You might think I’ve been watching nothing but Disney cartoons lately and, on some level, you might be right. But a lot have come out recently and they’re ALWAYS worth a rewatch.

I wasn’t looking forward to rewatching Cinderella as much as the others. It’s really never been my favorite of the Disney Princess movies…which I suppose is weird for a 32 year old man to say. Why should I have a favorite princess film?

I’m not sure I do, but Cinderella wouldn’t be it if I did.

Watching it again, though, I’m betrayed by my childhood feelings. This is a beautifully animated classic with an incredible aesthetic and design. It’s got all of the animation techniques hinted at in Snow White and delivered perfectly.

For my taste, though, it would have had more dragons and stuff, which is why I love Sleeping Beauty so much…. which, now that I think about it, is probably my favorite of the Princess movies.

Despite my personal lukewarm feelings about this movie, it holds up remarkably well. The Blu-ray transfer is very clean and the music is iconic. And the mice, Jaq and Gus, have some good Chip and Dale like bits. Cinderella has all the hallmarks of a current YA novel, though. You’ve got a girl in a horrible situation, living with a surrogate parent, mistreated to all hell but with a heart of gold. Then, when she overcomes, there’s reason to cheer. And I love the themes of rebellion against oppressive and revolution.

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to get this disc is the inclusion of the Tangled short that premiered earlier in the year featuring the horse and chameleon from that film. Tangled was great and the short was just as good.

Though I enjoyed the documentary about “The Real Fairy Godmother,” I would have loved to see an making-of documentary, though. Perhaps next time.

There’s also an intro to Cinderella by Diane Disney Miller filmed at the Walt Disney Family museum. It puts the film in context, but it also reminds me to recommend you go to the Walt Disney Family museum. It’s at the Presidio and has one of the most impressive museum installations I’ve ever borne witness to. It was a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

Cinderella is out today and, like all the Disney Blu-rays, is worth picking up. You can snag it from Amazon. If you’re a fan of animation, a fan of Disney, a fan of classics, or a fan of Tangled, there’s compelling reasons to grab it ASAP.