Far more than I expected

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2018)

A live-action/CGI remake of the 1991 animated musical: Belle (Emma Watson) is an intelligent outcast in her provincial town, pursued by the egomaniacal Gaston (Luke Evans). Across the dangerous woods is a beast (Dan Stevens) who lives in a castle in which he used to be a prince.
Speaking of outcasts, I feel like one myself in my assessments of this modern film and its predecessor. I believe the current film is superior to the earlier one. I found the animated version admirable but over-rated. This goes against the consensus on two counts.
One of the improvements in the current version is in the characterization of LeFou (Josh Gad), Gaston's sidekick. Much is made of the fact that the modern LeFou is gay and infatuated with Gaston. While this bold move is admirable enough, the better move is erasing the plight of the older version of LeFou who was sadistically used as a punching bag for the bullying (and much bigger) Gaston. The previous use of schadenfreude doesn't quite appeal to an audience's better instincts.
Director Bill Condon clearly knows how to make musicals great. (The superb "Dreamgirls" (2006) is evidence of this.) Even while being fully aware of the storyline, there is still an excitement and energy for the viewer in this film. Condon has been blessed with a great team particularly those involved with the set design, make-up, visual effects, cinematography, and costumes. In addition, a few new songs have been added to the great ones of the original.
Condon is also blessed with a great cast. Stevens does a fine job conveying the beast's rage as well as the inner-torment hiding behind it. Watson is good too though she could have shown more expression during the film's climax. Even in a small role, Emma Thompson still manages to raise the bar - this time as a talking teapot.
The exciting finale is so joyous, it can lift anyone to the clouds. No wonder this movie is such a box-office blockbuster.