Cinderella is in the Valley ~ Hilary Duff’s Got the Stuff, But Does it Work?
Written: Jul 17 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hilary Duff, sweet, cute
Cons: Hilary Duff, sweet, cute
The Bottom Line: Be a star in your tweenie's eyes and take her to this one
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| MumMumMum's Full Review: A Cinderalla Story |
For months my daughter has waited with much anticipation for the opening of the newest Hilary Duff teen fluff movie. So when Mum sprang the news that we were going to the opening last night she raced to her room, laid out her Duff Stuff wardrobe, and picked out the most appropriate attire for a Cinderella Story. It would seem that every other six to ten year old girl in our city did the same thing, because as we sat in the theatre (a full 40 minutes before the start of the movie in case we couldn’t get a good seat you know!), we watched a pre-teen, tweenie, and even some older teens came in wearing their Duff Stuff attire. The Hilary Duff clothing line is doing a booming business if what I saw last night is any indication. It would also seem that I am not the only “Mom, you rock” around town!
Okay, so the lights finally dim and the Duff Stuff is no longer the main attraction. We settled in for the movie. I really don’t need to give you the storyline, do I? Updated Cinderella in the Valley. Sam (Hilary Duff), is left to live with her horrid, botox, liposuction addicted stepmother and two completely useless stepsisters after her father is killed in an earthquake. She meets her cyberspace Prince, who happens to be Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray), star football player and closet Tennyson fan and poet. There are bad jokes, cheap gags, sight gags, and some actually funny moments during the film, as the two star-crossed sweethearts try to find each other throughout the movie.
There are good messages in the film, and ones that did not escape the notice of my daughter. Believe in yourself, and most importantly be yourself are two that were underscored many times throughout the film. And not just in terms of Duff’s character, but also the character played by Murray. Yes, boys need to remember that they don’t have to wear a mask to get along in the real world.
There’s a decent supporting cast in the flick, with Dan Byrd playing Hilary’s goofy friend, Jennifer Coolidge playing the plastic surgeon’s dream come true stepmother, and the supportive friends that Hilary has help the film move along, with a few jerks and stalls along the way. The non-stop soundtrack did help things move along as well, keeping the energy levels up. (Yep, looks like we’ll be picking up another Hilary Duff cd soon!)
The movie did not disappoint either my daughter or myself. I came into the movie with full expectations that it was going to be typical Hilary Duff fare. Cute, fluffy, and probably a little too sweet. In my opinion, Hilary Duff cannot act her way out of a paper bag. Chad Michael Murray was much more believable in Freaky Friday opposite Lindsay Lohan. And I felt a nauseating desire to go out and get cotton candy and paint the house pink after the show. Fortunately my husband was waiting for us after having seen Harry Potter and convinced me that I dislike pink and that’s not what I really needed at all. (He suggested a strong margarita, which did seem like a much better choice after all!) But in all honesty, it was a cute flick, a movie I didn’t have any problem taking my SoccerGirl to see. Watching her face throughout the movie, I could see she, and every other Hilary fan, was totally engrossed in the story, believing that everything is possible, that the good will always win, and that evil stepmothers always get theirs in the end. When you’re nine years old there is no bad acting, there are no treacly storylines, there is only the wonder and joy of watching and believing in a Cinderella Story. Nothing else matters.
As for my rating, I give Cinderella Story two stars. My daughter gives it five stars. So we’ll go with three stars. If you’re a nine-year-old girl this is the movie of the year. So, if you want to be the best mom ever, take your little tweenie to the show. You’ll shine in your daughter’s eyes, and that is the best Cinderella Story of all.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
MumMumMum
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Beverley
Location: Canada
Reviews written: 290
Trusted by: 419 members
About Me:
So good to be home, but so very tired!
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