Jeri Jacquin
This Friday in theatres from director Bill Condon and Disney
is the return of a tale as old as time with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
Belle (Emma Watson) is a young girl living in a small
village where everyone knows everyone. So much so that Belle is known as an
unusual girl who would read than find a husband. Living with her father Maurice
(Kevin Kline), he is also seen as unusual.
Also in the town is Gaston (Luke Evans), a tad self centered
man who sees Belle as his prize and wants to marry her. Along with side kick
LeFou (Josh Gad), it is a constant struggle to understand why she is not
falling at his feet!
During a trip to the neighboring town, Maurice unexpectedly
loses his way and ends up in a tattered castle. He quickly discovers that the
inhabitants are a little more magical and terrifying. A Beast (Dan Stevens)
roars down and puts Maurice in a tower cell.
When their horse returns to Belle, she immediately knows her
father is in trouble and rides off to find him. Finding her father in a cell
and meeting the Beast, Belle offers a trade to stay in exchange for releasing
her father.
Maurice returns to the town and tries to convince everyone
that Belle is being held prisoner by a Beast. In the meantime Belle is getting
to know her surroundings and the magic that holds the castle captive. Taking
care of her is the candlestick Lumiere (Ewan McGregor), the elegant clock
Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), the motherly teapot Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson) and
her teacup son Chip (Nathan Mack), the chiffarobe Madame Garderobe (Audra
McDonald) and the ivory keys of Maestro Cadenza (Stanley Tucci).
Getting to know the Beast, Belle begins to see a different
side of the creature. This thrills the residence of the castle since there is a
curse with a glass encased rose and when the last petal falls they all will
become unchangeable forever.
The Beast begins to feel so much more than he could have
imagined and when Belle needs to be with her father, his heart gives in. But
that isn’t all changing as Gaston convinces the town that the Beast must be
destroyed. The two sides collide but one thing is certain, nothing will ever be
the same.
It begins with heart!
Watson is charming as Belle and she certainly has made her
way out of another iconic character. She twirls and sings her way though and
looks to be enjoying her performance.
Stevens voicing the Beast is gruff and unmoving at first
but, of course, finds his heart and is changed.
Evans as Gaston is very funny and manages to capture the
arrogance and narcissism of the marriage minded self-absorbed hunter. Gad as
LeFou is clever and also funny. Kline as
Maurice gets a chance to portray Belle’s father in a less absent minded way but
still well done.
McGregor as Lumiere is charming, but then again he is supposed
to be. McKellen as Cogsworth has that voice that clearly defines who he is.
Thompson as Mrs. Potts is sweet and caring along with the adorable Mack as
Chip. McDonald as Madame Garderobe needs lessons in fashion and Tucci as
Cadenza plays the ivories beautifully.
The original in 1991 with Robbie Benson voicing
Beast and Paige O’Hara voicing Belle continues to be a brilliant and colorful
animated film that will be first in my heart. I am not a fan of changing my
opinion on that anytime soon.
I prefer the 1991 animated version and it’s because of the
memories the animated film brings back. I have seen my children and now
grandchildren embrace it lovingly and iconically still watch it on Bluray to
this day. There is a liveliness, silliness and fun in animated films that can
not be captured in live-action.
The film is obviously beautiful and live-action fans will
have a good time singing along to song they already know and one or two new
ditties. The costuming is stunning (except for the ending scene where everyone
changes and the makeup is pretty disturbing) and the cgi is clever. The cast is
fun and that is all that will matter to those sitting in the theatre seats.
In the end – be our guest!
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