This live-action retelling of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was one of my most anticipated films of the last couple years. I had a lot of hope for it, but tried to keep my expectations at bay. While it didn’t have a chance of overcoming my love for the animated film, the other recent Disney remakes gave me great hope that this film would stand tall on its own, while keeping the original spirit alive. This film was the first full musical that Disney has done with the live-action remakes, so I was interested to hear the songs and how they would compare to the original. I bought the soundtrack the week before the film came out, which really helped me get familiar with the new songs and vocals.
The story of Belle and the Beast begins with a greedy young prince as he turns away an old beggar woman, offering him a rose in exchange for warmth from the cold. As he laughs at her, she transforms into a beautiful enchantress, cursing him and his castle. Unless he can find someone to love him as the beastly figure she turns him into before the time she sets runs out, they will remain cursed forever.
The cast was filled with some genius choices, with Emma Watson leading in the head role of Belle. She brought her kindness and brains to the role, alongside Dan Stevens (the Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (LeFou), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Emma Thompsen (Mrs. Potts), Ewan McGregor (Lumière), and Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), rounding out the primary cast of characters. I personally found Luke Evans and Josh Gad the strongest vocally, but was overall impressed with all the performances. When the trailers first started being released, I was a little unsure of how the castle objects would work in the live-action format, but as I watched, their style and design fit right in.
All the parts that make the original Disney story so wonderful were brought to life, but with a few added scenes and expansions upon the tale. I would say that the new aspects to the story were not quite what I would have had in mind, but they didn’t necessarily hinder the film. I was most unsure about the expansion of the Enchantress (who places the curse upon the castle), who they didn’t give us any explanation about who she was and where she came from, even though she appeared in multiple scenes. I also wasn’t overly thrilled with a book that allows the Beast to travel wherever he wants. This helped us learn more about Belle’s mother, but I thought it was a bit random. If they felt the need to add that moment, they should have just had the …mirror also have that feature. For some reason Lumière's legs also stood out to me as funny, considering he just bounces around in the animated film. It made me laugh more than anything, especially as he danced his way through “Be Our Guest.”
Those little moments aside, I felt like the film successfully brought the story to life in only the way Disney can. The Beauty and the Beast is a story that has been made in many ways and retellings, but the Disney one is the version that is truly beloved. Not only does it show that kindness and love can grow, even in unexpected places, it also displays the power of knowledge and openness. This film did all those things well, with a solid soundtrack and wonderful set designs.
Lastly, when the film was announced, I felt that Disney would finally give us a proper name for the Beast. For years, people have called him Prince Adam when he is in his human form, but it has never been confirmed. I think it would have been fun for them to confirm it here. Nonetheless, the film was perfectly magical and I know I will watch it many more times to come.
(…now bring on the live-action Mulan.)
No comments:
Post a Comment