Voices of Bailee Reid, Kathleen Barr, Nathan Aswell, and Michael Donovan
Directed by Toshi Hiruma
Music by Andrew Diminitroff; Lyrics by Joellyn Copperman
Golden Films and UAV weren't the only low-budget companies churning out animated fairy-tale adaptations in the 90's. Jetlag Productions mainly focused on fairy tale adaptations, with this generally considered to be the best of the lot. How well did they do with this retelling of the most beloved fairy tale in the world? Let's begin with the charming song "Dream On, Cinderella" that gives us a gentle hint of what's to come and find out...
The Story: Cinderella lives happily with her widowed father until he brings home a wife and two daughters. The moment he goes on a long business trip, Cinderella's stepmother reveals her true nature. She forces the girl to work as a servant in her own house, giving her room to her slovenly daughters. Cinderella has a beloved snow globe from her late mother. When she shakes it, a fairy godmother appears in her room. Not only does she play pranks to keep her family off her back, she gives her a lavish gown, a carriage with lizard pages and a mouse driver, and crystal shoes for the prince's big ball. She enchants the prince, but even then, her stepmother raises doubts that it was really her...until her fairy godmother intervenes once and for all.
The Animation: Not great, but a cut above Golden and UAV. At least everyone has more than one expression, and they actually show anger and fear. There's some nice backgrounds, too, especially at the ball, and some ok effects for a low-budget film when the fairy godmother does her thing.
The Song and Dance: No wonder I heard this has a cult following of people who grew up watching it in the 90's and early 2000's. It's surprisingly charming for a low-budget effort. I like that the focus here is on Cinderella and her fairy godmother, not on sidekick mice, her step-family, or anywhere else. In fact, the fairy godmother has a lot more to do here than in most versions, including slapstick with the stepsisters. This is one of the rare versions to keep her father alive until the end, too. As a fairy tale fan, I also appreciate references to the Grimm's version of this (the birds picking the lentils out of the ashes) in what's largely a retelling of the French Charles Perrault story.
The Numbers: We open with the lovely "Dream On, Cinderella," a soft ballad of encouragement that gives us an idea of the magic that is to come. "It's the Chance of a Lifetime," claim Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters as they prepare for the ball...and taunt Cinderella. "When Love Has Gone Away" is a sweet sequence after the ball as Cinderella and the Prince desperately wish they were in each other's arms.
What I Don't Like: Did I mention the "low budget" thing up there? The cheap animation and so-so voice acting shows their origins all too plainly. While it's not quite so glaring as it is for Golden or UAV, it's still nowhere near even Disney's worst.
The Big Finale: There are far worse ways to pass 45 minutes with your princess-crazy elementary schooler or someone who grew up watching this on TV or video in the 90's and 2000's.
Home Media: Easily found on DVD and streaming. Currently free on Tubi with commercials.
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