More Aces Than a Stacked Deck

Rating: 7/10 (18 June 2017)

Once again, I see people getting so personal with a mere film. The animated "Beauty and the Beast" is in my top ten Disney movies. It has charm and color and some really great singing. It is a tremendous story, based on an unforgettable fairy tale. So, as is the case with other films, there was a Broadway version made and it has become as successful as just about any other musical. All that said, I'm astonished by all the people giving this film a rating of "one." It has incredible special effects, great costuming, glorious sound. Most of the characters seem to work just fine. I would have cast someone besides Emma Watson as Belle, but she holds her own. There are times when the pacing drags a bit, but it stays on serve much of the time. I liked Kevin Kline as Maurice. He is always solid in his roles. I did find the conclusion quite disappointing. It didn't have that cathartic effect it should have. But it's far from a terrible movie.