A completely charming, deeply respectful celebration of the original

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2017)

If you loved the animated original as a child, you will be utterly delighted by the live- action version, which, while adding depth to the central themes and complexity to the characters and story, still remains remarkably winsome and charming. The extra forty minutes are used deftly, adding richness and detail only when needed, and expanding only where the original film simply did not have time enough to do. The love story is deepened beautifully, compelling and believable enough to satisfy adult audiences without drifting from the sweetness and simplicity the original. Inevitably, there are moments where the movie falls short and you may judge for yourself where those moments occur -- but even where it disappoints, it only reminds us of the perfection of the iconic film that inspired it. It is, above all, a respectful, endlessly enjoyable celebration of the classic.