The live-action remake of the 1991 Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast” was a not only a score in the box-office, earning well over $874 million, but was a score in the hearts of viewers of all ages. The almost two hour long movie incorporated many traditional aspects, such as costumes, characters, and songs from the earlier version, but it also added new twists such as new songs, characters, and information regarding Belle’s mom.

From the first three seconds of the movie it is obvious that the entire film would be full of elaborate costumes and a drop-dead beautiful and intricate set. In order to live such a luxurious life, it is explained that the Prince (pre-animal form) taxed his people without hesitation giving the first hint that something was “not quite right in his heart.” Serious action takes place in this movie from the very beginning, with the startling entrance of an old lady who interrupts the Prince’s party requesting a place of shelter from the bad weather. Once the Prince refuses the lady’s gift of a rose and her request to stay in the castle, the old lady shows her true self, that of an Enchantress, and places the curse on the Beast. All of the members of the castle are simultaneously cursed and forced to stay at the castle, forgotten by the rest of the world. It is at this point that the selfless Belle is introduced in song while purchasing a book in her village, which is the perfect ode to the earlier version of the tale. The singing throughout the movie was marvelous and diverse from dance numbers, to solos, to group performances. Each character was carefully thought out and brought to life in the updated version. The detail put into the animated characters required a skilled hand, but the lack of visual facial expression from the animations was quite different than expected. However, there was new spin where with each rose petal that falls, the animated characters become less and less human which provided a new sense of urgency to find the Beast’s true love.

The characters themselves could not have been casted more perfectly. Gaston, played by Luke Evans, while not quite as muscular and built as in the animated version, carried with him arrogance, intimidation, and an obvious “love” for Belle that could even be deemed stalker-like. Unlike the animated version, Gaston gets physical with Maurice and ties him to a tree to die in order to marry Belle. Gaston’s sidekick, LeFou, played by Josh Gad, was just as goofy and loyal as in the animation, but was also the character that brought about much controversy due to his gay nature. Maurice, Belle’s father, was played by Kevin Kline who wore the classic glasses and had the hardworking attitude, it was obvious that he and Belle shared a special connection. The Beast, played by Dan Stevens, meet all expectations and looked very similar to the earlier version of the film. In this version, the bond that forms between him and Belle is displayed in more detail and the audience gets to see just how the two spend time together and how they slowly fall in love. From snowball fights, to late night reading in the huge library he gives to Belle, to fancy dinners, the viewer can’t help but hope that Belle realizes how much the Beast loves her. Beast’s belongings match up in both films which include the magical mirror, rose in a vase, and self portrait of his human form which he rips with his claws. Belle, played by Emma Watson, physically matched the animated version, had the perfect voice and audacious attitude, and was never afraid to speak her mind. The dance number with Belle in her traditional flowy yellow dress was a staple that could not be replaced. While Belle’s character is an outcast in both films, in the updated version, she teaches a little girl to read, which is forbidden and even invents a washing machine, which scares the villagers who then dump all of Belle’s clothes through the streets.

One of the major spins on the movie involved the journey to find out information about Belle’s mother. Belle has questions that her father will not answer and when Beast finds out, he comes up with a solution. The two use Beast’s magical mirror to visualize the location of Belle’s birth. It is then that Belle realizes that her mother contracted and died of the plague and that is why her father took Belle and ran. He did everything he could to keep Belle safe, even if it meant abandoning his wife. Obviously heartbroken by the events, Belle and Beast manage to grow closer due to the new form of understanding between them.

All in all, the movie met all my already high expectations. It’s real life quality made an excellent addition to the film and kept it interesting for people of any age. The wolf scenes could get scary for the younger ones, but the Beast soon appears to save the day. When Beast lets Belle go to her father who is in trouble and gives Belle the magical mirror so she can “come back” to him someday, all of us Beast fans wanted to clap aloud. The Enchantress overhears Belle and Beast eventually admit their love for one another while Beast is on his deathbed and so the curse is broken. While skeptical about the Beast’s human form, Belle recognizes the deep blue eyes of her lover and embraces him. There were many morals to be taken from the movie such as don’t judge a book by its cover (or a beast by his fur!), have courage to stand up for what is right (but try not to be put in jail!), and true love comes from unexpected places (possibly a huge castle in the woods?!).

Media Office Rating: 5/5 stars