DVD Corner's blog

A Cinderella Story: Starstruck DVD Review

Bailee Madison carries “A Cinderella Story: Starstruck.”

In 2021’s “A Cinderella Story: Starstruck,” the story revolves around a wannabe actress (Finley) who lives with her stepsister, stepbrother and stepmother on her late father’s farm in a small Idaho town. Finley is treated like dirt by her step siblings and stepmother and basically has to do everything around the farm. One day, Finley and her “family” learns that a musical movie version of Billy The Kid is coming to town to film and is seeking extras. Despite being denied by her stepmother to go, Finley auditions but it turns into a disaster. She does, however, catch the eye of the lead actor (Jackson). Unwilling to give up, Finley disguises herself as a guy named Huckleberry to audition and winds up landing a role. As Finley tries to keep her disguise a secret from everyone, she finds herself falling for Jackson. Will the truth come out? Will her dreams come crashing down? Will Finley find love? You probably already know the answers to these questions.

Writer/director Michelle Johnston’s “A Cinderella Story: Starstruck” is the sixth installment in this franchise. Like the other entries in the series, it’s basically just a reworked version of the same Cinderella story only this one is country flavored. Well, I suppose it’s technically a country version mixed with a behind-the-scenes movie production story mixed with a musical. At any rate, you know what to expect from this movie. It’s competently made, but is just a by-the-numbers sequel. I’m sure it’s a comfort movie to those that love this franchise and or variations of the classic Cinderella tale. For everyone else, I doubt there’s much appeal.

The sole reason the movie works at all is due to star Bailee Madison. The former child star has really honed her acting skills over the years. She’s way too talented for this and should be in bigger and better things. Richard Harmon (the vindictive stepbrother Kale) and Lillian Doucet-Roche (the airhead stepsister Saffron) are also memorable in their roles.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1. How does it look? Expect a quality standard definition transfer. 

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. How does it sound? This is a clear 5.1 track.

Extras include 2 featurettes titled “Finley’s Best Friends: Meet The Farm Animals” and “Dirt Under My Nails: The Making Of A Cinderella Story: Starstruck.”

July 19, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | A Cinderella Story, A Cinderella Story: Starstruck DVD Review