A Time Capsule That Still Hits Hard

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MOVIE REVIEWS
Cinderella – In Concert
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Genre: Metal, Concert Film
Year Released: 2005, Cleopatra Entertainment Blu-ray 2026
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Cinderella
Where to Watch: available March 6, 2026, pre-order your copy here: www.cleorecs.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: CINDERELLA – IN CONCERT captures a band doing exactly what it was built to do, playing loud and playing like it has something to prove. Filmed during the Heartbreak Station tour in 1991 and later edited into this concert film, the release functions less as a novelty and more as a document of a group operating at full force. This isn’t a behind-the-scenes profile or a career retrospective. It’s a straightforward performance showcase, and that restraint turns out to be one of its biggest strengths.

By the early 90s, Cinderella had already outlasted the caricature that followed many Sunset Strip bands. While their peers leaned harder into excess or visuals, Cinderella pivoted toward grit, blues influence, and songwriting that could stand on its own without pageantry. That shift is all over this performance. The songs breathe and carry weight in a live setting that feels iconic rather than theatrical.

Tom Keifer remains the undeniable focal point here. His voice, already roughened and expressive on recordings, translates to the stage with precision. There’s a rasp that feels like he’s earned it rather than performative, and the setlist allows him room to move between power ballads and restraint. He doesn’t oversell the emotion, and he doesn’t coast on nostalgia. The performance suggests a singer fully aware of his limits and strengths, and smart enough to lean into both.

What stands out across the full runtime is how cohesive the band sounds. Eric Brittingham’s bass work keeps the foundation solid without drawing attention away from the songs, while Jeff LaBar’s guitar playing balances blues with hard rock precision. Fred Coury’s drumming drives the set but never overplays, letting the material dictate the momentum rather than ego. This is a group locked in, listening to each other, and trusting the catalog.

The tracklist is lengthy without feeling bloated. Songs like ‘Night Songs’ and ‘Nobody’s Fool’ hit home with a familiar impact. There’s a looseness to the performances that suggests confidence rather than rehearsed perfection. ‘Gypsy Road’ and ‘Shelter Me’, in particular, benefit from the live setting, gaining a grit and urgency that reinforce why these songs connected in the first place.

The camera work is functional, focused on capturing performance rather than manufacturing drama. That simplicity works in its favor. There’s no attempt to overhaul or reframe the presentation for a contemporary audience. It trusts that the music is enough, and for the most part, it is. The remastering helps without becoming a distraction. The 5.1 surround mix offers a fuller presence, while the stereo option delivers a clean, balanced presentation. Neither feels overly processed. The included photo slideshow is a modest bonus, more archival than revelatory, but it fits the package without overstaying its welcome.

What this release avoids, intentionally or not, is myth-making. There’s no forced tale imposed on the band’s legacy, no attempt to frame this as a last stand or a defining moment. Instead, it plays like a snapshot of a working band in its prime. That honesty carries weight. It also reinforces why Cinderella often gets underestimated in conversations about that era. They weren’t chasing the trends. They were refining a sound that blended hard rock, blues, and grit with discipline.

As a concert film, CINDERELLA – IN CONCERT succeeds by understanding its purpose. It doesn’t attempt to rewrite history or elevate itself beyond what it is. It presents a band playing to its strengths, captured with a focus and preserved with care. The result is a reminder that Cinderella’s reputation should be rooted in musicianship as much as image, and that their songs hold up when stripped of the era that produced them.

For fans of the band, or for anyone interested in live documents that prioritize performance over packaging, it delivers with confidence. It’s a solid, satisfying release that respects both the music and the audience, and it earns its place as more than just a nostalgic artifact.

Bonus Materials:
Includes both 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo Audio options. As a bonus, an exclusive slideshow of rare photos is included.

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[photo courtesy of CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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