Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
In this modern telling of the classic tale, aspiring singer Katie Gibbs falls for the new boy at her performing arts high school. But Katie's wicked stepmother and stepsister are scheming to crush her dream before she can sing her way into his heart.
A third entry in the direct-to-video Cinderella Story franchise, Once Upon a Song follows the same well-worn template with minimal creative deviation — a new setting (performing arts school) is the only real tweak to an already recycled formula. Plot is formulaic even by franchise standards, hitting every predictable beat without surprise. Acting is serviceable but unremarkable from a largely unknown cast. Cinematography is competent TV-movie level work with no distinctive visual choices. Novelty scores lowest as this is a transparently derivative retread of the first film's structure with a musical coat of paint. The ending delivers the expected feel-good resolution with enough musical energy to satisfy its target audience.