Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Beauty and The Beast

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Audra McDonald
Director: Bill Condon
Running Time: 2 hours, 9 minutes
Rating: PG

I grew up loving animated Disney films like any other child born in the late 1980s. I'm also a fan of the live action remakes of late, which prove to be both entertaining and nostalgic. "Beauty and The Beast" is just that: it reminded me of songs and quotes I hadn't thought of in decades, and it left me smiling and humming as I left the theatre. It ran a touch long, and it was a little too gray scale for me - even the infamous yellow dress Belle wears seemed kind of dull! But for the most part, I was happily transported back to my childhood. Audiences of any age will be entertained.

This cast is incredible, though you might not realize it until the end. Many of the supporting actors are in disguise throughout the film - Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts - the list goes on and on. Emma Watson does a fine job in such an iconic role, bringing a fierce girl power attitude, more than I remember being in the original. 2017 Belle is fiesty! She turns down frequent marriage proposals from Gaston (played by Luke Evans, though it should have been Chris Pine) which pleases LeFou, Gaston's sidekick. LeFou is eloquently played by Josh Gad, bringing an honorable dimension to the first openly gay character in a Disney movie. After an excellent opening montage, Belle's father (Kevin Kline) goes missing in the woods. She sets off to find him as Alan Menken's soaring score begins, and we get ready for the adventure ahead.

The Beast's castle is stunning - I think we all remember that gorgeous library! The gradual building of Belle and the Beast's relationship is handled well and delicately. Many articles have been remarking how interesting it is that she is indeed being held captive by a non-human, and that they end up falling in love. The film does a good job at showing the Beast's human qualities, which is really the only way this would work. I would be remiss not to mention the classic "Be Our Guest" montage - it is over the top with a combination of live action and animation. It's beautiful but a little dizzying!

No spoilers here: the spell is broken, Belle and the Beast fall in love (Dan Stevens really is a sight for sore eyes), the household objects return to human form and you'll find yourself with a huge grin on your face. I'm eager to re-watch the original for comparison, but this film honors the legacy of the animated classic, and does it justice. I was delighted with this film and think you will be, too!

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