‘Beauty and the Beast’ movie review

It’s a tale as old as time.  The live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has big shoes to fill with its classic 1991 predecessor in the shadows.  The anticipation is over.  The new version succeeds on so many levels.  It’s a stylish old-fashioned musical with visually dazzling production numbers and an immensely talented ensemble cast.  Director Bill Condon is no stranger to the musical genre.  He wrote the screenplays for ‘Chicago’ and ‘Dreamgirls.’  He has also helmed two of the Twilight films to huge box office numbers.  It is a daunting task taking on one of the most beloved animated films of all time.  ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will appeal to young and old alike.  It is an enchanting homage to the classic.

From the opening song, the movie grabs you.  Belle (Emma Watson), an independent-minded bookworm sings out, “There must be more than this provincial life.”  She lives in a small French village where she is seen as an outcast for her love of literature and liberal way of thinking.  She is protective of her eccentric father Maurice (Kevin Kline) and shuns the advances of the local hunk, Gaston (Luke Evans).  Comic relief is provided by Gaston’s loyal sidekick, Le Fou (Josh Gad).  There has been considerable talk about his sexuality.  It’s completely blown out of proportion by the media.  While he visibly has a crush on his compatriot, there is absolutely nothing flamboyant about the character that should alarm parents.  In one musical number, if you blink you might miss him dancing with another guy.  Gad is hilarious in the role and actually is a scene-stealer.

Of course what makes the story of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ so endearing is the possibility of Belle finding true love.  “There may be something there that wasn’t there before” is a lyric from one of the songs in the film.  Due to a series of unfortunate events, Belle ends up imprisoned inside a gothic castle belonging to a beast (Dan Stevens).  In a sense, the beast is a prisoner too.  He was once a handsome prince that insulted a sorceress who cast an evil spell on him.  The only way to break the spell is for a woman to fall in love with him.  At first, it is rough going as the beast displays hostile behavior toward Belle.  It’s the beast’s servants that were also placed in a spell as enchanted household objects that make the film so delightful.  The magical staff includes a tea pot named Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), Cogsworth the clock (Ian McKellen), Lumiere the candlestick (Ewan McGregor), Madame Garderobe (Audra McDonald) and Maestro Cadenza (Stanley Tucci).  Through dazzling musical numbers including the show-stopping “Be Our Guest,” they help Belle look past the beast’s menacing exterior and hopefully sway her to fall in love with his kind soul.

The new script by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and Evan Spiliotopoulos (The Huntsman: Winter War) fleshes out certain relationships in the story.  The backstory of Maurice and Belle is touching.  There is also a poignant moment that deals with loss of the Beast’s and Belle’s mothers in their lives.  There’s a darker side of Gaston that he shows when he gets frustrated with Belle’s rejection.  These minor adjustments are fine and dandy but it’s the sweeping musical numbers that will captivate audiences.  Beyond the music and lavish costumes, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ works due to Emma Watson’s superb performance as Belle.  She has come a long way from her days as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series.  She has matured into a wonderful actress.

Disney’s live-action fairy tale is guaranteed to delight audiences.  The movie is lavish, magical and filled with show-stopping musical numbers. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is still enchanting after all these years and well worth your time.

 

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