Beauty and the Beast Lacks the Beauty

Rating: 6/10 (16 March 2017)

I just want to say that if people like Emma Waston, that's fine but if you're a huge fan of hers, I suggest you don't read this review.
Now I love the original animated Beauty and the Beast so I knew this movie wouldn't live up to the original. With that being said, this new movie does have some merits. The CGI in this movie is rather good and the scenery is beautiful. I also love what they did with the castle. In a way, the castle feels alive too and I thought that was a great twist. The costumes are also really gorgeous.
As for acting, everyone delivers a great performance save for one actress who I'll get to in a minute. Luke Evans was stellar as Gaston. You can tell he was enjoying himself and was amazing. Josh Gad of course was funny as always. Ewan McGregor did a rather good job as Lumiere and Ian McKellan was a pretty decent Cogsworth. You also have Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Audra McDonald and Emma Thompson also giving it their all. Now as for the Beast, he was decent. I haven't seen Dan Stevens in anything but this and I thought he did an okay job. He could have been better but I thought he was fine.
But the worst part of this movie is Emma Watson.
Again, if you like Emma that is fine but she was not the right choice of Belle. Not only do they not even try to make her look like Belle but she doesn't feel like Belle. She tries to deliver classic Belle lines but it sounds like she doesn't trust the lines. She feels so awkward and stiff. Every line feels beyond forced and nothing about it feels organic. And the biggest issue is her singing voice. I know Emma isn't a trained singer but even so, that doesn't really change the fact that she cannot hold a tune. She's boring, bland and just all around dull.
If you are dying to see this movie, I say go for it but I really think you're better waiting for the DVD.