It Was Everything I Hoped It Would Be!

Rating: 10/10 (19 March 2017)

I still remember back in May 2016 when they announced the first Trailer for Beauty and the Beast would be airing tomorrow on Good Morning America and that night...I didn't sleep a wink! The anticipation was incredible, like going to sleep on Christmas Eve! Although it was only a teaser, as soon as the piano played that infamous opening theme, I felt my eyes well up with tears. I don't remember the last time I was this excited for a movie. Now 10 months later, it's all over. The cartoon version is my favourite Disney film so needless to say, I set the bar high, and there would be hell to pay should the 1991 film be dismissed or tarnished. Let's begin with the obvious: The Cast. Everyone has had their own ideas about who were the ideal choices but I feel they got everyone right on this one. A healthy blend of Broadway stage actors and film actors gave the heart and soul needed to this film. Those criticizing Emma for not being a "singer" need to cut her a break. When casting a role in a live action musical, more must be considered beyond singing ability such as a recognizable face as well as mannerisms that embody the spirit of the character (like Audrey Hepburn over Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady). Now with the demand of a live action film where previous cartoon incarnations of this character were rendered with a combination of computers, drawings, and an actor who only provided a voice, the complete package must be sought in your leading lady. While not a Broadway singer, Watson's portrayal of Belle comes across as Honest, impassioned, and earnest when expressing through song, her yearning for something more. I am not familiar with Dan Stevens or Luke Evans prior work but whatever it was that Director Bill Condon saw in them, he was right. The emotional ebb and flow that Beast suffers weaves its way into your heart of seeing him as more than just filled with rage without reason. This is showcased the best in the new song "Evermore". I was in tears at his broken heart when he releases Belle. He was not born a beast, he was made a beast. Stevens was the right choice. As regrettable as it is to have to give adulation to a character who gives himself plenty enough as it is, the show was undeniably stolen by Luke Evans as Gaston. While the cartoon version has almost more of a comedic element to him until close to the end, this Gaston reveals his true sinister capabilities beyond his unbridled narcissism much sooner, and the audience has a much stronger contempt for Gaston for reasons other than his unhindered persistence of our heroine. The supporting cast does their job exactly as expected among Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs Potts with little deviation from that of their cartoon counterparts, and appropriately so. McGregor does quite a service singing Be Our Guest which, let's be honest, is THE song that comes to mind when people think of this movie, so much that it becomes a tagline with nearly everything to do with it, and Emma Thompson retains all the emotion and simplistic charm in the eponymous song during the infamous ballroom scene that is guaranteed to leave no eye in the audience dry. The scenery of the film leaves little to be desired in the ways of design, as it all suits the architecture of this fantasy world. However, with the kind of financial position an entertainment company like Disney has, I did find that some scenes could have benefited to be shot on live locations. There could have been expansions of atmospheric and emotional enrichment from the addition of an actual dense and dark snow sprinkled forest or a real golden sun kissed barley field embraced by a cloudless baby blue sky when Belle emphatically proclaims her desire for "adventure in the great wide somewhere" instead of what were all clearly soundstages in the Disney studio backlot. As for the additions to the story, I felt they were all very well written and did nothing but add to the depth and dimensions of our protagonists. Knowing about Belles mother and Beasts parents were a welcomed addition to what up until now was only answered with conjecture. Let us not forget as well that the 1991 cartoon was a hand drawn piece of work culminating in 2 years to produce an 85 minute film. The addition of another 35 minutes to match the new one would've added a year to schedule and millions in production costs. These additions are not the frivolous and unnecessary expansions that left so many fans disillusioned with the Star Wars trilogy. Finallythe music. What can be said of Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashmen's ingenious music and lyrics that haven't already been stated? While some new songs written by Menken may not stand up to the old classic numbers of this story, they certainly don't take away anything from it either. As mentioned before, the song Evermore is a much welcomed addition that brings a tear to any man who knows the bitter taste of heartbreak. The added sidenote that Disney's people scoured the archives and found Ashmen's lyrics cut from these songs, and are now included in this new film is a particularly touching and heartfelt homage to a man of such tremendous creativity and genius. Affectionately remembered by his friends and family and immortalized in his lyrics, it is a shame that he were not here to see this beautiful film nearly 26 years after the original.
To our friend Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, we will be forever grateful.
Though it may not have the prestige of being "original", I have no doubt that this film will continue to inspire legions of new Disney fans and reinvigorate the dreams of the old ones. Well Done!!