Being the teen movie queen, it was only natural I was going to have to see “A Cinderella Story” starring none other than America’s sweetheart Hilary Duff. The movie seemed like a lot of fun, and I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind watching remakes and new takes on old ideas, just as long ... Read review
Cinderella never had it this bad. A twisted and hilarious update of the classic fairy tale ... more
- high school senior Sam (Hilary Duff) lives at the beck and call of her self-obsessed step-mother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and her sinfully wicked step-sisters...
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: Chad Michael Murray's looks Disadvantages: Predictable, boring, Hilary Duff acting like herself yet again, poor comedy, really unoriginal, idea just wasn’t executed well, lacklustre script, bad direction, terrible soundtrack mainly because Duff sings the majority of the songs.
...Duff. The movie seemed like a lot of fun, and I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind watching remakes and new takes on old ideas, just as long as they’re well executed. From the trailer, this movie did look like it was going to be a good, light-hearted teen movie, urm…what was I thinking?
After her father passes away Samantha Montgomery is left in the care of her evil stepmother Fiona and her stepsisters Brianna and Gabriella. Sam ... ...guy in high school (what a coincidence) Austin Ames. Sam is a little shocked and thinks he is just another jock and doubts they could possibly have anything in common in reality. She leaves the party leaving her cell phone by mistake, Austin’s only clue to find out who his Cinderella really is…yawn.
I for some reason felt Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff didn’t have amazing chemistry, and was I the only one to be bothered by the ... more
Being the teen movie queen, it was only natural I was going to have to see “A Cinderella Story” starring none other than America’s sweetheart Hilary Duff. The movie seemed like a lot of fun, and I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind watching remakes and new takes on old ideas, just as long as they’re well executed. From the trailer, this movie did look like it was going to be a good, light-hearted teen movie, urm…what was I thinking?
After her father passes away Samantha Montgomery is left in the care of her evil stepmother Fiona and her stepsisters Brianna and Gabriella. Sam is forced to work in the diner her father left behind which Fiona now runs. She is basically forced to scrub floors (sound familiar?) and serve the perfect high school beings. She is picked on by these high school jocks and cheerleaders and has to deal with daily taunts of “diner girl”. Sam has dreams of one day escaping her daily exploits and go to Princeton. While being treated like an outsider Sam looks forward to her daily text messages from her secret admirer who calls himself Nomad. The two have lots in common and seem to understand each other more than anyone else possibly could. They both want to meet at the homecoming dance and after struggling to find the perfect outfit, Sam finally attends the dance unbeknown to Fiona who expects her to work through the night, thus Samantha must be back by 12 before Fiona comes back. Anyway when Sam gets to the dance she finally gets to meet Nomad and who does Nomad turn out to be? None other than the most beautiful guy in high school (what a coincidence) Austin Ames. Sam is a little shocked and thinks he is just another jock and doubts they could possibly have anything in common in reality. She leaves the party leaving her cell phone by mistake, Austin’s only clue to find out who his Cinderella really is…yawn.
I for some reason felt Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff didn’t have amazing chemistry, and was I the only one to be bothered by the fact that a 23 year old was sucking face with a 17-year-old…eww. Ok I’m just jealous, I wish he were sucking face with me but we can’t have everything. Anyway as much as I love Chad this movie is beneath him, they should have got a guy who was slightly younger and had more chemistry with Hilary, it would have been better for the film, not to mention less cringe worthy.
Hilary Duff is doing nothing for her career by playing the same character YET AGAIN. It’s Lizzie McGuire as the diner girl, people! I used to think Hilary was great (not acting wise!!!) just because she seemed so clueless, but still bubbly and likeable, but after what, five movies and an entire TV series of her playing the same role it’s getting pretty old. Hilary can’t act, all she can do is act like herself, and that’s not going to get her anywhere. Because this movie at times felt the need to be serious Hilary had a chance to show she can act but the dramatic scenes just weren’t up to scratch. I also didn’t like the way Sam was portrayed, she was clearly a fortunate looking girl, but we’re supposed to feel sorry for this “outsider” who happens to have perfectly straight long blonde hair and blue eyes…yeh such an outsider because she wears Converse trainers. I am beginning to really loathe Hilary Duff, she just seems so irritating and her fame is down to luck, pure and simple. It also bothers me that she replaced one of my favourite actresses Evan Rachel Wood in her next movie “Raise your voice”, that cast change alone changes the whole genre of the movie. This just proves she’s not very talented, just lucky little girls adore her.
Jennifer Coolidge was probably the best thing (besides Chad) about this movie. She played the evil stepmother Fiona who loves to get liposuction and botox and pays for it with the money that should have been left for Sam’s college tuition. Even though she was funny, it was clear she could have been funnier. I think Jennifer Coolidge is hilarious, but in this movie she’s just funny, her performance was just a waste to be honest. Given the right material this character could have been so much better, all the elements were there, bad direction and an awful script let the character down. Chad Michael Murray played the role of the teen heartthrob perfectly but being attached to a movie like this isn’t going to do his career any favours so I’m baffled as to what drew him to this project in the first place. I think he did well to play the part of Austin as a bit mysterious, I think he’s a decent actor but he just needs good material to work with, and this clearly ain’t. I was quite impressed with Dan Byrd who played Sam’s best friend Carter. I guess he was just the comic relief but he was so cute and likeable, he should have been in the movie more. I don’t even know what to say about any of the other cast members, as their performances were just so unmemorable.
What I couldn’t get over was how boring this movie was. It unnecessarily tried to be serious, but come on, in a movie like this it just wouldn’t work. I’m not kidding but at times I was yawning so loud I was clearly bothering the row of pre teen girls behind me. This movie just didn’t have the right balance and that’s the main reason, this film in a word…sucks! If they kept it funny, slightly silly and less dramatic it would have appealed to a wider audience and would have been much more enjoyable to watch. The movie just lacked a decent script; the idea could have worked so well, I mean everyone loves Cinderella! Well that is unless her name is Hilary Duff! “Ever After” was another take on the Cinderella idea and that was excellent, they had the chance to make a modernised version but they screwed it up and it really is that simple.
The director Mark Rosman (a guy I’ve never heard of) looked like he had no idea what he wanted to do with this film. A serious melodrama? Or a slapstick teen movie? I guess in that sense he really confuses the audience. The comedy is so amateurish and the drama is so cringe worthy, its pretty obvious Rosman really had no idea what he was doing. What he should have done was cut the serious crap out and stuck with the light-hearted, fun formula which is tried and tested but hey at least it’s a winning formula! Plus that’s the only type of acting Hilary can do. Act like herself that is. I just felt like they took a big risk with this film, making it serious at times was just wrong for the story and the lead actress as acting serious is not something she can do well. Unfortunately this guy is also directing Hilary’s next movie “The Perfect Man”, I’m really looking forward to seeing how that one turns out!
By the way please note the last sentence of the previous paragraph was me being sarcastic in case you didn’t get it. This movie could have been so much more; it had a decent cast but bad direction and average acting from the main cast member let it down. Ok it wouldn’t have been anything truly groundbreaking or original but what does that matter? As long as it’s ok to watch, and this clearly isn’t. I think it’ll be most entertaining to little girls who see Duff as their idol, but anyone else, steer clear of this crap unless like me you have a super huge crush on Chad Michael Murray, who does happen to look delish in this movie, hey he’s the best thing about this disaster! With the success of movies like “Mean girls” and “Freaky Friday” it’s pretty clear to see who will win the teen queen battle, my money’s always been on Lohan.
CAST~~
Hilary Duff – Samantha Montgomery Chad Michael Murray – Austin Ames Jennifer Coolidge – Fiona Regina King – Rhonda Dan Byrd – Carter Julie Gonzalo – Shelby Madeline Zima – Brianna Andrea Avery – Gabriella Mary Pat Gleason – Eleanor Paul Rodriguez - Bobby
Advantages: It's only an hour and a half long Disadvantages: It's trite beyond belief
...night. At school she is a geek, shunned by the popular kids and at home she is bullied by her two stepsisters. Her only ray of hope is the text message relationship she shares with a secret admirer. When he insists on meeting her at the high school dance, Sam doesn’t know what to do. Will he fall for the real her or be repelled by her nerdy image?
This film may as well be called “How to Make a High School Movie by the Numbers”. It’s got all the ... ...in an attic, but it’s a really cool looking attic with a high-spec computer and telephone. She may have to work all the hours under the sun, but she can afford to run a vintage Mustang convertible and dinky mobile phone and has an obviously expensive haircut and dye job. And this Cinderella doesn’t shamble around in rags; no she has a wardrobe full of very new and cool clothes. If only poverty could be like this for everyone! Director Mark Rosman ...
afy9mab 04.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of A Cinderella Story (DVD)
Advantages: It'll cheer you up! Disadvantages: No chemistry between the two leads.
...from the title, this is a modern day version of Cinderella, a fun and upbeat movie starring Hilary Duff and One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray.
► Cast ◄
Sam Montgomery - Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire, Cheaper By The Dozen)
Austin Ames - Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill, Freaky Friday)
Fiona - Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde, American Pie, Joey)
Rhonda - Regina King (Legally Blonde 2, Miss Congeniality 2)
► Plot ◄
... ...University. Her days are made a lot brighter by an online relationship with a boy known only as Nomad, whom she met in a Princeton chatroom. Sam and Nomad regularly text and email each other, and it is revealed to the viewer quite early in the film that Nomad is in fact Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray) the most popular boy in school, he's student body president and captain of the football team, and one of the cool kids whose clique make fun of Sam. ...
damncoldnightdotnet 06.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of A Cinderella Story (DVD)
Advantages: all of it Disadvantages: It's a chick flick
...that we all must watch a DVD together. If one person is in the house but not watching the film, then we can't watch it. The only way you can get out of watching the film is by being outside, but even then you have to be as far away from this house as possible, i.e. Go up town, or to a mate's house. So usually horror films are watched on a Friday night when my dad (luckily) & my brother are out the house.
Anyway as you may already know this film ... ...favourite Actresses but she's also a good singer.
Anyway here's a bit of information about the people:
Samantha "Sam" Montgomery is played by Hilary Duff. Hilary was first seen in Casper meets Wendy, Hilary played "Wendy the Good Witch". This was the start of her career. She then became famous to everyone in the hit TV Series "Lizzie McGuire" which is still shown on TV. She played the main role: "Lizzie McGuire". She also has a hit singing career ...
Jonni_boi 30.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of A Cinderella Story (DVD)
Advantages: Good for sleepovers , Good teen movie , funny Disadvantages: none
A Cinderella Story is a teen movie full of romance.It stars Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray.
Sam (Hilary Duff) montgomery lived with her widowed dad.He gets remarried when Sam was eight but is killed in an earthquake.
That means Sam is forced to live with her stepmother Fiona who is obsessed with plastic surgery and her two daughters Brianna and Gabriella.
Sam's dad owned a diner but since her step-mother took it over she's changed into a ... ...girl.
Sam is an A straight student so in a way is a considered a geek.At school she gets grief from the popular girls , but unaware to them , Sam has a secret relationship through instant messaging with a secret admirer , Austin(Chad Michael Murray). Although they don't know who each other is , he wants to take Sam to the Princeton.
Austin invites Sam to go to the halloween dance with him even though he has a girlfriend.But their relationship is ...
xdonzx 24.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of A Cinderella Story (DVD)
Advantages: Good adaptation of a classic fairytale Disadvantages: none
...and basically treats her like a servant, as she forces her to work at the family diner, as well as looking after the home. Life's not much better for Sam at school, where she finds herself being mocked and shunned by the more popular and wealthy groups of girls and boys. The only enjoyment Sam has is her internet romance with a mystery guy from the same school. After weeks of flirtatious messages they agree to meet at the school fancy dress dance. ... ...loves.
So take a classic fairy tale, adapt it into a modern setting and what have you got, A Cinderella Story. Although the film isn't great, it achieves what it sets out to do, it is an enjoyable, light hearted romance which is obviously aimed for a much younger audience than myself. The actual adaptation of the fairy tale works really well, when updated to fit into a modern world, with classic bits of the story, such as the glass slipper being ...
christianfilmcritic 04.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of A Cinderella Story (DVD)
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ANOTHER CINDERELLASTORY
FILM ONLY REVIEW:
Details:
Directed By: Damon Santostefano
Release Date: September 2008
Runtime: 90 minutes
Certification: PG (UK)
Genre: Comedy | Musical | Romance
Introduction:
As a Disneychannel watcher (and proud of it haha!), I have come to know of most of the "stars" of the shows, don't get me wrong, I know the programmes are possibly the rubbishest of rubbish shows, but sometimes I need the mind-numbing capabilities of kids programmes (especially when all is on normal TV is Panorama and Newsnight!) and Disney Channel does just that, and I have grown to actually enjoy some of the programmes. So when I say that Wizards of Waverly Place actress Selena Gomez was in this new version of the Cinderella fairytale. I have never watched A CinderellaStory (which ...
Advantages: not bad dancing and acting, good for kids Disadvantages: childish in parts, too similar to previous film
If you liked the first CinderellaStory then you'll definitely like this, but then that's probably because the storline is almost identical. Joey Parker searches for the girl in the mask at the high school ball, with only the songs on her mp3 and her unique dance moves to go by. A modern spin on the classic tale. This film isn't bad, just too similar to the previous one for my liking, the acting from Andrew Seeley and Selena Gomez is a little bit childish but would be great for a younger audience. The dancing is entertaining however and the songs aren't too bad although not particularly memorable. The film does have a good message though, that you should always follow your dreams, which can be applied to anyone. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone, but if you're looking for a christmas present for a kid between 6 and 12 then this ...
Hilary Duff plays Sam, a good-hearted Cinderella stuck in the fairy-tale-gone-wrong atmosphere of modern-day Los Angeles. Enslaved by an evil, BOTOX-junky step-mom (a hilarious Jennifer Coolidge) Sam is forced to scrub floors at her late father's diner, thus earning the eternal disdain of the snooty popular kids in school. Luckily she has a friend in artsy nerd Carter (Dan Byrd), and a text-message romance with some poetic schoolmate she's never met. She also has a fairy godmother in the sweet diner manager (Regina King), who helps Sam get decked out and disguised for the Halloween dance. At the dance, she discovers her prince is one of the popular kids, Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). Happily ever after seems like a long shot, though, because Austin is burdened by pressures at school and at home, and Sam can't shake her 'diner girl' inferiority complex. This fairy tale comes with plenty of wit, style, and heart. It moves along too fast to be sappy, and broadly razzes the shallowness of popular kids, their stupid parents, and whiny siblings in a way that should balm the unhealed wounds of anyone who's ever been to high school. Byrd makes a winning and somewhat cool nerd, Murray shows princely posture as the tortured poet-quarterback, and Duff firmly establishes herself as a first-rate young actress with luminous major-league screen presence.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
28/03/2005
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
D 031452
Barcode
7321900314527
Languages
Main Language
English
Subtitle Language
Arabic, English, Hebrew
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Hanging Out With Hilary And Friends Cast Commentary, Cinderella Couture The Making Of A Fashionably Modern Fairytale, Find Your Prince Or Princess Menu Challenge, Screen Tests, Additional Scenes, Hidden Feature, Movie Trailers
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
It's cute, it's sweet... a harmless girly romcom. (The Mail On Sunday, )
DVD Description
Hilary Duff plays Sam, a good-hearted Cinderella stuck in the fairy-tale-gone-wrong atmosphere of modern-day Los Angeles. Enslaved by an evil, BOTOX-junky step-mom (a hilarious Jennifer Coolidge) Sam is forced to scrub floors at her late father's diner, thus earning the eternal disdain of the snooty popular kids in school. Luckily she has a friend in artsy nerd Carter (Dan Byrd), and a text-message romance with some poetic schoolmate she's never met. She also has a fairy godmother in the sweet diner manager (Regina King), who helps Sam get decked out and disguised for the Halloween dance. At the dance, she discovers her prince is one of the popular kids, Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). Happily ever after seems like a long shot, though, because Austin is burdened by pressures at school and at home, and Sam can't shake her 'diner girl' inferiority complex. This fairy tale comes with plenty of wit, style, and heart. It moves along too fast to be sappy, and broadly razzes the shallowness of popular kids, their stupid parents, and whiny siblings in a way that should balm the unhealed wounds of anyone who's ever been to high school. Byrd makes a winning and somewhat cool nerd, Murray shows princely posture as the tortured poet-quarterback, and Duff firmly establishes herself as a first-rate young actress with luminous major-league screen presence.
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