“My dear Belle, you’re so ahead of your time. This is a small village, and it’s small-minded, as well. But small also means safe.”
– Maurice
SYNOPSIS: An adaptation of the fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love. – via IMDB
So I went to see this with Natasha when I did my fly by visit this past weekend. She has been waiting for this movie for the longest time, so I figured I may as well go with her, otherwise I will never get to it, despite it touting both Luke Evans and Dan Stevens in the cast (I am speaking from a totally scientific point of view here). Anyway, we tripped out for this in 3D (which I probably could have done without), and I had more fun than expected. I have not seen this since I was a child, so it definitely brought on a sense of nostalgia. There were some changes and additions, but it wasn’t bad.
First and foremost, I think that Luke Evans is the perfect pick to play Gaston. Seriously, he has immense amounts of fun with the role, and you can see it. My favourite part of the movie? Gaston’s song and dance in the pub. Oh my gosh, I laughed, it was so ridiculous and fantastic. He also perfectly captured how a person can be so hot and then open their mouth and ultimately that nasty ass ego and all will ruin the outside, too. Dan Stevens is a pretty damn good Beast, though it is such a pity you don’t get to see all his purdy throughout the film. However, he worked well and delivered quite a good Beast, and I appreciated that. Ian McKellan and Ewan McGregor had a blast as Cogsworth and Lumière , and I enjoyed them. I think, for the most part, the cast was very good. Except maybe Emma Watson. I really don’t like the girl and I don’t think she can act, so she grated on me a bit, but less than expected.
I had quite the issue with the rendition of Beauty and the Best Tale as Old as Time. Seriously – the song is iconic, everybody knows it, and yet it is such a cold, lacklustre, horrendous rendition in the movie. So bad I actually cringed. Sorry Emma Thompson, but that sucked completely. Meh. Also, some of the animation was substandard – so much of it was pretty good, meaning the few times (Mrs Potts and her son Chip especially) when you see the bits that weren’t so great, it is glaringly bad.
I understand that there was some controversy surrounding a gay character, which I just don’t get. I didn’t find it jarring in the very least. In fact, said character provided quite a bit of entertainment. Oh yes, while we are at it, let’s not forget to mention how this movie went out of its way in terms of inclusion – race, gender, sexuality, everything was pretty much covered here. At times came across as a bit forced. I don’t actually have too much else to say. There are issues, but it is also quite fun, so I think it might just be time to wrap up.
Beauty and the Beast is cheesy, amusing, nostalgic, and a touch messy at times, but it is carried by pretty good performances and is rather fun. Not something I can see myself watching again in a hurry, but I am pleased to say that it went better than expected, and is probably the best live action Disney rendition of an old classic I have yet seen (yeah, because I totally watch so many of them).
Luke Evans for life! Loved your review, Zoë.
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❤ He was so good! Thank you ever so kindly lady!
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Me and my daughter have been meaning to see this movie for ages. Maybe this weekend! Agree with you on Emma Watson though – such an average actor.
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I hope you two have fun with this when you do get to it. She really is just average.
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Great review, Zoë! I’m not a big fan of Disney movies, but I’ll watch it soon since Luke Evans is in it – for science of course. 😉
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Agreed on the Disney front – not my cup of tea. But Evans is well worth the watch. For science. 😁
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This movie absolutely sold me on Luke Evans! I could really do without another actor obsession right now but it’s definitely coming!
I never knew Dan Stevens before this, and ended up watching Legion which he’s the main character in. Dude can act!
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Evans is really awesome, and plenty fun usually. As for Stevens? HUGE fan – from Downton Abbey to The Guest, the guy is always worth checking out.
I’ve actually been looking forward to getting to Legion. Because X-Men.
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Nice review! This was one of my favorites of the year so far, but it has issues. Paige O’Hara is my favorite Belle, but Emma improved me for in a second watch. I like her off-screen but she’s a little bit wooden as an actress. Overall, it was a fantastically fun movie. I loved a lot of parts of it. Luke Evans = perfection. 😀
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Thanks Katy! It was a lot of fun, I will definitely give it that. Watson is a bit stiff. Glad she improved upon rewatch for you. Evans was such a scene stealer.
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That Gaston song was stuck in my head for DAYS. I loved this film, it was quite what I wanted it to be. My biggest complaint naturally is how little I saw Dan Stevens’ face actually. #forScience. Was so nice seeing it with you!
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Was so much fun to trip out and see this with you! For reals, WAY too little Dan Stevens going on there for me. #JustSaying
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Interesting to get your take on this. What do you mean by the inclusions felt forced?
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I also can’t see myself watching it again that soon, but eventually I would. Good review!
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Thanks!
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