The 2021 Amazon Studios film
Cinderella
offers up a pop-musical version of the classic fairy tale. A mix of jukebox throwbacks and original songs with no common composer, the soundtrack opens with a cast performance of
Janet Jackson
's "Rhythm Nation" featuring
Camila Cabello
as our heroine, Ella, and
Idina Menzel
as the stepmother. It leads into a portion of
Des-ree
's "You Gotta Be," which in turn develops into a mash-up of the two songs. The
Cabello
solo "Million to One" is up next, delivering a character-driven power ballad before
Ben Bailey Smith
, better known as rapper
Doc Brown
, lightens the mood with a playful expository rap as the Town Crier. The movie's cast also includes
Nicholas Galitzine
as the crown prince and, as the (truly) Fabulous Godmother,
Billy Porter
, who fittingly shines on a dramatic version of
Earth, Wind & Fire
's "Shining Star." With other covers spanning material made famous by
Ed Sheeran
,
Queen
Madonna
the White Stripes
Jennifer Lopez
, and more, and original songs leaning toward stage-musical pop stylings, this
is nothing if not changeable. The soundtrack recording closes with a six-minute "Score Suite" by composers
Mychael Danna
and
Jessica Rose Weiss
. ~ Marcy Donelson