Love the story but Miss Emma Watson is a miscast

Rating: 4/10 (30 April 2017)

I always loved this story whether in a book, movie, play or made for TV movie. The scene stealer was Josh Cad as Lefou and I've never seen a better Gaston (played by Luke Evans). These two were the best comedy pair I've seen in a long time. I was surprised when I did not recognize who was playing Beauty's father for several scenes since I purposefully did not want to know the cast until I watched the movie. Great actors can do that and Kevin Kline never ceases to amaze me. I give only 4 stars because the title is "The Beauty and The Beast". Miss Emma Watson is pretty but I can think of dozens of others actresses that would better fit the bill as the "Beauty". I was hoping that when she got all dressed up she would transform into the Beauty my eyes were somehow missing but she only looked like an imposter. I love her but she was so miscast here that I assumed she was chosen for her amazing vocals only to be surprised, disappointed and even embarrassed for her. Embarrassed because she should have turned it down. It's obviously her popularity that got her the part. If I had never seen her in the Harry Potter films I would have even thought her to be a subpar actress. I don't think I'll ever get over it. Such ego. As for Dan Stevens as the Beast he was acceptable and I'm sure would have done better with a better casting of the "Beauty". Not very much chemistry there. If not for the miscasted "Beauty" I would have given it 8 stars. If the Beast were also better cast it could have been an easy 10 stars.