Cinderella at the El Cap - My review

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 09-21-2005, 01:59 AM

A Guy’s POV - Cinderella at the El Cap.

Princess power is everywhere. We can’t escape it. So, I decided to hit it head on with the 7pm showing of CINDERELLA at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood.

After a stunning morning at Universal Studios, I took a jaunt over to Hollywood and to get my ticket for the show. Can I say how much I love the front of this theatre? There is so much to look at and so much detail. And, luck me, there were still tickets left. Cool.

I have about 30 minutes to kill, so I meandered through the new Disney Ice Cream Shop/ Store, which was deserted. (Get it “Desert.” I kill myself) Then a walk down Hollywood Blvd. for a bite to eat. Can I also add that Hollywood Blvd. continues to smell like a herd of monstrous six-story-tall mutant Cows roam the alleyways leaving their road apples to fragrant 3 city blocks. I had to keep checking the bottom of my shoes.

After some time, I return to the El Cap to get in line. General Admission, lines up to the right. VIP, to the left. I was the first in line. Wonderful. So, I waited about 15 minutes with a dozen or so families with their little “princess’” all dolled up, swirling around the pre-lobby area. Dozens of cute laughing people lined up around the corner. In the back, a Jasmine, then Snow White, and Ariel with flowing red hair, and a Cinderella with clear plastic shoes with the adoring parents looking on, then a 6 ft 4 inch tall GUY dressed in blue jeans and a Chicago shirt standing at the very, very front; arms folded, sunglass’ on. I felt like the minority.

Within a short time, we were let into the theatre and I got my Ice Tea and M&M’s and found a seat in the basically vacant theatre. The organist was playing “Feed the Birds” and it echoed throughout this amazing venue. Just the most magical movie theatre I’ve ever been in and to have the organ music reverberating those memorable Disney tunes was icing on an already enchanting cake. It was a shame to see such a small turnout.

After the brief couple of songs, the Organist descended into the pit and the show began. Cinderella appeared in person on the stage from behind the giant curtain that also revealed a screen. She thanked us for coming to her show and introduced a clip (aka music video) of her new hit song, “Every Girl Can Be a Princess.” Yes, the cynic in me had a moment of “yeah, I too can be a Princess” whereas I was jolted from that nightmare with the poignant “now available wherever CD’s are sold.”

http://disney.go.com/disneyrecords/S...rty/index.html

So, Cinderella shuffled off to “Tea” and the program started with previews for Chicken Little, Chronicles of Narnia and Greatest Game Ever Played. The joy of seeing the film being presented in it’s proper aspect ratio was particularly awesome, as was the sound and presentation. Clean, clear, dynamic sound from a feature that was recorded long before digital and dolby surround.

The opening credits were quite a rush of sentiment. Names all too familiar with our favorite park, Mary Blair, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas; just to name a few. Every credit seemed to be a person of pure Disney Legend.

It has to be at least 20 years since I’ve seen the film, and I wasn’t recalling much of it, except for the “Classic” scenes replayed over the years. The story was simple and, to my mind, not all that important. (Heck, the Prince has, what, maybe 5 lines?) The songs were great. The animation knocks the pants off anything offered for the past 10 years hands down. With the restored print the colors were just a fantasy of stunning imagery that was just phenomenal. I am convinced that a smaller TV screen could never replicate what was seen on this large movie screen. For the experience, nothing touches this film/ theatrical experience.

Oh, yes, I’ll get the DVD, but I doubt you’ll be seeing me prancing about in glass slippers, but you will see me looking for more of this one-of-a-kind soiree.

Ghoulish Delight · 09-21-2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bornieo: Fully Loaded

...but I doubt you’ll be seeing me prancing about in glass slippers...

Awww, way to shatter my dreams.

Morrigoon · 09-21-2005, 11:09 AM

"Now when did clear heels become the new ho uniform?" - Dave Chappelle

Lovely review, Borneio! Makes me wanna go see it!

mistyisjafo · 09-21-2005, 05:14 PM

I really wish I had an opportunity to see it. I think seeing all the old movies on a big screen would be awe inspiring

Not Afraid · 09-21-2005, 05:40 PM

We saw Cinderella at LACMA a few years ago and felt the same way. It was an extraordinary experience. I only missed this one because I was out of town.

For those of us who are local, we are very lucky to live in an area where these opportunities exist. Take advantage of them!

Gwyren · 09-22-2005, 08:56 PM

I have seen Cinderella at the El Capitan as well. Bornieo is pretty good with his synopsis. It was a very good experience. The ice cream next door was pretty nifty as well!

cstephens · 09-28-2005, 01:14 PM

We went opening night because of the panel discussion, which was before the movie. I was running late because it took longer than I remembered to get there from work, but I managed to take my seat just as the MC was taking the stage. The voices of Cinderella, Anastasia and Lucifer were there, as well as Ollie Johnston and Andreas Dejas (I'm not sure I'm getting his last name right). They all had great stories to tell. The movie followed after that. I've never seen the movie all the way through before, so I really enjoyed it. I was a little shocked at exactly how bitchy the stepmother and stepsisters were. I always knew they were "bad" but never that they were quite that cruel. The two scenes that stick out in my head are when the stepsisters tear her pink dress to shreds (made more heartbreaking knowing that it was originally her mother's dress) and when the stepmother locks her in her room, knowing she's the person the prince is looking for.

And I now am of the opinion that Cinderella in her blue gown is not Cinderella at her prettiest. The pink dress is so pretty, and I like her hair better in her peasant incarnation - the upswept look doesn't do that much for me. Too bad you never see anything with Cinderella other than in her blue gown (except maybe a wedding dress).

Cadaverous Pallor · 09-28-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstephens

Too bad you never see anything with Cinderella other than in her blue gown (except maybe a wedding dress).

I would have to give up my Disney Nitpicker Badge if I didn't point out that in the movie, her ball gown isn't blue, it's silver/white. When they doled out colors for each of the princesses a few years ago they decided to go with blue for her. I'm assuming it's because white/silver would seem superior to the other girls' colors.

It also means they stuck Aurora in eternal pink mode, which sucks (just ask Morrigoon).

cstephens · 10-01-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I would have to give up my Disney Nitpicker Badge if I didn't point out that in the movie, her ball gown isn't blue, it's silver/white.

Yeah, I just use blue because that's usually what you see her dressed in. I do like her silver/white gown better, but I still like her pink dress better, and even her "peasant" clothes.

I found out there's a Classics piece coming out that has Cinderella hugging her pink dress after the animals have presented her with it. Guess I'll have to see whether I need to have that...

09-21-2005, 01:59 AM	#1
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	Cinderella at the El Cap - My review A Guy’s POV - Cinderella at the El Cap. Princess power is everywhere. We can’t escape it. So, I decided to hit it head on with the 7pm showing of CINDERELLA at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood. After a stunning morning at Universal Studios, I took a jaunt over to Hollywood and to get my ticket for the show. Can I say how much I love the front of this theatre? There is so much to look at and so much detail. And, luck me, there were still tickets left. Cool. I have about 30 minutes to kill, so I meandered through the new Disney Ice Cream Shop/ Store, which was deserted. (Get it “Desert.” I kill myself) Then a walk down Hollywood Blvd. for a bite to eat. Can I also add that Hollywood Blvd. continues to smell like a herd of monstrous six-story-tall mutant Cows roam the alleyways leaving their road apples to fragrant 3 city blocks. I had to keep checking the bottom of my shoes. After some time, I return to the El Cap to get in line. General Admission, lines up to the right. VIP, to the left. I was the first in line. Wonderful. So, I waited about 15 minutes with a dozen or so families with their little “princess’” all dolled up, swirling around the pre-lobby area. Dozens of cute laughing people lined up around the corner. In the back, a Jasmine, then Snow White, and Ariel with flowing red hair, and a Cinderella with clear plastic shoes with the adoring parents looking on, then a 6 ft 4 inch tall GUY dressed in blue jeans and a Chicago shirt standing at the very, very front; arms folded, sunglass’ on. I felt like the minority. Within a short time, we were let into the theatre and I got my Ice Tea and M&M’s and found a seat in the basically vacant theatre. The organist was playing “Feed the Birds” and it echoed throughout this amazing venue. Just the most magical movie theatre I’ve ever been in and to have the organ music reverberating those memorable Disney tunes was icing on an already enchanting cake. It was a shame to see such a small turnout. After the brief couple of songs, the Organist descended into the pit and the show began. Cinderella appeared in person on the stage from behind the giant curtain that also revealed a screen. She thanked us for coming to her show and introduced a clip (aka music video) of her new hit song, “Every Girl Can Be a Princess.” Yes, the cynic in me had a moment of “yeah, I too can be a Princess” whereas I was jolted from that nightmare with the poignant “now available wherever CD’s are sold.” http://disney.go.com/disneyrecords/S...rty/index.html So, Cinderella shuffled off to “Tea” and the program started with previews for Chicken Little, Chronicles of Narnia and Greatest Game Ever Played. The joy of seeing the film being presented in it’s proper aspect ratio was particularly awesome, as was the sound and presentation. Clean, clear, dynamic sound from a feature that was recorded long before digital and dolby surround. The opening credits were quite a rush of sentiment. Names all too familiar with our favorite park, Mary Blair, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas; just to name a few. Every credit seemed to be a person of pure Disney Legend. It has to be at least 20 years since I’ve seen the film, and I wasn’t recalling much of it, except for the “Classic” scenes replayed over the years. The story was simple and, to my mind, not all that important. (Heck, the Prince has, what, maybe 5 lines?) The songs were great. The animation knocks the pants off anything offered for the past 10 years hands down. With the restored print the colors were just a fantasy of stunning imagery that was just phenomenal. I am convinced that a smaller TV screen could never replicate what was seen on this large movie screen. For the experience, nothing touches this film/ theatrical experience. Oh, yes, I’ll get the DVD, but I doubt you’ll be seeing me prancing about in glass slippers, but you will see me looking for more of this one-of-a-kind soiree.
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09-21-2005, 11:09 AM	#3
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	"Now when did clear heels become the new ho uniform?" - Dave Chappelle Lovely review, Borneio! Makes me wanna go see it! __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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09-21-2005, 05:14 PM	#4
mistyisjafo A JAFO Production Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 567	I really wish I had an opportunity to see it. I think seeing all the old movies on a big screen would be awe inspiring __________________
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09-21-2005, 05:40 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	We saw Cinderella at LACMA a few years ago and felt the same way. It was an extraordinary experience. I only missed this one because I was out of town. For those of us who are local, we are very lucky to live in an area where these opportunities exist. Take advantage of them!
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09-22-2005, 08:56 PM	#6
Gwyren Herding practice. Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 18	I have seen Cinderella at the El Capitan as well. Bornieo is pretty good with his synopsis. It was a very good experience. The ice cream next door was pretty nifty as well!
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09-28-2005, 01:14 PM	#7
cstephens Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 231	We went opening night because of the panel discussion, which was before the movie. I was running late because it took longer than I remembered to get there from work, but I managed to take my seat just as the MC was taking the stage. The voices of Cinderella, Anastasia and Lucifer were there, as well as Ollie Johnston and Andreas Dejas (I'm not sure I'm getting his last name right). They all had great stories to tell. The movie followed after that. I've never seen the movie all the way through before, so I really enjoyed it. I was a little shocked at exactly how bitchy the stepmother and stepsisters were. I always knew they were "bad" but never that they were quite that cruel. The two scenes that stick out in my head are when the stepsisters tear her pink dress to shreds (made more heartbreaking knowing that it was originally her mother's dress) and when the stepmother locks her in her room, knowing she's the person the prince is looking for. And I now am of the opinion that Cinderella in her blue gown is not Cinderella at her prettiest. The pink dress is so pretty, and I like her hair better in her peasant incarnation - the upswept look doesn't do that much for me. Too bad you never see anything with Cinderella other than in her blue gown (except maybe a wedding dress). __________________ Disneyland Resort trip reports and restaurant reviews and more The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
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