*SOME minor SPOILERS*
As always, I had several expectations before watching. My standard for Emma Watson as Belle was very high. I've always thought Emma would make the perfect Belle in a live action remake, even before one was announced. I'm always wary of CGI. When I was kid, CGI was still very experiemental and it could look awful. But since then, technology and artistry has improved. I really should stop being wary of CGI. Disney has not let me down in with movies like Zootopia, Moana and The Jungle Book live action remake.
I saw Beauty and the Beast in theaters the Friday it was released. I had wanted to get tickets for the 7 pm showing, but they were all sold out! Instead I booked tickets for the 10 pm showing. It's a good thing I reserved tickets because the theater was packed!
Before I launch into the review, it is important to note that I am not here to compare 1991 version to 2017 version. Both are amazing movies in their own right and which one is "better" is a personal preference. This review is focusing mostly on the live action version.
However, I do want to make one mention of the 1991 film. Probably the biggest difference between the animated and live action movie is that the live action went into a lot more detail. There have been YouTube videos and BuzzFeed articles about the details of Disney movies. These details really are insignificant to the plot, and most of the time people who write these article and make these videos are reaching. But for some reason, people still make a big deal about them. For example, something that came into question among the internet was the Beast's royal status. Wouldn't have the people in Belle's town notice if their prince somehow went missing? Who rules over them now? What kind of government system do they have, exactly? This is actually answered in the live action movie! So how did Belle lift the Beast onto the horse? It's shown in the movie. How did Belle's mother die? Answered. Chip's father? Yep. The live action movie expands on the original, filling in gaps and adding details to the characters.
When Maurice is about to leave town, he asks Belle if there is anything special he can bring back to her. She asks for a single rose. I loved this scene because it is a nod to the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumon. It also give Maurice more motivation to wander into the palace grounds.
The character that surprised me the most was Gaston. At first, he didn't appear to be very villain-like. Sure, he was a little self-absorbed, but he wasn't really mean to anyone. Belle did seem rude when she interacted with Gaston. I kind of sympathized with Gaston at first. He didn't necessarily do anything to show that he was a bad person, and Belle wasn't even giving him a chance. But about halfway through the movie, he did something very cruel, and his true colors showed. He was even meaner than in the 1991 version. Looking back, the writers probably did this so that you can see why the other villagers liked him so much at first. Belle did look crazy for turning Gaston down. And his true villain reveal was much more dramatic.
I liked the enchantress/hag appearing throughout the movie. It seemed almost as if she knew Belle was going to be the one to break the spell. Her appearance also reinforced the theme that good things can happen to those who are kind.
I LOVED Belle's ballgown. It looks plain in pictures, but when Emma is dancing and running in it, the layers of the dress create a beautiful movement. In fact, all of the costumes were beautiful. I loved how the movie put so much detail into the costuming and setting. It really does feel as if it's the mid 1700's.
Adults or older kids will probably enjoy this movie more so than younger ones as it is longer, more dramatic, and at some points, pretty dark.
Overall, this movie is amazing. It's aesthetically pleasing, the actors are great, the music is beautiful. As soon as I got home from the theater I wanted to go back and watch it again. So far, it is my favorite live action remake. 10/10 recommend.
As always, I had several expectations before watching. My standard for Emma Watson as Belle was very high. I've always thought Emma would make the perfect Belle in a live action remake, even before one was announced. I'm always wary of CGI. When I was kid, CGI was still very experiemental and it could look awful. But since then, technology and artistry has improved. I really should stop being wary of CGI. Disney has not let me down in with movies like Zootopia, Moana and The Jungle Book live action remake.
I saw Beauty and the Beast in theaters the Friday it was released. I had wanted to get tickets for the 7 pm showing, but they were all sold out! Instead I booked tickets for the 10 pm showing. It's a good thing I reserved tickets because the theater was packed!
Before I launch into the review, it is important to note that I am not here to compare 1991 version to 2017 version. Both are amazing movies in their own right and which one is "better" is a personal preference. This review is focusing mostly on the live action version.
However, I do want to make one mention of the 1991 film. Probably the biggest difference between the animated and live action movie is that the live action went into a lot more detail. There have been YouTube videos and BuzzFeed articles about the details of Disney movies. These details really are insignificant to the plot, and most of the time people who write these article and make these videos are reaching. But for some reason, people still make a big deal about them. For example, something that came into question among the internet was the Beast's royal status. Wouldn't have the people in Belle's town notice if their prince somehow went missing? Who rules over them now? What kind of government system do they have, exactly? This is actually answered in the live action movie! So how did Belle lift the Beast onto the horse? It's shown in the movie. How did Belle's mother die? Answered. Chip's father? Yep. The live action movie expands on the original, filling in gaps and adding details to the characters.
When Maurice is about to leave town, he asks Belle if there is anything special he can bring back to her. She asks for a single rose. I loved this scene because it is a nod to the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumon. It also give Maurice more motivation to wander into the palace grounds.
The character that surprised me the most was Gaston. At first, he didn't appear to be very villain-like. Sure, he was a little self-absorbed, but he wasn't really mean to anyone. Belle did seem rude when she interacted with Gaston. I kind of sympathized with Gaston at first. He didn't necessarily do anything to show that he was a bad person, and Belle wasn't even giving him a chance. But about halfway through the movie, he did something very cruel, and his true colors showed. He was even meaner than in the 1991 version. Looking back, the writers probably did this so that you can see why the other villagers liked him so much at first. Belle did look crazy for turning Gaston down. And his true villain reveal was much more dramatic.
I liked the enchantress/hag appearing throughout the movie. It seemed almost as if she knew Belle was going to be the one to break the spell. Her appearance also reinforced the theme that good things can happen to those who are kind.
I LOVED Belle's ballgown. It looks plain in pictures, but when Emma is dancing and running in it, the layers of the dress create a beautiful movement. In fact, all of the costumes were beautiful. I loved how the movie put so much detail into the costuming and setting. It really does feel as if it's the mid 1700's.
Adults or older kids will probably enjoy this movie more so than younger ones as it is longer, more dramatic, and at some points, pretty dark.
Overall, this movie is amazing. It's aesthetically pleasing, the actors are great, the music is beautiful. As soon as I got home from the theater I wanted to go back and watch it again. So far, it is my favorite live action remake. 10/10 recommend.
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