Cinderella II: Dreams Come True

Marketing-savvy Disney has been aggressive in producing home video originals to extend the shelf life of its classic animated features and beloved characters. Unlike the straight sequels (The Hunchback of Notre Dame II) and "next generation" stories (The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure), however, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True is a mildly magical anthology of three stories featuring the characters introduced in Disney's 1950 masterwork. In the first, newlywed Cinderella is thrust into the role of Royal Hostess, but finds herself at odds with stuffy tradition. In the second, comical mouse Jacques wishes he were human. And in the third, Cinderella works her redemptive magic on one of her wicked stepsisters, who finds her own true love after she learns to smile. Hardly the primal experience of a Pinocchio or Bambi, but this blandly pleasant time-killer for kids is an optional purchase. (K. Lee Benson)[DVD Review—Jan. 8, 2008—Walt Disney, 73 min., G, $29.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 2002's Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (Special Edition) sports a nice transfer. DVD extras include a “Musical Magic” featurette (6 min.), “Race to the Royal Banquet” and “Cinderella's Enchanted Castle” games, “A Little Misunderstanding” interactive DVD storybook, a “Put It Together” music video performed by Brooke Allison, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a so-so direct-to-video release.][Blu-ray Review—Nov. 20, 2012—Walt Disney, 148 min., G, $39.99—Making their first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and 2007's Cinderella III: A Twist in Time both feature great transfers and DTS-HD 5.1 soundtracks. Extras include two “Becoming a Princess” featurettes which showcase the “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique” at Disney theme parks (9 min.), “Musical Magic” on the score (6 min.), the “Put It Together” music video, and bonus DVD copies of the films. Bottom line: although neither Cinderella sequel approaches the original, there's a lot of Cinderella bang for the buck here thanks to the separate extra DVD disc versions.]