Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
~ Mrs. Potts
Movie summary: a British-sounding French peasant escapes her provincial life by falling in love with her aristocratic kidnapper.
Beauty and the Beast is a bit more complicated than that summary, but despite it being a little misleading, it’s not entirely inaccurate. It’s probably not best to think about it too much, though; otherwise, you might start to wonder what would have happened if Belle had accidentally smashed a singing plate during “Be Our Guest” and what those broken pieces would turn into once the curse is reversed… anyway, best not to let your imagination run away from you. Really, the most awkward part about Belle and her “Prince Charming” is how many details they’re going to have to leave out about how they first met when they explain it to their kids: “Well, honey, it’s a funny story. Your father locked your grandfather Maurice in a dungeon for stealing a rose, and then he blackmailed me into being his prisoner in exchange for my father’s freedom. (I think they should name one of their kids Adele, because Adam + Belle = Adele)
I promise that this review isn’t going to be a roast of Beauty and the Beast, but I do think it’s fair to have a little fun at the expense of such a strange plotline. Much like the music, most of the plot and dialogue are transposed from the 1991 animated version to live-action. For everyone who fell in love with the “tale as old as time,” they can find comfort in familiarity. But it’d be a mistake to expect Disney to deviate from the formula that made Beauty and the Beast the first animated feature nominated for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards.
Ironically, it's the moments where the movie branches off into original content that are less polished. Beauty and the Beast loves incomplete backstories more than Gaston loves antler-based interior decorating. The beginning of the movie takes great pains to prove Belle’s cleverness and prowess at inventions but abandons any sign that she’s ever picked up a sprocket twenty minutes into the story. The film spends thirty seconds to reveal that Beast lost his mother when he was young and his father was apparently “cruel,” but that backstory is never hinted upon before or after that scene.
That being said, all the characters receive upgrades over their animated counterparts (the exceptions being Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, because their voices didn’t match the characters.) Emma Watson was a perfect casting (despite the British accent) and plays Belle with a fearless attitude. Kevin Kline as Maurice is no longer a doddering fool but a wise, caring father. Josh Gad endears himself to the audience as LeFou without being a dunce. Even Luke Evans’ portrayal of Gaston isn’t the embodiment of evil as much as it is reckless arrogance.
Knowing that the film wasn’t going to take much risk with the story, Disney focused on creating a dazzling production design. The opening number, “Belle,” (the scene was released before the film as part of promotional material) is beautifully choreographed and highlights the stunning countryside landscape. However, the crowning achievement of Beauty and the Beast is Beast’s castle. The architecture is magnificent to behold, and the interior ornamentation was extravagant in only the French Rococo style can be.
Beauty and the Beast isn’t an original movie, but neither the producers nor the audience was expecting as much. Instead, the lackluster screenplay for this updated adaptation is made up for with an impressive visual display.
Rating: B | 3 stars
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