Movie Review: Beauty and The Beast

So I meant to write this review much sooner than I have, mainly because I had so many feelings and emotions after the movie. But sometimes giving myself time to ruminate over those reactions can help me decide if they were just knee jerk reactions or if they are constructive to my review. To start off full disclosure, Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney Princess movie of all time so I feel slightly more critical.

Looks wise I think Emma Watson fits the bill perfectly, I just can’t say I was overly impressed with Emma Watsons acting. It just felt a bit off and quite stiff. In part this could be to do with the fact that a lot of the time she would be acting opposite a CGI character and that would be unimaginable awkward in more serious, emotional scenes.

 I think it was made even more evident in the end scenes where the beast is dying, I just couldn’t feel it. I didn’t expect to be moved to tears or anything but her acting felt insincere particularly in this scene and the animated movie just seemed to capture the pain and heartbreak much better.

The new songs and fill in of the back story we missed in the Disney original was great. I loved the little bits about the beasts past and explanation of how the village had completely forgotten about the castle and its inhabitants. I particularly adored the Beasts song ‘Evermore’ it had a Phantom of the Opera-esque feel to it, ‘Days in the Sun’ and ‘How Does a Moment Last Forever’ were a delight as well. Of course all the old favourites were present and delivered by some great talent like Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald (I didn’t even know she could sing!)

The Beast himself, while obviously being CGI had some great voice acting done by Dan Stevens and as I mentioned his solo song was impressive. Gaston and LeFou were very good and the actors well chosen for their respective roles Gaston was the epitome of arrogant and manly just as I remember him from the original movie. The little nod at the end toward LeFou and his romantic preferences was endearing and surprisingly brave in a Disney movie.  

Overall, I was impressed with the movie but I wasn’t in love with it. The original will always hold a place in my heart that will be hard to replace, and there’s just something about animated Belle and Beasts romance that is so much more believable to me. Not to mention I’ve loved animated Beast since before I can remember, and I still prefer him to the CGI beast (although Dan Stevens voice is delicious and does give animated Beast a run for his money).

Lastly, it may have something to do with the fact that I prefer my men ruff and rugged with beards, but I’ve always liked the beast more before he got transformed into his princely self (too clean shaven and boyish for me) and this especially holds true in the animated version. Is that weird? Am I the only one who finds him less attractive as a Prince? I need to know I’m not alone in this haha.

What Did you guys think of the new Beauty and the Beast remake?

Image Credits: 

Belle gif- Giphy.com

Beast-https://www.buzzfeed.com/rosapasquarella/manbeast-vs-beastbeast?utm_term=.kwydPmYyE#.bwy5VGNbn