Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
- Produced by Christopher Scott, Jane Startz, Rachel Watanabe-Batton
- Screenplay by David Light, Joseph Raso, Tamara Chestna, Mindy Stern, George Gore II
Based on Cinderella by Charles Perrault
Story by Mindy Stern, George Gore II, David Light, Joseph Raso
- Starring: Chosen Jacobs, Lexi Underwood, Devyn Nekoda, Bryan Terrell Clark, Kolton Stewart, Hayward Leach, Robyn Alomar, Yvonne Senat Jones, Juan Chioran & John Salley.
Executive producers: Jane Startz, Rachel Watanabe-Batton
Edited by Ishai Setton
Cinematography: Matt Sakatani Roe
- Production Companies: Jane Startz Productions, Maple Plus Productions Inc., Disney Channel
Distributed by Disney+, Disney Platform Distribution
The plot: El is an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who works in a shoe store that once belonged to his late mother. He hides his artistic talent from his stepfather and two mean stepbrothers who constantly thwart any opportunity that comes his way.
I wanted to watch this film today.
Sneakerella was surprisingly entertaining.
Pros: What the film gets right is taking the plot of Cinderella and doing something fresh & different with it. I liked how dedicated this film was to sneakers. I enjoyed the performances from Lexi Underwood, Chosen Jacobs & Devyn Nekoda the most. I think they did very well with the twist at the end of this movie.
Cons: It does feel like the film was on a budget at times, and not up to Disney standards. Other people might not appreciate this movie and its similarities to Cinderella.
Cast & Characters:
- Chosen Jacobs as El, an aspirant sneaker designer from Queens who works as a stock boy in his late mother’s shoe store.
- Lexi Underwood as Kira King, the beautiful and “fiercely independent” daughter of Darius King.
- John Salley as Darius King, a sneaker tycoon and former basketball star.
- Yvonne Senat Jones as Denise King, Darius’ wife.
- Devyn Nekoda as Sami, El’s openly lesbian best friend.
- Juan Chioran as Gustavo, a friendly neighbor of El’s.
- Robyn Alomar as Liv, Kira’s sister.
- Bryan Terrell Clark as Trey, El’s overburdened stepfather who runs his late wife’s shoe store, from whom El keeps his sneaker designer talents a secret.
- Kolton Stewart as Zelly, El’s mean-spirited stepbrother from whom El keeps his sneaker designer talents a secret.
- Hayward Leach as Stacy, El’s mean-spirited stepbrother and Zelly’s brother from whom El keeps his sneaker designer talents a secret.
- Mekdes Teshome as Rosie, El’s late mother who was loved by all.
- Elia Press as Sneakerhead, always on the look out for the latest sneaker drop.
- Andrew Ward as Sneaker Buster, a popular sneaker authenticator social media influencer.
- William Crockett as Sneak-Disser, a battle rapper known for his fresh kicks.
I will recommend watching this film on Disney+ to anyone who is into shoes.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident film reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe.