A movie with a special place in most of our hearts... Meaning that pleasing the audience with this new version of it is going to be particularly difficult. I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I heard that Disney was planning to make a live action Beauty and the Beast... and I grew even more excited when I found out Emma Watson had been cast as Belle. I mean seriously, she's absolutely perfect for the role.
I've seriously been waiting for this movie for a long time now, and went to see it almost as soon as it was released. And I have to say, overall I'm very happy with it and impressed. Coming from me that's a pretty high compliment, seeing as my pessimistic self usually tends to just find the smallest flaws in EVERYTHING. Seriously, my Cappies team calls it Anjing if they give a show a really low rating.
I loved quite a few things about this movie, starting with the casting. Going in, I was feeling a bit hesitant because I didn't know several of the big actors-- mainly the Beast (Dan Stevens), but I was pleasantly surprised by finding that the movie was almost perfectly cast. I know it's bad to use words like "perfect" and "great" in reviews, but these casting choices truly deserve it. All the actors fit their roles and played them almost too convincingly. Dan Stevens is beautiful as the Prince, which fits since Adam is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. And his eyes? I could stare into those blue pools all day long. I have to give him a lot of credit for spending most of the movie acting in a 50 pound suit and on stilts.
A duo that almost stole the show were Gaston (Luke Evans) and LeFou (Josh Gad). They fit their roles amazingly, and were absolutely hilarious, delivering their humorous lines with perfect comedic timing.
Another thing I loved about the movie was the music. Those who know me may very well know that I have a soft spot for musicals, and also that I love Disney music and know it very well. I really enjoyed listening to the new takes on the classic songs as well as the completely new songs. In fact, I've been listening to the music non stop for the last two days (thanks, Apple Music). I may or may not be listening to it right now. Days in the Sun and Evermore are two of my favorite new songs, but they're all fantastic.
And the third big thing that I loved, was just that the movie had more time to do everything. The Beast and Belle don't immediately fall in love-- this movie gives them a little more time to get to know and slowly fall for each other, unlike the animation. And it also gives both the Prince and Belle a backstory, so we get to understand these characters on a deeper level and connect with them. Not only that, but it gives these two characters a better connection and more of a reason to fall for each other as well. All in all, I love what they chose to do with all the characters, not just Belle and the Prince.
Now for a few criticisms. The two things that poked out the most was one, the CGI. It was not the best I've ever seen. Especially seeing as in this day and age we have some really good and convincing CGI, I was expecting a little bit more from this movie. And the second thing is pretty small, but Emma Watson's voice sounded kind of autotuned to me. I'm sure it was autotuned, but I just don't like how much I was able to detect it. Still, I've been listening to the music none stop so that's proof that the sound doesn't bother me that much.
All in all, Beauty and the Beast is a fantastic movie. It doesn't bring shame to one of my beloved childhood movies, instead it delves deeper into the characters-- who they truly are and why they are that way, while adding humor, fun and action into the mix. I highly recommend the film, especially to all those who have loved Beauty and the Beast the animated film since childhood. 8/10 stars, it was a truly fun experience to watch, and I hope to be able to go back and see the movie again soon.
I've seriously been waiting for this movie for a long time now, and went to see it almost as soon as it was released. And I have to say, overall I'm very happy with it and impressed. Coming from me that's a pretty high compliment, seeing as my pessimistic self usually tends to just find the smallest flaws in EVERYTHING. Seriously, my Cappies team calls it Anjing if they give a show a really low rating.
I loved quite a few things about this movie, starting with the casting. Going in, I was feeling a bit hesitant because I didn't know several of the big actors-- mainly the Beast (Dan Stevens), but I was pleasantly surprised by finding that the movie was almost perfectly cast. I know it's bad to use words like "perfect" and "great" in reviews, but these casting choices truly deserve it. All the actors fit their roles and played them almost too convincingly. Dan Stevens is beautiful as the Prince, which fits since Adam is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. And his eyes? I could stare into those blue pools all day long. I have to give him a lot of credit for spending most of the movie acting in a 50 pound suit and on stilts.
A duo that almost stole the show were Gaston (Luke Evans) and LeFou (Josh Gad). They fit their roles amazingly, and were absolutely hilarious, delivering their humorous lines with perfect comedic timing.
Another thing I loved about the movie was the music. Those who know me may very well know that I have a soft spot for musicals, and also that I love Disney music and know it very well. I really enjoyed listening to the new takes on the classic songs as well as the completely new songs. In fact, I've been listening to the music non stop for the last two days (thanks, Apple Music). I may or may not be listening to it right now. Days in the Sun and Evermore are two of my favorite new songs, but they're all fantastic.
And the third big thing that I loved, was just that the movie had more time to do everything. The Beast and Belle don't immediately fall in love-- this movie gives them a little more time to get to know and slowly fall for each other, unlike the animation. And it also gives both the Prince and Belle a backstory, so we get to understand these characters on a deeper level and connect with them. Not only that, but it gives these two characters a better connection and more of a reason to fall for each other as well. All in all, I love what they chose to do with all the characters, not just Belle and the Prince.
Now for a few criticisms. The two things that poked out the most was one, the CGI. It was not the best I've ever seen. Especially seeing as in this day and age we have some really good and convincing CGI, I was expecting a little bit more from this movie. And the second thing is pretty small, but Emma Watson's voice sounded kind of autotuned to me. I'm sure it was autotuned, but I just don't like how much I was able to detect it. Still, I've been listening to the music none stop so that's proof that the sound doesn't bother me that much.
All in all, Beauty and the Beast is a fantastic movie. It doesn't bring shame to one of my beloved childhood movies, instead it delves deeper into the characters-- who they truly are and why they are that way, while adding humor, fun and action into the mix. I highly recommend the film, especially to all those who have loved Beauty and the Beast the animated film since childhood. 8/10 stars, it was a truly fun experience to watch, and I hope to be able to go back and see the movie again soon.
RSS Feed
