The movie opens with a royal visit for the young brother's Grimm. An unidentified female monarch first praises the Grimm boys for their work in collecting folk tales, but then chastises their version of the little Cinder girl. The elderly monarch would have them believe that the story is true, and begins the "correct" narration.

Since we all know the story of Cinders, her stepmother and stepsisters, the Prince, the ball, romance, and the happy ever the delight of this film is all in the twists. And they are interesting, innovative, and effective, delete the fairygodmother, and add Leonardo da Vinci. Then, of course, there is the whole subplot that Cinderella has brains and the Prince is pretty dumb, until she shows him how to run the country. It's all rather fun, even if the deference paid to feminist ideology is rather arbitrary.

What is most fun is the wickedly extravagant performances unleashed in this movie. Angelica Huston was MADE to play the wicked stepmother, and she does absolutely everything you would hope and expect from an actress of this calibre in a role this cruel. Drew Barrymore is drippily saccharine, but at least she isn't blond, and she's come a long way on a bumby road since E.T. Then there is the little role of assistant villain played with true melodrama by Richard O'Brien. For tried and true Rocky Horror fans, the film is a must see, just to see that ol' Riff Raff's still got what it takes.

In short, I found myself enjoying the film quite a lot. The story rocks along cheerfully to its inevitable and romantic ending, but along the way there is some really fun dialogue and worthwhile performances.