I think that day is today." There's little conflict or even general imagination to the three stories; we're presented with small concerns which are predictably wrapped up with a generic happy ending. No tension, no excitement, no suprises. To make things even worse, the actors providing the voices of the characters often give bland readings that make the already weak dialogue sound even worse.

As previously mentioned, kids might like this (I'd be surprised, though), but personally, I found it extremely boring.


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Posted by CK-Auctions

Great sequel to Cinderella. Picks up where Cinderella left off, returning home from their honeymoon and once again Cinderella's stepmother still trying to interfer in Cinderella's happiness. There is a valuable lesson in Cinderella II. The stepsister learns that lesson. True Love can conquer all. A great additions to the Cinderella series.

I bought Cinderella 2:Dreams Come True because my grandaughter and I are both Cinderella fans. We enjoy this movie and have watched it several times. We like the new characters and enjoyed seeing the old ones as well. Nothing can compare to the original but overall this a good movie.

While it's true that it doesn't hold a candle to the original "Cinderella" animated movie, I found the sequel to be very enjoyable and quite rewatchable. The first and third stories are my favorites, but if you are a fan of Jaq the mouse you should enjoy the second story very much. The art, voices and music were quite good and I encourage you to give this direct to video movie a chance!