Beauty and the Beast Review

"Think of the one thing that you've always wanted. Now find it in your mind's eye and feel it in your heart."


Beauty and the Beast is the latest remake or as it should be called live action remake of the classic animated film Beauty and the Best which was released back in 1991. The new live action remake was directed by Bill Condon and has a star studded cast including Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, and Audra McDonald (just to name a few!!). The film follows the classics films narrative and is an adaption of the classic fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love.

Disney films hold a special place for me, as a child growing up with Disney films I couldn't get enough of them and absolutely loved the original classic version of the film with the breathtaking animation and the catchy songs (you know the ones!) so when I heard they were going to remake the classic I was a little uncertain if it could live up to the original film ...... well I can happily say that it certainly does. What is so successful about this film is that it is true to its source material (the classic Disney fairy tale) but also moves the story on an extra step and expands upon some narrative beats that the first film did not cover which I did not expect at all. I can honestly say that whilst watching this film I was blown away, I was swept up in the story, the songs and the beautiful CGI (which honestly is stunning especially in the ballroom scene) and the magic that Disney films always seem to bring with them. I also thought the cast was extremely good Emma Watson and Dan Stevens both gave good performances but for me the two stand out characters where Ewan McGregor as Lumiere and Ian Mckellen as Cogsworth, both actors gave great performances, the characters CGI appearance looked incredible and I can see kids really falling in love with the two characters. The cinematography is also stunning in this film, every shot looks like it could be a painting and the framing and elegance of the camera movement really enhanced the elegant feel of the film (you need to check out that ballroom scene and oh a certain 'Be Our Guest' number)

This is a very hard film to criticise in my eyes, I was honestly swept up in the story and the characters of the film that I really could not find any major faults with the film (that is just my opinion) if I had to be extremely picky (and I mean I really am), I would say that some scenes felt a little rushed, maybe it's just the way the sequences were edited together but I did notice it and for those very slight seconds it did throw me out of the film just briefly, there not often throughout the film but when they do happen you do realise. I would also say that sometimes the CGI on the Beasts face could of been a little bit better, the overall CGI in the film was incredible but at times the little movements seemed a little odd or jerky, it does not necessarily detract from Dan Stevens performance as a whole (maybe he even added them in to his performance) so that could of been a little bit smoother at times, but honestly those are just little moments rather than major moments that keep recurring during the film.

Overall if you're a Disney fan you are going to love this film, if you're a classic Beauty and the Beast fan then you will defiantly love this film especially with the added narrative beats that the classic film never told. I can honestly say that this film will be a classic Disney film for the generation of kids that are starting watching Disney films, just like the original film became a classic for our generation. If you can get to see this film then I would highly recommend it, and be prepared to have those famous songs stuck in your head after leaving the cinema.

Verdict: 5 out 5 stars