Cinderella II revisits the seen of the grime

Cindy no longer suffers at the hands of her wicked stepmother. But a stuffy staff and confining royal protocol make her miserable at first.

Cinderella may be royal now, but she hasn't forgotten her roots. As these princess diaries show, she's a populist who prefers informal attire, mingling with commoners and even cooking her own breakfast.

Things get tough when hubby goes away and Cindy must plan a royal banquet in two days.

"I'm a complete failure as a princess," she moans, then rallies by realizing she just needs "to stop trying to be someone else."

"I'm going to plan this banquet my way," Cinderella says spunkily. It's not quite like Scarlett O'Hara proclaiming, "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!" but you get the idea.

Other tales involve the same theme, as Cinderella generously helps pinched stepsister Anastasia find a beau and mouse Jacques becomes human, then wishes he hadn't.

The meager stories stall, but a spring festival lends liveliness and the creators smartly focus on comic antics of the palace critters and some bouncy musical numbers.

Cinderella II reprises the original's A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. The latter also is reworked into a rousing hip-hop theme called Put It Together, sung by Brooke Allison over the end credits.

Other new songs are so-so, though they sport worthy messages about following your heart.

The voice cast is fine, with Jennifer Hale as Cinderella and Christopher Daniel Barnes (The Brady Bunch Movie) as the Prince.

A new palace feline appears and bad puddy-tat Lucifer returns, along with Cindy's miserable stepfamily.

For adults, Cinderella II takes nostalgic affection to a new realm, albeit one lacking the lush animation and stronger story of the original. For kids it should be a palace full of fun, via the steady focus on cat and mouse escapades.