Beauty and the Beast (2017) Review

My Review of the 2017 live Action version of Beauty and the Beast ★★★

The live action all star cast version of Beauty and the Beast has finally arrived on silver screens across the globe and if Facebook and other forms of social media are anything to go by, people are really excited!

I went to see the film this past Friday (St. Patrick's Day) on it's release date at 10pm in my local cinema. It was the final screening of the day of the film so my boyfriend and I were the only two people in the screening room which coincidentally has only ever happened in another Disney movie which was Finding Dory. So, after settling in with our drinks and popcorn, we were treated to what I have to say was an enjoyable, if slightly bland at times experience.

The movie opens of course with the Prince being cursed by the enchantress and turned into the Beast, the opening title does bring a complete sense of nostalgia and excitement, as does many aspects of the movie, particularly some of the musical numbers from the original film. It then proceeds to tell the tale that is as old as time in a familiar way with some new and differently detailed aspects to it including new songs and scenes featuring Maurice, Gaston and Lefou. Some of these sequences, in particular the now infamous but extremely funny and tame ones with Gaston and Lefou are extremely enjoyable and give the film a touch of originality.

The characters were wonderfully cast, in particular Luke Evans as Gaston. I found his musical numbers and the touches of comedy in his performance to be excellent, I really do feel he gave a layered performance and suited the role to a T. The star studded voices of the enchanted castle objects that include of course Mrs. Potts (the always amazing Emma Thompson) Lumiere (Ewan McGregor) and Cogsworth (Ian McKellen) were a joy to watch, and their animation and design was so beautiful and well executed. The first scene featuring these characters all together was one of the best moments of the movie. The Beast was portrayed by Dan Stevens, an actor I wasn't familiar with, although I think he could have added a bit more depth to his performance, I did enjoy it and some of his comedic touches were a fun addition at times. The only real bum note for me in the entire movie has to be Emma Watson's portrayal of Belle. I know many many people, in particular Harry Potter fans which I am not, will love her in this role, however I just felt she was entirely miss cast. As a true Disney lover and fan, I have a real affection for the character of Belle, and I felt Emma Watson just did not do her justice. The whimsy and adventurous spirit of the role that Paige O'Hara portrayed so well in the animated version just wasn't there at all. I do of course understand that she wanted to give her own twist on the character, but that doesn't necessarily mean it was the right twist and I feel her performance may effect some people's enjoyment of the film, as it did mine.

Altogether this movie was enjoyable as a whole, it had sumptous, beautiful set designs, comedic moments, the right amount of drama and romance as well as that sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the original masterpiece. Unfortunately it will never come close for me to the magic of that one and I feel that the live action versions of Cinderella and The Jungle Book were far more superior movies. Having said that I do highly recommend it for any Disney fan, if only for the childhood memories it might conjure up. So please, if you're a Disney fan and feel like going to see this on the silver screen, Be My Guest.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sineadpoppins/