Disney can still work the magic even out of the animation studio, and 26 years later after a treasured classic.

Rating: 7/10 (18 March 2017)

Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Fifth Estate, and Mr Holmes) re-invents the wonderfully powerful fantasy tale of Beauty and the Beast, continuing Disney's mission to make live action versions of their classic films. Re-introducing the lovely story of love and beauty that we all treasure, Disney have created a fine piece of work that reminds us of our passion for the story.
As we all know Belle (Emma Watson) is a intelligent girl a head of her time, who is snatched from her ordinary life, into the mysterious world of the Beast (Dan Stevens), when her farther is taken kidnapped by him and she takes his place. But as she discovers the secrets of the Beast's castle and furniture she and the Beast find something that wasn't there before. See what I did? In a visually magnificent presence, the story we love is moved pleasantly onto the live action screen in a colourful and enjoyable experience. Of course not replacing the original masterpiece, the film has its own merits as its own re-telling. These new live action films are not here to replace our memories but show them in the real world instead of animation. I hold that the same magic is equally qualified but with the advancements of technology in filmmaking, the magic that animation could only portray can be seen in real life form.
Emma Watson is the perfect Belle, with no other actor coming to mind to replace her, with her lovely appearance and character fuelling and taking lead of her performance, Watson is an absolute pleasure. Dan Stevens apparently taking the role of the Beast but is too layered in CGI and voice adaptors to tell its him, but somehow making perfect sense when his flesh self is seen. Not forgetting the jewel of the story but the living furniture of Lumière (Ewan McGregor) Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), Mrs Potts (Emma Thompson), all shinning still amazingly all the household appliances that we'd love to own.
Luke Evans steals the show as Gaston , really showing off his self centred, boasting character combined with the humorous match of Josh Glad as LeFou, who's secret is clear but barley as shocking as claimed.
What can be said about Beauty and the Beast (2017) is that a it is a very justified and fine reminder of why we love Beauty and the Beast (1991). Not to say that its not good on its own, on the contrary it is a very enjoyable delight with its majestic music sequences that captures the magic perfectly. But its just not the Disney classic.
The film has added its own additions and side bits, which unfortunately bring very little to the film and could be removed with no difference but are still perfectly fine anyway. At times I couldn't help but look at the film and think that's it was very set piece-y and not as real as it would like to be. Personally I thought I was watching a theatre play at moments.
The Beauty and the Beast song remains as indestructible as ever, but is challenged by Emma Thompson's slightly over sold accent, but does not stir away from the magic. By the end of the film you re-discover the power and love of the story.
At the end of the day, Beauty and the Beast is a wonderful experience that I'm sure will be enjoyed, but just won't match the power of the original, and sometimes too loud in its scenery but none the less an absolute delight. 7.5