Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” premiered on March 17. The classic animated movie was brought back in this live-action remake of the movie. Photo fair use by Disney.co.uk.
By BRIA ECHOLS – Staff Writer
The tale as old as time,“Beauty and the Beast,” returned as a live-action film on March 17. Although it attempts to meet the expectations of its 1991 predecessor, it lacks the energy and quirkiness of the original.
Joining the list of other classic Disney films turned into a live-action movies, including “101 Dalmatians” and “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast” made an appearance on screen March 17. For the sake of viewers, it would have been best if Disney left this alone.
The original tale is kept but with a fresh modern twist introducing new songs such as “Evermore” which gives the Beast the spotlight.
The film attempts to amaze viewers with elegant scenes, such as “Be Our Guest,” with its extravagant designs and well thought-out choreography meshing with the rich singing of Lumiere (Ewan McGregor) and the other antique objects in the Beast’s castle.
The beautiful CGI work used for the Beast (Dan Stevens) helped capture the love story the movie was trying to portray, but it seemed to be a way to distract the audience from of some flat musical performances.
During “Belle (Reprise),” it was expected that Belle (Emma Watson) would give a breathtaking performance, but viewers may not have been convinced she wanted “adventure in the great wide somewhere,” as she failed to sell she that she wanted change. It felt as if she was afraid to show the adventurous side of the intelligent, strong, book-loving character like in the original.
The interactions between the villainous and self-centered Gaston (Luke Evans) and his loyal sidekick Lefou (Josh Gad) were no exception. During the castle fight scene the sudden decision of Lefou to switch sides because Gaston’s actions made the villain-and-sidekick relationship confusing.
However, Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), Chip (Nathan Mack) and Cogsworth (Ian Mckellen) were all enjoyable characters to watch. Their longing desire to reconnect with their humanity made them relatable.
Overall, the movie bore a similarity to the 1991 “Beauty and the Beast” with similar lines and songs, but it does not not surpass the animated film in any way. This should be a wake-up call to Disney to be mindful of the classics they decide to remake in the future.
