DVD Review: Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song

Sometimes you just need a fun, feel good movie to curl up with and A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song starring Lucy Hale, Freddie Stroma and Megan Park is one of those movies!



From the Producers:

It’s a modern and enchanting twist on an enduring classic!  Katie (Lucy Hale) dreams of being a recording artist but is continually thwarted by her cruel stepmother (Missi Pyle) and stepsister (Megan Park).  When Katie falls hard for Luke (Freddie Stroma), the new boy at her Performing Arts school, she tries to get his attention with her singing.  But when her stepsister takes credit for Katie’s amazing voice and Luke falls for the wrong girl, Katie must learn to stand up for her dreams before her stepmother forces Katie to sing Luke into the arms of her wicked stepsister at the Winter Talent Showcase.


My Review: 
As a modern retelling of a classic fairy this movie has a certain predictability and formula to follow but it doesn't take away from the talent shown by these teens with their singing. I definitely think that if you have pre-teen girls, this is a movie that you can watch with them and you both will enjoy.  In the spirit of other modern remakes, this movie has some good life lessons and shares the protagonist's fears and joys as she learns to stand on her own to feet and claim her rightful place.  There's a boy involved... but that's all part of the fairy tale, right - you can't have Cinderella without her Prince Charming...  Can't say that A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song will win Oscars, but it's a cute, feel good tweeniebopper movie with enough punch to keep this mom's interest without being too sugary sweet.


You can also check out some of the cute bonus features offered on the DVD:

• Spotlighting Lucy Hale: Our New Cinderella:  From Pretty Little Liars to vocal princess, Lucy Hale lights up the stage as the new singing Cinderella! Get an inside look at Lucy Hale's talents that lead to casting her for the lead role, along with spotlighting her signing – from rehearsals and practices as she trains, learns her vocals, and performs. 
• So You Wanna Be a Dancer?  From hip-hop to Bollywood, learn new cool steps from Cinderella and her BFF, Angela and be the belle of your next school ball! Follow the actresses as they learn the choreography and endure hours of training and rehearsals as they swing their hips into hip-hop and master the moves for their big scenes. 
• Meet Prince Charming:  School heartthrob Luke Morgan makes fans scream as the charming prince! The newest Cinderella, Lucy Hale interviews Freddie Stroma, as he gives her the “inside scoop” on taking on this new character. 
• Flip Cam Diaries:  Armed with a Flip our cast takes us behind the production to show never before seen footage.  
• “Bless Myself” Official Music Video
• Gag reel
• Deleted Scenes 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of completing my review.  All opinions are my own