Why the comparison of "Cinderella" and "Ever After" is so inevitable

Inevitable? It's already happening! And for good reason.

Some are wondering (I know I shouldn't, but I read the comments) why the comparison is being made between the shiny new "Cinderella" and dingy old "Ever After." I should think it's fairly obvious, just from a "this is how it goes" standpoint.

They're both adaptations of a popular fairy tale. It would be surprisng if they weren't compared.

Being compared to a much beloved feminist retelling of a fairy tale is hard. Especially when retelling Cinderella. Double especially when there seems to be little promise of the film being that much different from Disney's original animated version.

Full disclosure: Cinderella is my least favorite princess and "Cinderella" the film is not among the many Disney films I watch when I want to feel happy or enchanted or feel like maybe, just maybe, if I keep plodding on and don't give up, my dreams will come true.

That last bit might seem odd, seeing as how that's exactly what Cinderella does. But it's just not the same. Disney's Cinderella is so passive, she's barely a player in her own game. She's more like an NPC while player characters like her stepmother and the prince just use her to fulfill goals on the way to their own happy ending.

Sure, she's sweet. She cares about the animals in her home and she's a hard worker. And yes, her story even makes sense for the time period and the actual stresses she's supposedly under. But let's add mice that make clothes and a fairy godmother and look at it again. It didn't need to be historically accurate by any means, and every time I see a new Cinderella story I hope for that one that will play by fantasy rules instead of the confines of "accurateness."

More disclosure: I've yet to see the new, 2015 "Cinderella." I wasn't planning on seeing it and had just been ignoring it until now. Reading reviews and interesting articles lead me to the discovery that Kenneth Branagh, who I massively respect as a director, actor and all around masterful artist, directed the film. Now I might go see it, but I'm wary.

One thing that was brought to my attention was the interesting idea of this new "Cinderella" touting some good lessons on how to deal with bullying.

Vanity Fair's article entitled "When did Cinderella get so nice?" brought up the idea that this new Cinderella shows her strength through resiliency, and that's not a bad trait to have.

The article makes the comparison to Katniss; that in a world of bullying, Katniss with her bow and arrows isn't helpful, but resiliency and a positive attitude is. It's kind of true. There are times when girls (and boys too), can't fight back to get out of a jam, they just have to make it through the abuse they're facing. Whether it's a bully at school or abuse at home, there isn't an out for them.

Just like Cinderella.

While I still want the Cinderella that can rely more heavily on it's station in the realm of fantasy, play up the fairy godmother and play down the "reality" for a less passive character, I'm seeing how a Cinderella who can just take the abuse she can't possibly escape, and live through it, could be a blessing in disquise. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, with this new idea in mind, I'm willing to give this new "Cinderella" film a chance. Also because I love Kenneth Branagh, not gonna lie.