Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day

And in honour of Disney releasing the 1997 remake of Rodger’s and

Hammerstein’s Cinderella this February on their streaming platform Disney+,

I’d like to remind you why should you rewatch it.

Before I express my love for Whitney Houston’s 1997 production of Cinderella,

I’ll say the things I didn’t like about it first.

NOTHING! 

I tried to find any flaws that I hate about it but I just cannot find anything.

Other than the fact that this version of Cinderella was certainly ahead of its time

and to me, the best version of an age-old

story that we all read and watched growing up.

The most entrancing sight of all is how I define this version of Cinderella.

And I just know that once Disney

released it on their streaming platform, people are

going to flock over its premise on how unapologetically timeless

this remake of a tale that has been told countless times.

I still have the DVD copy of it and rewatching it as to celebrate it

finally coming to Disney+, it reminded me of a lot

of things as to why it is effortlessly

a masterpiece.

Let’s start with the casting.

L to R: Jason Alexander, Paolo Montalban, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Natalie Desselle and Veanne Cox

It’s a diverse and talented cast and no explanation needed  - they peacefully exist

without a question. And that is already something this film is

firstly revolutionary for.

Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen always cracks me up every time

she’s on the screen

and it doesn’t feel too much or too little - it’s always just right.

Natalie Desselle and Veanne Cox as the evil stepsisters, Calliope and Minerva

are too good of a pair to not appreciate.

L to R: Natalie Desselle, Bernadette Peters & Veanne Cox

And it’s hard to resist Bernadette Peters as the evil stepmother who became

even more iconic figure than she already was when she took on the role.

The producers even borrowed Falling in Love

with Love from Rodger and Hart’s musical adaptation

of Boys from Syracuse to showcase this Broadway legend’s voice.

Jason Alexander as the royal footman is always a

delight and even if it’s during his height of fame as George

Costanza in Seinfeld, Lionel was a different

character and a good mix into the brilliant casting of Cinderella.

Paolo Montalban has always been my favourite Disney prince.

His entrance in the film excites me every single time I watch it -

the voice and the aura of what a prince charming should be in a live-action of a

well-known fairytale. 

Brandy & Paolo Montalban

With such a talented and established cast, Whitney Houston gave

the titular role to a then eighteen-year-old newcomer Brandy.

She had that flair that a Cinderella

should have and gave a performance that matches

the versatility of the storytelling, the music and her co-actors.

And how could I forget Whitney Houston as the sassy and confident

Fairy Godmother, she owned it.

Every second she was on the screen, she was effortlessly carrying

the role as if she was born for it. 

Brandy & Whitney Houston

Brandy and Whitney’s chemistry was evident on-screen and you could see

it in their performance of Impossible/It’s Possible - 

how transcendent that two people of colour making people of

all ages watch and believe that it is possible to make a fairytale

in a multicultural world just how it looks today without much

explanation and you accept it without any questions at all. 

I've always loved how perfectly this scene is: the shot, the choreography, the colour is simply chef's kisses. A big thanks to Rob Marshall as well.

The music of Rodger’s and Hammerstein

has always been a blessing to the ears and in this remake,

the producers were granted permission to change in

how they will use the music for this one.

They created the music a mixture of a theatrical aspect with a dash of pop and

you could hear it for yourself how it elevated the musical.

I’ve always admired the production design - how delightful it is to

the viewers despite the 90s effects

is not advanced as to how it is today. And it was well-known they

went over the budget but seeing as how it turned out to

be starting from the premiere at the Chinese Theatre

and television broadcasting, it was worth every penny.

This Cinderella is so good that you won't even question how Whoopi and Victor would have Filipino-born Paolo as a son.

Rewatching it as an adult, it is beyond progressive for its time and that

I believe it’s the best version of a beloved fairytale turned into a

live-action musical film. Whitney Houston’s brilliant reinventing of a tale

beloved by all ages up until now that even after twenty-five years later,

there’s a demand for it to be released on Disney+ and now this February it will be

released among their many 90s Disney collection that you could stream online.

Brandy & Whitney Houston: the best duo who made the impossible possible

Will this be the time Brandy and Whitney’s label could finally come to terms

and release the long-awaited soundtrack? Disney, please?

Impossible things are happening every day - you never know.