Like all good fairy tales, the tale of Beauty and the Beast dates back many centuries…. To 1740 France for this one …… and like all good fairy tales, has stood the test of time. Sure, there have been some updates and many re-workings, but once you remove all the fluff and Disney Princess imagery, the message remains the same: True beauty and true love lies within.
I was not familiar with the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast so it was all new for me and, as with all things Disney Princess, I am a little bit eye roll-ey and a little bit femi-nazi. That’s my disclaimer.
For those as unfamiliar with the story as I was …. the Beast (Stevens) is an arrogant man who offends a Sorceress and is changed into a beast. Only true love can redeem him. He and his servants (who also copped the curse) languish in a great castle, forgotten by the world. One day, Maurice (Kline) stumbles across the castle and is imprisoned by the Beast. His feisty and fearless daughter Belle (Watson) shows up to rescue him and takes his place. The servants, who have been changed into household items, conspire to help the pair fall in love and thus break the curse.
Prior to her imprisonment, Belle is pursued by the local handsome buffoon (Evans) and it is he that causes endless trouble for Belle, the Beast and Belle’s father.
I didn’t want to enjoy this movie but I certainly did. As my regular readers will know, I am not a fan of musicals so that kinda irked me but Disney songs actually move the plot along so it is not too bad.
My movie buddy sang along to a few of the songs. She ‘blamed’ her song knowledge on her twins who watched the cartoon version endlessly as children. Ha ha likely story. I teased her mercilessly but in reality, I can’t help but admire someone who loves movies so much as I do. Even Disney musicals.
Watson was perfectly cast as Belle. Perfectly. She is beautiful in an every girl kind of way and I’m sure she speaks to millions of little girls who are sweet, bookish, smart and a little bit odd. True love lies within and that starts with loving yourself, being yourself and believing in yourself. That message goes for big girls as well. Love being you.
Evans was great as the handsome boorish buffoon but it was Gad as his loyal sidekick who almost stole their scenes together. Almost.
All in all, a lovely movie for everyone. It doesn’t pack the punch of Frozen but it works wonderfully well. Am I a Disney convert? Ummmm no …. but stranger things have happened.
3 ½ stars
Beauty and the Beast
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Hattie Morahan, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Nathan Mack, Audra McDonald, Stanley Tucci
Running Time: 129 minutes
Release Date: In Cinemas Now
