DVD Reviews

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song – DVD Review

By June L. Sep 11, 2011, 14:03 GMT

$It\'s a modern and enchanting twist on an enduring classic! Katie (Lucy Hale of$

It\'s a modern and enchanting twist on an enduring classic! Katie (Lucy Hale of "Pretty Little Liars") dreams of being a recording artist but is continually thwarted by her cruel stepmother (Missi Pyle) and stepsister (Megan Park of "The Secret Life of an American Teenager"). 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. ...more

Everyone loves a Cinderella story, because it is perhaps the most romantic of scenarios when a young struggling heroine is noticed by a handsome prince whose love sweeps her away from her unhappy life to a fairytale existence.

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song is a modern retelling of the timeless tale and stars Lucy Hale as the resourceful and beleaguered young woman whose dreams do come true.

The ABC Family Movie A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song will appeal to youngsters and entertain their parents. With bright and beautiful Lucy Hale playing the lead role of Katie whose dream to be a singer has little chance of coming true, and the hilarious Missi Pyle as her wicked stepmother blocking her at every turn both comic and dramatic moments shine.

These actresses punch up what could be stereotypical fare into new and intriguing creations. Exaggerated as only a fairy tale can be, and yet with a sense of truth, A Cinderella Story sparkles with romance, music and well portrayed characters.

There is even a rotten little stepbrother whose goals in life appear to be determining what will cause the most annoyance to Katie and what will disrupt her plans the most effectively.

Prince Charming is Luke (Freddie Stroma) a new student at Katie’s performing arts high school. Courted by all the students as his father is a recording mogul, Luke just wants a normal school year.

Katie hopes to impress him with her musical ability, but her stepsister played by Megan Park overshadows her claiming to have the amazing voice that has enchanted Luke. He believes her story, and for a time is attracted to the wrong sister.

The music in this production includes four original songs which fit the modern times and the characters, with both ballads and on stage production numbers. All in all it is a fun, and entertaining film, a good chapter in the ongoing Cinderella legend that will make a nice addition to family DVD collections.

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song DVD is presented on single disc with some nice special features. First up is “Spotlighting Lucy Hale: Our New Cinderella” which chronicles the journey of the young actress as she becomes Cinderella for this film.

Nest is “Meet Prince Charming” which introduces audiences to Freddie Stroma who plays the charming Luke.

Because this production is all about music, “A Cinderella Story: Make Em Move” has Lucy Hale and Co-Star Jessalyn Wanlim (Katie’s best friend Angela) demonstrating some of the dance steps from the film. “Flipin’ On the Set” is a behind the scenes look at the cast and crew as they are filming the story. Finally there is a full music video for new song “Bless Myself.”