Beauty and the Beast Film Review by Lauren
I purchased the ticket to see the film; all opinions are my own
To be honest, Beauty and the Beast has never been one of my favorite Disney animated films. I always related to Belle and her love of books though. When I heard the film was going to be turned into a live-action movie and that Emma Watson would be playing Belle, I immediately knew I had to see it! This past Saturday I was finally able to watch the movie, after what seemed like years of waiting, with my mom and sister. By the time the credits rolled – and they are really cool looking credits – all three of us knew that we’d fallen in love with the story of Beauty and her Beast. I thought the acting was done well, and I loved all the songs. I’m a big musical fan so it was exciting to see mostly real people sing these beloved songs, including a few new ones that really added to the film! I especially loved the song that the Beast sings alone. It really makes you feel for the guy beneath the rough exterior. Dan Stevens did a great job as the Beast. It can’t be easy to play that role, and I know he had to do a lot to bring the character to life, such as learning to use stilts. As for Emma, I thought she made a lovely Belle. She was smart and eccentric, and always a genuinely nice person. I thought her singing was lovely and I liked that it sounded like her – it made her seem young and approachable, like Beauty should be in my opinion.
The sets were just breath taking and I love that they actually created these rooms. I’m sure it really helped bring the whole world to life for the actors. The costumes were wonderful – matching the animated film without being corny. As for the secondary characters, I thought everyone was perfectly cast. Luke Evans was a handsome, yet overly irritating (in all the right ways) Gaston and his companion, LeFou was wonderfully played by Josh Gad (the voice of Olaf). If you heard any of the press surrounding the film, then you already know that LeFou was going to be shown as openly gay in the film and that this upset a lot of people. I thought it was great that Disney was going to finally have an openly gay character, but I understand the criticism that LeFou wasn’t “one of the good guys” so to speak or that he was a stereotypical gay man. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but after seeing the movie, I believe that Josh and the film’s creators did the character of LeFou well and made his character – gay or otherwise – one to rejoice!
Finally, I have to mention the castle’s inhabitants. In an animated film, it’s easy to have a singing/talking tea pot and candlestick, but when bringing these elements in a live-action film, it’s easy to see it being done wrong or coming across as corny. However, I think Beauty and the Beast did a great job. All of these characters felt and seemed like people, yet still containing their distinct look of a clock or dresser drawers. The voices for these characters were also fantastic additions to the cast and who included many people I love like Emma Thompson and Ewan McGregor.
Beauty and the Beast was a fantastic addition to the Disney canon and it’s one I’ll definitely buy on DVD for my personal collection!
Sounds like they did it justice!
It's great that you weren't even the biggest B&TB fan but you absolutely loved this book. That to me is a good measure of how outstanding the movie was. I still haven't seen it! I think I might just get the DVD, at this rate. *grumbles about university and graduation* I'm so, so glad this movie did not disappoint! Wonderful review!
Have a fantastic week. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Yay, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I haven't seen it yet but I definitely want to and I'm excited about hopefully getting around to it once my midterms end. Wonderful movie review!!
I have been curious to see this!!! Thanks for the review.
I have been dying to read a review from someone I trust, so I'm glad that you decided to write this post, Lauren! The film sounds absolutely magical – precisely what Beauty and the Beast should be!
xx
I haven't seen it yet but the kids are on spring break next week, so I might just drag them next Friday with the husband. 😀
This is a great review! I really really want to see this film, for once, there are quite a few movies on my must-see list (personally, I have a hard time sitting still, so going to see a movie isn't the easiest thing for me). That said, I'd love to see the costumes, and the acting (didn't know that re: stilts!) and I'm def curious to see how the gay characters play out in the movie (people need to relax with their panties in a wad about this, lol).
XOXO
I really want to see this and I've heard nothing but great things about it so far. So excited you loved it!
Not everyone can get a story like this right, so I already knew I wanted to see Emma Watson in this role. I'm thrilled that you loved the movie as much as I did. The only thing I wish I could have changed was the HUGE crowd. (lol) Great review! Hugs..
I'm so happy to read a positive review of this movie, my local paper kind of slammed it! I agree, the cartoon version wasn't always my favorite, but I am kind of looking forward to seeing it live action!
We were going to see it last night, but my son wasn't feeling so well. SO, we rented Moana instead. I can't wait to see it! We are going to Disney this summer, too, so it makes it even more exciting to me!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
This makes me even more excited to see this film! It's definitely on my list and I'm hoping to catch it this weekend.
I can't wait to go watch Beauty and the Beast myself, it sounds really good!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I'm so glad to hear how much you enjoyed it and I'm glad to hear that Emma does a great job as Belle. I had read a few mixed reviews about her performance. Can't wait to see the film myself!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the film!! I love the cartoon version of Beauty and the Beast and really want to see the real-life version it while it's still in the theatre. Can't wait to check it out 🙂
Wow, sounds like they did this one right! I'm not a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast either although the Emma Watson casting made me curious. Glad they pulled this off- especially using real rooms it sounds like, and making the various animated things look real. I actually kinda want to see this, if only to see the awesome library lol.
I just went to see this today with my older son and my daughter, and we all loved it! (Even my son, who isn't typically a fan of musicals.) I agree that it was perfectly cast, and I loved hearing Emma sing too. I will definitely buy this one when it comes out on DVD!
It wasn't my favorite movie either as a kid, but I can't wait to see this new version!
I think I am the only person to have not seen it yet! Hopefully tonight! I have heard so many great reviews. I am super excited 🙂
i agree with you: the credits were pretty and the sets were amazing. they did such a fine job. emma was good as belle, luke evans was awesome as gaston. i wasn't too keen on emma thompson and ewan mcgregor as mrs. potts and lumiere, but they did well enough.
the live action version of cinderella was a HUGE disappointment to me, so i wasn't sure how i'd like this one, but it's done well. i enjoyed it.
I'll go see it once the crowds die down a bit. Looks like a gorgeous film.
Karen @For What It's Worth
WE loved it too, even Sophia who is two was singing and yelling for Papa when he was taken.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale and I always snag up books with that trope but for some reason just have no desire to see this even with everyone's raves :/ I'm glad you enjoyed it though!
I cannot wait to go see this! So glad to hear you enjoyed it 😀
So glad to hear that it seems like you loved the movie! I still haven't gotten to see it but I've really been wanting too. My husband and I want to find a babysitter so we can go, because I think it may be a little too scary for a 4 year old…? maybe not? I'm not sure. Great film review
Gaston and LeFou were my favorite part of the movie 🙂
I also saw this movie recently, and I wish I could see in ten more times, because it was fantastic! I absolutely loved it, and I will definitely be purchasing the movie and rewatching it over and over and over as soon as I can 😀 Awesome review!
Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
Nice review! I used to love the animated version of the movie as a kid. I prefer more modern heroines like Mulan and Merida but still like Belle because of her love of books. Glad to hear the movie was good and that you enjoyed the acting as well as the songs and the sets. The clips I've seen look fantastic.
It's too bad that people are making a fuss about the movie because of a gay character but maybe that will inspire more people to see the movie. That's how it seems to work with banned books anyway.
I may wait to watch the movie till it is on DVD but I'm sure I'll love it too.
Woo so glad to read all the praise you're giving this because I cannot wait to see it myself! I also will be watching it with my mum, but it'll have to wait until I'm home on the Easter long weekend. I was honestly pretty worried about the corniness of the talking inanimate objects, so I'm relieved to hear they did a good job with that!
I definitely agree! I loved the movie overall. My favorite parts were the sets and costumes. So magical, really brought the animated film to life. I loved LeFou and I don't understand why people were so upset… but then again, I've resigned to thinking I'll never understand some people. Luke Evans is kind of a dream boat! hehe I LOVE LOVE LOVE him in the The Hobbit. It was fun to see him play a drastically different character. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I am doing a review of this later on this week! It's nice to what you think compared to my own thoughts. This thing with the LeFou is that he turns good towards the end so I don't see him as a bad character. I laugh at people who still have a problem with people who are gay. Get over yourself.