Throughout the past four years, Disney has remade a number of their animated films and turned them into live-action films.

The quality of the films have been mixed, but the profits have been great. With "Cinderella," the company has made a faithful adaptation of the classic animated film and has put together a solidly fluid story with a great cast and subtle direction.

The film tells the story of Ella (Lily James) who finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), and her daughters when her father passes away unexpectedly. However, she does give up hope, and Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger, the Prince (Richard Madden), in the woods.

The story is played out with nothing revelatory. However, what makes this movie such a treat is the fact that director Kenneth Branagh allows his actors to really get into their characters and shoots the film in such a subtle way. At many times rather than focus on the décor or the beautiful costumes, Branagh keeps the shot on the performance and allows audiences to really identify with the character. For instance when Ella finds out that her father has died, Branagh cuts to Lady Tremaine to see what her reaction is, but after that he only cuts twice: a close-up of Ella and a medium shot of Ella lie on the floor crying.

Another moment that shows the emphasis on character is the ball scene. When Ella and the Prince dance, Branagh hardly ever cuts away from the two dancing. There are a couple of cutaway shots that show other characters' reactions, but Branagh makes sure the focus always remains on the romantic moment.

Another thing that makes this "Cinderella" work so well is the lack of emphasis on visual effects. "Alice in Wonderland" and "Maleficent" focused so much on the environments and magical effects that sometimes it seemed the works were more about the next best effect. In "Cinderella" the effects never take away from the story, and instead they are entwined organically. Never do they feel like artifice or unnecessary. For example, when the Fairy Godmother appears and turns the mice into horses and the pumpkins into a carriage, the sequence is expected, and it becomes a truly magical moment in the film.

The main ingredients to this highly satisfying film are the performances by Lily James and Cate Blanchett. James is a striking Cinderella who shows strength, kindness, innocence and vulnerability to create a complex individual. In the aforementioned scene when she finds out her father dies, James' face tries to hold in the tears, and when she finally lets them out, it is heartbreaking. In her scenes with Blanchett's Lady Tremaine, James shows her vulnerable side, but also allows audiences to see a strong and resilient side.

Rather than start crying each time she is humiliated, this Cinderella sometimes makes jokes and tries to keep a positive attitude. James is also allowed to show her singing voice in a scene when she is locked up in the palace.

Blanchett's Lady Tremaine is not your typical villain. In many instances, Blanchett gives this character three dimensions. At the beginning of the film when she first marries Ella's father, she shows a tender side. There is also a moment of vulnerability. In a scene where Blanchett's Termaine realizes she will never be able to get the love of Ella's father, Blanchett's face shows sadness, but at the same time, envy.

However, Blanchett is best in the moments of her villainy. It is evident in her elegant movements and condescending language toward Ella that she is enjoying the character, and it comes so naturally.

Richard Madden is a dashing Prince who solidly creates a tender and valiant character that is easily likable.

Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera are the comic relief as the stepsisters. They particularly stand out in a scene where McShera's Drisella is singing, and Grainger's Anastasia paints. Drisella's off-key singing and Anastasia's lackluster artwork provide over-the-top comedy that is enhanced by Blanchett's sarcasm.

Helena Bonham Carter brings out her wittiness in the short but crucial role of fairy godmother. Hayley Atwell is tender as Ella's mother. Meanwhile, Derek Jacobi brings his charismatic charm to his role as the king. Stellan Skarsgard gives another solid performance as the villainous grand duke.

The sets by Dante Ferretti are magical and always maintain the period charm of the movie. While they are grandiose and lavish, Ferretti always maintains subtlety that never interferes with the narrative focus. Sandy Powell's costumes are unique, giving Ella a vibrant blue pastelle while Lady Tremaine's costumes are filled with dark greens, blacks and burgundies. The stepsisters get some zany costumes, and the Prince matches the color scheme of Ella. Patrick Doyle's score provides for some of the most memorable tunes in recent Disney picks and add a level of magic to the film.

All in all, "Cinderella" is a solid movie that returns Disney to the magic that made the animated films classics.