Beauty & the Beast (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
1991's Beauty & the Beast is an animated Disney classic that was so beautifully done, that it could have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards; that it was even nominated in a field of 5 shows just how beloved it was. Now, in the wake of such recent animated-to-live action hits like Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent & Cinderella {so good}, we have this much-anticipated Bill Condon version of 'B&tB'. Now the big question: is it any good? My answer: you bet, it is! 'B&tB' opens with a nifty little prologue: at his own ball, snooty, party-loving Prince Adam (Dan Stevens, Matthew from Downton Abbey) refuses to help an old crone (Hattie Morahan) seeking shelter, so she transforms into an enchantress & bestows a tragic curse. It turns him into a large, ugly beast and his castle's attendants into household objects until he can find someone to love him despite his off-putting looks.
Yrs. later (1770 or so), Belle (Emma Watson, Hermione of the Harry Potter series), a headstrong, book-loving girl from the French village near the castle, dreams of something more than her daily routine. Vain, boastful war hero Gaston (Luke Evans) has eyes for Belle, but she's not into him, AT ALL. After Belle's beloved inventor father, Maurice (Kevin Kline), gets imprisoned in the enchanted castle, she ventures there & offers herself up as prisoner in exchange for his freedom. Meanwhile, the Beast's castle staff -- led by candelabra Lumiere (Ewan McGregor), his feather-duster girlfriend, Plumette (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), clock Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), teakettle Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), her teacup son Chip, wardrobe Mme. Garderobe (Broadway’s Audra McDonald), & her harpsichord husband, Maestro Cadenza (Stanley Tucci) -- conspire to help Belle see the Beast ... as something more. If so, the spell could be broken … but not if Gaston & his adoring sidekick LeFou (Frozen’s Josh Gad) can help it. Disney magic ensues.
Boy, did I love this movie. Sure, it's not as iconic & over-the-moon superb as the ‘91 classic. Most new subplots work, some don’t. But overall, I was thoroughly enchanted. Sarah Greenwood's production design is spectacular. The labyrinthine castle, its ornate interiors, the various landscapes, the provincial village, every trinket, every prop ... designed to 18th century whimsical perfection. Jacqueline Durran's stunning costumes will likely contend for awards by the end of the year; gorgeous outfits. The hair/make-up work, sound design & music - led by Alan Menken, including a few new original songs to add to his existing score - are all also excellent; underscoring the sadness that both Belle & the Beast feel about their past, present & future.
Emma Watson's Belle is sympathetic, relatable, clever & feisty {sound like Hermione Granger much?}. In all seriousness, she looks the part, is adorable, & her singing voice - while no Paige O'Hara from the '91 version - is perfectly pleasant; conveying Belle's sense of longing that is contained in those Alan Menken songs. Speaking of those songs -- aren't they great? "Belle" opens the proceedings in fine fashion; such verve. The Busby Berkeley-like "Be Our Guest" is dazzling; I forget how well Ewan McGregor can hold a tune {thanks, Moulin Rouge}. And Emma Thompson warbles similarly to Angela Lansbury in the title song. When a gold-gowned Belle meets eyes with the suited-Beast on the staircase, tears welled-up in my eyes.
Walking on stilts in a prosthetic suit, Dan Stevens does a swell job personifying the gruff, angry, yet empathetic Beast. His frustrations, but also his sensitivity is on full-display; even through a motion-captured facial performance. And it's great that we get to see the real him at both the beginning & end. Kevin Kline is funny & loveable as Belle's father, Maurice. Ewan McGregor & Ian McKellen are hilarious as odd-couple Lumiere & Cogsworth. Emma Thompson is comforting as Mrs. Potts. Luke Evans is great as narcissistic, boorish, full-of-himself Gaston; boy, what a singing voice, too. And Josh Gad is enjoyable as the smitten sidekick, LeFou. Much has been made of LeFou being a gay character, but it's a subtle nuance; much ado about nothing, I think. 'Beauty & the Beast' is a wonderful & memorable musical remake; brimming with heart, poignancy, elegance & joyous nostalgia.
Yrs. later (1770 or so), Belle (Emma Watson, Hermione of the Harry Potter series), a headstrong, book-loving girl from the French village near the castle, dreams of something more than her daily routine. Vain, boastful war hero Gaston (Luke Evans) has eyes for Belle, but she's not into him, AT ALL. After Belle's beloved inventor father, Maurice (Kevin Kline), gets imprisoned in the enchanted castle, she ventures there & offers herself up as prisoner in exchange for his freedom. Meanwhile, the Beast's castle staff -- led by candelabra Lumiere (Ewan McGregor), his feather-duster girlfriend, Plumette (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), clock Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), teakettle Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), her teacup son Chip, wardrobe Mme. Garderobe (Broadway’s Audra McDonald), & her harpsichord husband, Maestro Cadenza (Stanley Tucci) -- conspire to help Belle see the Beast ... as something more. If so, the spell could be broken … but not if Gaston & his adoring sidekick LeFou (Frozen’s Josh Gad) can help it. Disney magic ensues.
Boy, did I love this movie. Sure, it's not as iconic & over-the-moon superb as the ‘91 classic. Most new subplots work, some don’t. But overall, I was thoroughly enchanted. Sarah Greenwood's production design is spectacular. The labyrinthine castle, its ornate interiors, the various landscapes, the provincial village, every trinket, every prop ... designed to 18th century whimsical perfection. Jacqueline Durran's stunning costumes will likely contend for awards by the end of the year; gorgeous outfits. The hair/make-up work, sound design & music - led by Alan Menken, including a few new original songs to add to his existing score - are all also excellent; underscoring the sadness that both Belle & the Beast feel about their past, present & future.
Emma Watson's Belle is sympathetic, relatable, clever & feisty {sound like Hermione Granger much?}. In all seriousness, she looks the part, is adorable, & her singing voice - while no Paige O'Hara from the '91 version - is perfectly pleasant; conveying Belle's sense of longing that is contained in those Alan Menken songs. Speaking of those songs -- aren't they great? "Belle" opens the proceedings in fine fashion; such verve. The Busby Berkeley-like "Be Our Guest" is dazzling; I forget how well Ewan McGregor can hold a tune {thanks, Moulin Rouge}. And Emma Thompson warbles similarly to Angela Lansbury in the title song. When a gold-gowned Belle meets eyes with the suited-Beast on the staircase, tears welled-up in my eyes.
Walking on stilts in a prosthetic suit, Dan Stevens does a swell job personifying the gruff, angry, yet empathetic Beast. His frustrations, but also his sensitivity is on full-display; even through a motion-captured facial performance. And it's great that we get to see the real him at both the beginning & end. Kevin Kline is funny & loveable as Belle's father, Maurice. Ewan McGregor & Ian McKellen are hilarious as odd-couple Lumiere & Cogsworth. Emma Thompson is comforting as Mrs. Potts. Luke Evans is great as narcissistic, boorish, full-of-himself Gaston; boy, what a singing voice, too. And Josh Gad is enjoyable as the smitten sidekick, LeFou. Much has been made of LeFou being a gay character, but it's a subtle nuance; much ado about nothing, I think. 'Beauty & the Beast' is a wonderful & memorable musical remake; brimming with heart, poignancy, elegance & joyous nostalgia.