Cinderella iii Lives Up to the Charm of the Original

People are fond of referencing Cinderella, merrily joking about the magical midnight transformation of the star character from an enchanted princess into her regular self. The 1950 Disney full length cartoon was nominated for three Academy Awards and has remained a childhood favorite for nearly sixty years.

Little girls of today join their mothers and grandmothers before them in dressing up like the much admired blond princess. In 2002 the magic continued with the DVD Cinderella II: Dreams Come True. More accurately described as a series of three stories, these tales are narrated by the mice.

Finally, in 2007 a true sequel to Cinderella was released. Picking up where the original movie left off, Cinderella iii: A Twist in Time asks a question that will engage anyone familiar with the first Cinderella-”What if the slipper didn’t fit?” In this truly twisting sequel, the evil stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella, are suffering payback, forced to do all of Cinderella’s former chores. Anastasia slips off to the woods where she sees the Fairy Godmother arranging a secret picnic to celebrate the first wedding anniversary of Cinderella and her prince.

As luck would have it, Anastasia contrives to snatch the dropped magic wand and return home with it. Her mother, Lady Tremaine, immediately imagines all sorts of wicked possibilities once she is convinced of the wand’s incredible power. Her first deed is to turn back the clock to the moment the glass slipper enters their home. She places a spell on it so that it fits Anastasia instead of Cinderella. From that point on, the movie is a scampering romp fueled by trickery, changing identities, and intrigue. Every time you think Cinderella is going to get her prince back, Lady Tremaine foils her.

In the end, it is Anastasia, poised on the verge of taking her wedding vows, who is motivated to do the right thing. Cinderella is once again with her prince and Anastasia is rewarded with a home in the palace-and a true love of her own. With all the charm and drama of the original, this wonderful sequel will find a place in the heart of every Cinderella fan.