Beauty and the Beast (2017)

[Trini]

8 hours ago, JessePinkman said:

I'm shook. This is gorgeous.

I think trying to make (Disney's version of) the beast look more human-like actually made things worse. It's an actor with mocap, right? Then CG over that? (I haven't been following the production.)

Edited March 15, 2017 by Trini

[pezgirl7]

3 hours ago, Trini said:

I think trying to make (Disney's version of) the beast look more human-like actually made things worse. It's an actor with mocap, right? Then CG over that? (I haven't been following the production.)

I think I need to reserve judgement until I actually see more than a few seconds here and there of the Beast. Here's some info about the technology they used to create the Beast on screen:

Quote

As well as a combination of live-action, physical-performance capture and Mova facial-capture technology, the actor Dan Stevens also donned stilts and a prosthetics muscle suit. On top of that, he wore a fractal grey bodysuit with visual effects indicators that read every one of his movements.

Capturing his facial movements meant extra work for Stevens. “It was especially challenging,” remembers Stevens, “as you have to think back to scenes already filmed and move just your face, not your body, whether you had any dialogue or not. There was one instance where I had to do the entire ballroom waltz with just my face, which was quite interesting.”

Stevens’s performance will go down in history as one of the most challenging and daring ever. The performer had to do his role twice – once for his body movements and another for his facial expressions. In the end, Stevens had to act in different ways with different parts of his body.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/beauty-and-the-beast/making-the-magic-real/

[metaphor]

Just saw the movie in IMAX 3D and really loved it. The musical numbers flowed so much better within the film than in the sneak peeks and even on the soundtrack. For instance, I thought the soundtrack's version of Belle felt disjointed, but in the movie, I was impressed. The visuals also helped a lot and got me to stop comparing the songs against those of the animated version. I particularly enjoyed Gaston and The Mob Song for this reason.

I think Emma made an excellent Belle, and the Beast made me laugh a few times. I appreciated the added levity and the fleshing out of backstories and personalities, both of which enriched the romance between the two. I also agree with the positive reviews on Luke Evans, even as 

Spoiler

this Gaston's behavior appalled me even more than the animated version's. Leaving Maurice to be eaten by wolves... so cold. 

He had such a good presence and singing voice. I enjoyed all of the castle's animated inhabitants, with Mrs. Potts and Lumiere being the highlights. Ultimately, the only downside for me was Josh Gad, whose Le Fou felt a bit too in your face.

The dance was beautiful, though

Spoiler

I'd have appreciated it if the camera had just stayed focused on Belle and the Beast the entire time instead of panning to the chandeliers and other decor. For all that Emma has hyped that this moment is the moment they fall in love, the waltz felt very short to me. Beautiful, but short.

 The yellow dress also looked much better in the film than in stills, I thought, perhaps 

Spoiler

because of the way they showed the application of the details.

All in all, as a big fan of the animated version who also loved the musical, I am glad for this addition to the story. It definitely wasn't a letdown, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again this weekend and appreciating the film in even more detail. 

[Silje]

Dan Stevens, Luke Evans and Josh Gad joined James Corden in Crosswalk the Musical: Beauty and the Beast:

[Spartan Girl]

Just got back from it. I thought it was great. Don't try to compare it to the original because you're never gonna win there, but it had a great cast and it remained true to the original spirit of the film. And everyone clearly had a ball making it.

I liked how it incorporated the element from the original fairy tale of Maurice being imprisoned for "stealing" the rose, and that Belle basically tricked her father (and the Beast) into taking his place. Also that the servants were the ones trying to play Cupid; it kind of lessens the "Stockhom Syndrome" when the Beast starts out as not having any interest in Belle whatsoever due to his snobby attitude that she's "the daughter of a common thief". So there's no issue of him trying to use her to use her to break the curse, he just comes to care for her on his own.

And adding backstory didn't dumb it down. Really I'm glad they fixed all the plotholes of why the villagers had no idea about the castle.

The prologue of the Prince's court reminded me so much of Marie Antoinette but it was fitting.

Emma made Belle even more of a badass than she was in the cartoon. Loved her more forceful attitude telling Gaston flat-out that she didn't want to marry him. She had good chemistry with Dan, who is attractive even in Beast form. It was nice to see them more as intellectual equals, bonding over their mutual love of books. He got some big laughs when he makes fun of her loving romance stories...and the interactions with the horse, hee.

Gaston and LeFou were a blast. Honestly the whole "LeFou is gay" thing wasn't even a big deal.

LOL at how pissed Mrs. Potts got when LeFou called her "the teacup's grandmother".

I got a bit of a Moulin Rouge vibe from the end of "Be Our Guest" though not in an unpleasant way. I loved Ewan as Lumiere, accent and all. Ian McKellan was perfect as Cogsworth.

The ballroom scene was very well done. The gold dress was so much prettier when you got to see all the detail. Her dress at the end though? Gorgeous!"

"Would you mind growing a beard?" LOL, good call, Emma, Dan looks even better scruffy.

Overall, I enjoyed it very much. A darn sight better than Wonderland or Maleficent.

[caracas1914]

I like Emma, but this is a musical and Belle's voice should soar.  Seriously, with today's technology I wouldn't even mind if they (gasp!) lip synched her with some else's singing voice.  Her voice has no umph in the singing...

[coppersin]

It was well-made and well-cast, but to me it didn't have much heart. It seemed more like they were following a very specific checklist of scenes than making their own story; that improved in the second half, but the first half felt more like a series of reenactments to me than a fluid storyline.

There were some good bits, enough that it was worth seeing in theaters but I'll probably forget this was made as quickly as I did Cinderella.

Oh, and Chip was adorable. But that's basically a universal truth. It's difficult to imagine someone messing him up.

[BitterApple]

Just got back from seeing the movie. Overall, I thought they did a pretty good job. 

I still don't think Emma was the best casting choice for Belle. She didn't have the vocal chops to really make an impact in the musical numbers and she often came across as wooden when interacting with the CGI characters. I know this is the worst possible insult to throw at an actress, but she reminded me of Kristen Stewart in Twilight. I did absolutely love that floral dress she wore at the end, though and the yellow ballgown looked MUCH better in live action than it did in photographs.

On a positive note, LeFou was hilarious, Chip was adorable, Ewan McGregor slayed "Be Our Guest" and Emma did a respectable job as Mrs. Potts. 

I do think the critics are being overly ridiculous in hating on the film. Of course it isn't as good as the original, but it's still incredibly entertaining and the musical numbers were awesome. It was definitely worth the price of admission. 

Edited March 19, 2017 by BitterApple

[bmoore4026]

On 3/15/2017 at 6:06 PM, Trini said:

I think trying to make (Disney's version of) the beast look more human-like actually made things worse. It's an actor with mocap, right? Then CG over that? (I haven't been following the production.)

Yeah.  Animated Beast looks nice and snuggly.  This Beast, no so much.

[pezgirl7]

I saw the movie tonight and loved it! The music was so much better when it was paired with the visuals, and I take back what I said about Ewan having one of the weakest voices. He was great on Be Out Guest, and was just so fun to watch and listen to throughout the movie. I knew I would love Gaston, since I'm such a big Luke Evans fan, but he really looked and sounded amazing. And once he went evil, he just went full-on, which was great. Emma's voice didn't bother me at all, which surprised me, and I thought her acting was just fine. I know there was a lot of talk about the "gay" scene at the end, but I actually thought there were quite a lot of gay moments. Some people actually cheered at the gay scene at the end. I don't know if they were cheering because they were happy for the inclusion, or because they were pleased that LeFou found a happy ending! The only other cheers were at the very end of the movie. There were quite a lot of kids in the audience, and they just giggled at the "gay" parts. The movie will hardly corrupt children.

[Browncoat]

I just got back from seeing this, and I loved it as well.  I thought Emma did a great job as Belle, and I had zero problems with her voice.  I will always and forever love Kevin Kline (and Stanley Tucci, too, for that matter), and thought Kevin made a wonderful Maurice.  Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts rivalled Angela Lansbury (though Angela will always be the best), and as someone said above, the kid who played Chip was adorable.  And my goodness, Audra Mcdonald brought it, as she does.

I kind of wanted someone beefier for Gaston.  At times, he even seemed a bit small.  I was slightly disappointed in his song, too, mostly because I had a hard time hearing the singers -- the music drowned them out.  It might have been the theater, though the other songs were fine.

Loved the ball gown!  It was gorgeous in motion.

I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

[SnoGirl]

I feel like I should preface this post with saying Belle was my everything as a kid because she was the only Disney leading lady I could relate to. So needless to say I was so worried they were going to screw this up.

But I saw the movie tonight and I am in love. Wow, was that a beautiful movie. I loved everything about it. The music, the visuals and all the actors. I was constantly tearing up or dropping tears bc I was watching my childhood in real life on screen. Belle was an alto?! I absolutely loved that.

Belle's reaction to being given the library was everything. Her reaction as the Beast left her standing by herself in thr library was just absolutely perfect. I didn't mind the inventor aspect, but I did wish they had shown her building something for the Beast or getting her and her father out of the asylum cart. It was nice in the beginning but I wish they had revisited it. I also thought Watson did a great job showing her gumption and brashness when she was at the castle. I thought she looked really uncomfortable in the village but was confident and strong with the Beast. She always had such purpose when she walked around.

Love the Beast, but of all the plot holes they fixed, I wish they had used his real name especially as he changed through the movie. Or at the end, having Belle scream his name instead of Beast to get his attention. Show how he was changing from the Beast to something more human. I liked that Belle struggled with moving him both times he was hurt. Made since he was huge compared to Belle. I also cannot believe this is the same actor from Legion. Man, he is fantastic.

I did like the other fixes, like the Enchantress saving Maurice or coming back at the end, Mr Potts, why no one remembered the castle or mentioning that it was weird that it was snowing in June at the castle. Talking with my friends after the movie, one pointed out that at the beginning of the movie, Mr Potts said "I've forgotten something but I can't remember what it was." Heartbroken. Or having all the characters say their goodbyes as they turned to permanent fixtures.

 

The only things I didn't like was the Beast's growl at the end when Belle suggested he grow a beard. I wish he had laughed loudly at it, which is a human reaction, I thought it was real awkward and reminded me of Austin Powers. All he needed was the "Yeah Baby." I also could not give over how small Gaston was. I tried, but he was just so scrawny.  The lifting screen during the Gaston number really ruined it. His arms, his body, so tiny. 

Edited March 19, 2017 by SnoGirl

[pezgirl7]

43 minutes ago, SnoGirl said:

The only things I didn't like was the Beast's growl at the end when Belle suggested he grow a beard. I wish he had laughed loudly at it, which is a human reaction, I thought it was real awkward and reminded me of Austin Powers. All he needed was the "Yeah Baby." I also could not give over how small Gaston was. I tried, but he was just so scrawny.  The lifting screen during the Gaston number really ruined it. His arms, his body, so tiny. 

I didn't like the growl either. It made me laugh, but it was just a little strange. I'm very tempted to post a shirtless photo of Luke Evans, because there's nothing scraggily or scrawny about him. ;) He's 6 feet of muscle. Anyway, I've seen a few other people complain about him not being beefy enough. I guess that didn't bother me because it was live action, and in this version, it was more about him being a war hero than it was about his physical stature. Also, I think I might have been a bit creeped out in the scenes with Gaston and Belle if they had gotten someone really big. As it was, I thought she looked pretty tiny next to him.

[SnoGirl]

12 hours ago, pezgirl7 said:

I didn't like the growl either. It made me laugh, but it was just a little strange. I'm very tempted to post a shirtless photo of Luke Evans, because there's nothing scraggily or scrawny about him. ;) He's 6 feet of muscle. Anyway, I've seen a few other people complain about him not being beefy enough. I guess that didn't bother me because it was live action, and in this version, it was more about him being a war hero than it was about his physical stature. Also, I think I might have been a bit creeped out in the scenes with Gaston and Belle if they had gotten someone really big. As it was, I thought she looked pretty tiny next to him.

I do think the height difference between Belle and Gaston was intimidating...espeically during that scene above. I thought the dress grab was super aggressive and I was incredibly uncomfortable watching him advance on Belle. It definitely reminded me of a predator stalking its prey. He just wasnt beefy to me. But I did like how unhinged he was. Luke Evans did a nice job showing how vain and messed up Gaston's world view was.

I did like LaFou's shades of gray and his change of heart regarding Gaston. He watched his hero fall into the rabbit's hole and did not like what Belle rejecting Gaston looked like. 

[voiceover]

On 3/12/2017 at 3:43 PM, Jazzy24 said:

The animated movies were made in the 90s and that was a much different time than now. Now it's about feminism, empowering females and telling girls everywhere that you can do anything you put your mind too

Wow.  So you think in the 90s, girls were encouraged to become wives & mothers -- maybe cooks & librarians? 

Not a fan of movie reviews that spend all their time wailing for the film that *might have been*, but maaaannnn...I weep for what Dan Stevens might have done with some amazing make-up and NO CGI!  

The fact that I still get a sense of him through his expressive eyes goes to prove he is a way better actor than I ever thought.

[nodorothyparker]

I can see where people wishing this Gaston was bigger are coming from, mostly because of the song line "I'm roughly the size of a barge" and he is drawn so much bigger than everyone else in the cartoon.  It didn't really bother me but I get how it could, which is funny to me because Luke Evans more than any other actor completely nailed the animated version come to life for me.

I loved this.  LIke SnoGirl said, Belle was the only one of the Disney heroines who ever really resonated with me and she's the one my own daughter most relates to for being smart and bookish and not quite fitting in.  This is the case for a lot of mothers and daughters I know.  So the stakes were high going in that they not mess this up.  And they wildly succeeded on most fronts unless you're looking for a shot by shot remake, which rarely works anyway.  I found myself unable to stop smiling with absolute glee through all the musical numbers.  Most of it did feel like the animated version come to life with all the extra bells and whistles, and the little things that were added made sense in filling in plot holes or simply improving the story flow and providing context.  Adding the detail that the spell that made all of this happen also wiped the memories of the surrounding townsfolk of the castle's existence and even of their loved ones who were serving there was perfect.  Mostly importantly to me, they nailed the "library porn" moment, and every woman who fell in love with the cartoon when the Beast gives Belle the library knows what I mean when I say that.  It's the giddy sense of being given the whole world even within the castle walls and being left to drink it all in.

If I had any issue with it, it was the more than two hour run time, which did make it feel at times a little overstuffed compared to the original that clocked in at 81 minutes.  That makes it a little long for kids.  My own two were definitely getting antsy wanting to know how much longer by the time we hit that last half hour.

[Brn2bwild]

Was the "Human Again" number in the movie?  To me, that addition ruined the updated animated film, as it's such a fluff number.

[nodorothyparker]

No, it wasn't.  There were several other songs that were not in the animated film though.

[Brn2bwild]

31 minutes ago, voiceover said:

Wow.  So you think in the 90s, girls were encouraged to become wives & mothers -- maybe cooks & librarians? 

Yeah, the 90s gave us Daria, Buffy, and Christina Ricci's Wednesday Addams.  Not a pushover among them...

[Jazzy24]

1 hour ago, voiceover said:

Wow.  So you think in the 90s, girls were encouraged to become wives & mothers -- maybe cooks & librarians? 

No I don't think that. I just think with so much social media and many outlets to voice your thoughts and it being 2017 that of course it was a different time in the 90s. 

 

I hope Im making sense and not coming off as rude. 

Edited March 19, 2017 by Jazzy24

[Browncoat]

2 hours ago, nodorothyparker said:

I can see where people wishing this Gaston was bigger are coming from, mostly because of the song line "I was roughly the size of a barge" and he is drawn so much bigger than everyone else in the cartoon.  It didn't really bother me but I could see how it could, which is funny to me because Luke Evans more than any other actor completely nailed the animated version come to life for me.

He did nail the role.  He did a great job!  Perhaps if they'd cast someone less, um, robust than Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston would have seemed bigger.  Or if his horse had been a smaller breed than a Friesian (no one looks large on a Friesian!) it might have helped the visual.  The scene of him looming over Belle was the best indication of his beefiness, but Emma Watson is so tiny to begin with that Gaston didn't need to be particularly large.

And I agree 100% with the library porn.  I know exactly how Belle felt!  All of those wonderful books (well, except for the ones in Greek)!

[pezgirl7]

4 hours ago, SnoGirl said:

I thought the dress grab was super aggressive and I was incredibly uncomfortable watching him advance on Belle. It definitely reminded me of a predator stalking its prey.

The dress grab was part of the promo clip that they showed when Luke appeared on the Ellen show, so I watched it quite a few times before seeing the movie. When I first saw it, it made me laugh and I thought it was a nice bit of physical comedy. To me, it reminded me of a child tugging on their mother's dress to get their attention. He didn't so much pull her closer, but used the dress to pull him closer to her. I thought it was just him not knowing how to behave correctly, and showing that he was so confident in knowing that they should be together. He totally overstepped his bounds, but I didn't see it as being sexually aggressive like others did. Although I can see how people could see it that way. If they had kept the scene from the animated version, of Gaston pinning Belle against the door, that would have been very uncomfortable to watch. One thing that confused me is why Gaston was smiling so much after she rejected him. Maybe it just shows how delusional he is.

It's been two days, and I still have the songs stuck in my head!

[raven]

2 hours ago, Browncoat said:

And I agree 100% with the library porn.  I know exactly how Belle felt!  All of those wonderful books (well, except for the ones in Greek)!

I also agree 100%.  I loved that Belle and the Beast were shown bonding over books in the library during the "There May Be Something There" number and at other times, that they have books at dinner, Belle reading to him when they were outside.

Just saw this today and I also loved it.  I really thought Emma did a great job - really, the whole cast was great, with Luke Evans a standout - Gaston, when introduced, is an obnoxious lout,  dumb and a little funny (the scene where he's admiring himself in the mirror was funny) but then his true colors come out and he shows how awful he really is.  I thought Luke nailed that transition very well and did a great job with threatening body language.

I also enjoyed Ewan McGregor's Lumiere - no one can touch Jerry Orbach, but Ewan was very charming, funny, hopeful - plus he has a good singing voice.   Josh Gad brought a wistfulness to LeFou and I'm glad his piece was expanded and that he was included with the dance at the end.

It was a bit long for young kids and I was a little jarred with not one, but two dead/dying mother scenes (one with plague!)  I guess they were going for Belle/Beast bonding, Beast giving her information she was longing to have, but it felt tonally off, and not really necessary.   I also wasn't too happy that Cogsworth is saddled with a nagging wife - I know they were going for laughs, but as much as the movie wants to show an expanded and empowered Belle and we get a (tentative) gay LeFou scene, why add the nagging wife stereotype?  Again, tonally off.  I'm also creeped out by the wigs and whiteface, but that's just a personal thing.

Those are really nitpicks - I loved, loved Belle's opening number; the Gaston and Be our Guest numbers were a lot of fun; Kevin Kline's Maurice was spot on as was Emma Thompson's Mrs. Potts.  I liked the explanation of the town forgetting as part of the curse and that Mrs. and Mr. Potts got a happy reunion.    Belle's yellow gown was beautiful - it looks much better in the movie than the photos.  I teared up more than once.

Excellent job overall, with just a couple of things that threw me off.  Quite a few people applauded at the end.  

[Jazzy24]

4 hours ago, voiceover said:

Wow.  So you think in the 90s, girls were encouraged to become wives & mothers -- maybe cooks & librarians? 

NM 

[Mockingbird]

I loved it. I thought it was fun and sweet and really visually beautiful, and I was fine with the extended running time, mostly because I was watching the cartoon the other day (which has always been a favorite), took the dog out briefly before the Beast saves Belle from the wolves, and I came back and they had just finished the ballroom dance. They fall in love quickly so I enjoyed seeing a little bit more of that in the live action movie. I also appreciated Belle not screaming, "BEAST!" when he's facing Gaston. That's bugged me since 1991. Though I would have preferred him getting a name at some point...

My slightly silly issue is that there was a moment when Maurice was talking and all of a sudden, I couldn't unhear Kevin Kline as Mr. Fischoeder from Bob's Burgers. Five-year-old me was also disappointed that there was a Mr. Potts in the picture, because I had always just imagined that Maurice and Mrs. Potts totally got together at some point. 

Also didn't love Cogsworth's wife, but I did like LeFou being a bit more fleshed out and having a change of heart. Most of the changes from the cartoon were fine by me (even if Gaston was almost too evil, though there was no question in this version that he deserved to plunge to his death). I feel like I shouldn't be as taken with "Evermore" as I am, but the melody is so pretty, and Dan Stevens really sells the hell out of it. 

[irisheyes]

Took my five year old to see it last night.  She thought it was "too loud", so she didn't enjoy it as much as i had hoped.  I, on the other hand, loved every minute.  I loved how they made Gaston even more evil than in the original.  I loved how we saw Belle and the Beast fall in love in a longer stretch.  And, I really really loved "Evermore".  I had no idea Dan Stevens could sing so well.  I was in tears during that song.  Yes, they auto-tuned Emma Watson quite a bit, but that's what you were going to get if you cast her over someone more well known for their singing.  I think they wanted a big name for Belle, so they were willing to make some trade offs.

My son wants to go see the new Power Rangers movie with his friends next week.  I may drop him off at that one and rewatch Beauty and the Beast by myself.  I loved it that much!

[Jazzy24]

I loved this movie!! 

It was beautiful. I did like Emma as Belle and Dan as the Beast. I loved all the changes they made to this movie. I loved that Belle and the Beast bonded over their love of books and that we had a longer story of them falling in love.

I loved the servants. I liked the added back story on why they were cursed also which was sad. I literally cried when they were saying their goodbyes as they were turning into inanimate objects. 

Again it was a really beautiful visual movie. I loved the library scene it gave me warm tingly happy feelings. 

[frenchtoast]

I got to see it today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Watching the animated one after I'm so glad Kevin Kline as Maurice was so warm and loving. Luke Evan was deliciously evil. I also appreciate that LeFou was given a story, too. Actually, I think I liked all the actors in the roles. I wasn't too fond of the new songs, but sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to new songs. I saw it in 3D (it was the only showing that had seats) and it was ok--I don't do well with 3D. I did sort of jump at the snowball. There were some girls dressed up as Belle which was cute. I was impressed how quiet all the kids were. And at the end there was even a smattering of applause. I even liked the end credits. 

[Haleth]

I saw it last night and loved everything* about it.  The animated version always was (and forever more will be) my favorite of the golden age Disney animated films.  I thought this live version was its equal in every way.  Bravo!

*(If I have one teeny tiny criticism it's that I did miss Angela Lansbury's voice.  I do adore Emma Thompson but Angela is Mrs Potts.)

[ae2]

I just want to know...

Does the witch get punished? Because destroying the lives of innocent servants because some jerk refused to let you in his house out of the storm is arguably the worst offense in the movie.

Did the villagers learn any sort of lesson? They were close-minded bigots, and willing to throw someone in the asylum based on unsubstantiated evidence. At the end all is forgiven? Many of them are at the castle dancing. Are they suddenly accepting of Belle's educational interest and ingenuity? Does the little kid get to continue her education?

Does Belle actually get to live her dream and have adventures and see the world? Or is she settling down to become a wife and mother, this time with more books?

[Glory]

"Turn back into a clock. Turn back into a clock!" 

Cogsworth got the biggest laugh out of me. 

I thought Ewan McGregor as Lumiere was inspired. He was just perfect! 

I loved everything about this movie. It's amazing how so many of us related to Belle. My yellow prom dress was purchased solely because it looked like Belle's! 

Does anyone have a comparison of the lines/lyrics that were changed in the Gaston number? I'm curious what they took out/added in. 

[pezgirl7]

51 minutes ago, Glory said:

Does anyone have a comparison of the lines/lyrics that were changed in the Gaston number? I'm curious what they took out/added in. 

These are some added lyrics:

Quote

 

Who plays darts like Gaston?
Who breaks hearts like Gaston?
Who’s much more than the sum or his parts like Gaston?

I needed encouragement, thank you LeFou
Well there’s no one as easy to bolster as you

When I hunt I sneak up with my quiver
And the beasts on the field say a prayer
First I carefully aim for the liver
Then I shoot from behind (Is that fair?) I don’t care!

Who has brains like Gaston, entertains like Gaston?
Who can make up these endless refrains like Gaston?

And his name's G-A-S...T...
I believe there's another T...
It just occurred to me that I'm illiterate
And I've never actually had to spell it out loud before...

 

Some of the lyrics they removed are:

Quote

 

For there’s no one as burly and brawny
As you see I’ve got biceps to spare
Not a bit of him’s scraggly or scrawny
And ev'ry last inch of me’s covered with hair

 

[dkb]

On 3/18/2017 at 10:45 PM, SnoGirl said:

I feel like I should preface this post with saying Belle was my everything as a kid because she was the only Disney leading lady I could relate to. So needless to say I was so worried they were going to screw this up.

But I saw the movie tonight and I am in love. Wow, was that a beautiful movie. I loved everything about it. The music, the visuals and all the actors. I was constantly tearing up or dropping tears bc I was watching my childhood in real life on screen. Belle was an alto?! I absolutely loved that.

Belle's reaction to being given the library was everything. Her reaction as the Beast left her standing by herself in thr library was just absolutely perfect. I didn't mind the inventor aspect, but I did wish they had shown her building something for the Beast or getting her and her father out of the asylum cart. It was nice in the beginning but I wish they had revisited it. I also thought Watson did a great job showing her gumption and brashness when she was at the castle. I thought she looked really uncomfortable in the village but was confident and strong with the Beast. She always had such purpose when she walked around.

Love the Beast, but of all the plot holes they fixed, I wish they had used his real name especially as he changed through the movie. Or at the end, having Belle scream his name instead of Beast to get his attention. Show how he was changing from the Beast to something more human. I liked that Belle struggled with moving him both times he was hurt. Made since he was huge compared to Belle. I also cannot believe this is the same actor from Legion. Man, he is fantastic.

I did like the other fixes, like the Enchantress saving Maurice or coming back at the end, Mr Potts, why no one remembered the castle or mentioning that it was weird that it was snowing in June at the castle. Talking with my friends after the movie, one pointed out that at the beginning of the movie, Mr Potts said "I've forgotten something but I can't remember what it was." Heartbroken. Or having all the characters say their goodbyes as they turned to permanent fixtures.

 

The only things I didn't like was the Beast's growl at the end when Belle suggested he grow a beard. I wish he had laughed loudly at it, which is a human reaction, I thought it was real awkward and reminded me of Austin Powers. All he needed was the "Yeah Baby." I also could not give over how small Gaston was. I tried, but he was just so scrawny.  The lifting screen during the Gaston number really ruined it. His arms, his body, so tiny. 

 

17 hours ago, Jazzy24 said:

I loved this movie!! 

It was beautiful. I did like Emma as Belle and Dan as the Beast. I loved all the changes they made to this movie. I loved that Belle and the Beast bonded over their love of books and that we had a longer story of them falling in love.

I loved the servants. I liked the added back story on why they were cursed also which was sad. I literally cried when they were saying their goodbyes as they were turning into inanimate objects. 

Again it was a really beautiful visual movie. I loved the library scene it gave me warm tingly happy feelings. 

 

3 hours ago, Glory said:

"Turn back into a clock. Turn back into a clock!" 

Cogsworth got the biggest laugh out of me. 

I thought Ewan McGregor as Lumiere was inspired. He was just perfect! 

I loved everything about this movie. It's amazing how so many of us related to Belle. My yellow prom dress was purchased solely because it looked like Belle's! 

Does anyone have a comparison of the lines/lyrics that were changed in the Gaston number? I'm curious what they took out/added in. 

I was bawling at the servants saying goodbye. Especially Cogsworth and Lumiere and Chip and Mrs. Potts. Sir Ian Mckellen is the best, he made me cry and then I few minutes later got the biggest laugh from me too.

23 hours ago, Browncoat said:

He did nail the role.  He did a great job!  Perhaps if they'd cast someone less, um, robust than Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston would have seemed bigger.  Or if his horse had been a smaller breed than a Friesian (no one looks large on a Friesian!) it might have helped the visual.  The scene of him looming over Belle was the best indication of his beefiness, but Emma Watson is so tiny to begin with that Gaston didn't need to be particularly large.

And I agree 100% with the library porn.  I know exactly how Belle felt!  All of those wonderful books (well, except for the ones in Greek)!

The library was so gorgeous, I want it! The Beast was adorable when he made the joke about some of them being in Greek. Also him throwing the giant snowball directly into Belle's face was hilarious, it was so much bigger than the one she threw. 

I really enjoyed it and Disney still gotta make me cry.

[SnoGirl]

7 hours ago, ae2 said:

I just want to know...

Does the witch get punished? Because destroying the lives of innocent servants because some jerk refused to let you in his house out of the storm is arguably the worst offense in the movie.

Did the villagers learn any sort of lesson? They were close-minded bigots, and willing to throw someone in the asylum based on unsubstantiated evidence. At the end all is forgiven? Many of them are at the castle dancing. Are they suddenly accepting of Belle's educational interest and ingenuity? Does the little kid get to continue her education?

Does Belle actually get to live her dream and have adventures and see the world? Or is she settling down to become a wife and mother, this time with more books?

I wouldn't actually mind a sequel for this movie if it was done well...it would be interesting to see what happens next. I would hope that they would travel and see the world since Belle talked about it in the beginning about having so much more planned. Also, because isn't this the time in history where the French started to chop off heads of people in power?

Mrs. Potts makes a comment about how they're not innocent in the curse either, that they didn't step in as the Beast's father twisted him from the innocent boy he was. I really liked that scene because Belle offered to help break the curse, and Potts cuts her off to make that comment. I like to think they were protecting her from feeling obliged to fall in love with the Beast, or that they've learned they must stand-up for those they love.

I wish the villagers had learned some sort of lesson. They did seem like a large group of followers and maybe by getting rid of Gaston, the herd will follow new leaders, like Belle and the Beast.

I saw the movie again on Sunday (I NEVER do that) and I kept trying to think of where they could have introduced the Beast's name. I was thinking when they were talking while sitting in the roses, before they traveled to Paris. Like when they were talking about how the servants stop laughing when the Beast walks in. You could have had Belle asked why they don't call him by his name. He could have told her then, or before she left to rescue her father. I still wished they had introduced his name, it could have been pretty powerful to have Belle call him by his name at the end. 

Either way, I can't wait to buy the movie. I can't get the music out of my head. I am in love with all of the songs!

[anyanka323]

As someone who saw the animated version in theaters as a kid, I was really impressed with it.  Between this and the Jungle Book, Disney is making some very smart choices about the animated movies they've chosen to adapt as live action versions.

I appreciated that actors who could sing decently to well were cast.  I knew that Ewan McGregor could sing fairly well having seen Moulin Rouge and his performance of Heroes at a David Bowie tribute last year.  Jerry Orbach's a hard act to follow up, but he did well.  Luke Evans' musical theater background worked to his benefit.

[Frost]

On ‎3‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 5:21 PM, SnoGirl said:

I kept trying to think of where they could have introduced the Beast's name

I thought Belle, after she and the Beast were more comfortable, could have cautiously asked about the painting she saw with a boy and his parents.  The Beast could have sadly said, "His name was Adam.  He lived here once, long long ago."  And then changed the subject.  Belle would figure it out, of course, but never use it until at the end when she's calling out to him during the fight with Gaston.

[Frost]

I thought it was interesting that the painting clearly shows slashes through both the father and Adam himself, but his mother's face is unmarked.  I had an '"That's why!" moment when later in the film, Mrs Potts talks about how his father twisted the child after his mother died.  Although I am very puzzled as to what Mrs Potts and the other household servants could have done to prevent that from happening.   Adam looked to be 7 or 8 at his mother's death bed.  If his father basically trained the prince to be callous and entitled, how are the housekeeper and butler supposed to counteract that?  The only thing I can think of is his father pulled the same kind of "he doesn't eat unless he's done what I commanded!" stunt that the Beast did to Belle and Mrs Potts and the others actually went along with it, rather than being kind to Adam behind his father's back.  Obviously, I'm thinking way too much about the motivation of fictional characters!

Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.  I'm actually a little uncomfortable with making Gaston a former soldier.  That scene in the forest with Le Fou seeing the danger signs in Gaston's mood and trying to talk him down skirted a little too close to PTSD.  I wish they had left Gaston simply an ego maniacal hunter and not gone the soldier route. 

[pezgirl7]

10 hours ago, Frost said:

Although I am very puzzled as to what Mrs Potts and the other household servants could have done to prevent that from happening.

I had the same thought. As servants, they weren't really in the position to do much. Maybe some of them that were closer to the boy, but the cook or the dishwasher? What could they have done?!

Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.  I'm actually a little uncomfortable with making Gaston a former soldier.  That scene in the forest with Le Fou seeing the danger signs in Gaston's mood and trying to talk him down skirted a little too close to PTSD.  I wish they had left Gaston simply an ego maniacal hunter and not gone the soldier route. 

Luke Evans has actually said that as part of the backstory they created for Gaston, they decided that he suffers from PTSD, and that's where a lot of his bursts of rage come from. Although it's strange that flashing back to the war would then make him calm down. That doesn't make sense to me. But I also heard that Luke and Josh completely improvised that scene, so the whole "blood, widows" thing was just something that Josh came up with.

I saw the movie for a second time yesterday. Still loved it! I also stayed to the very end of the credits this time. Josh Groban's version of Evermore was very pretty. Also, I just love how they did the credits. The slow moving portraits, like a painting come to life, and then the oil paint backgrounds and the silhouettes were so beautiful.

I just read that the President of Production at Disney said they are looking at possible prequel and spinoff scenarios for the movie! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Gaston and LeFou prequel!

[Nidratime]

I know this is a fairy tale and I shouldn't look for logical answers to things, but one thing that jumped out at me was the horse and the distance. When Belle comes to rescue her father and tricks him and the Beast into letting her father go, I naturally thought the father rode the horse back to the village when he first tried to convince them to save her. However, when Belle tries to escape the first time from the castle and is attacked by wolves, the horse is there for her to ride, so her father couldn't have taken it. Did her father just walk back to the village? Or, did he send the horse back despite the fact the horse seemed very reluctant to go back there. I *get* that the castle was kind of hidden by magic, helped by perpetual winter and wolves, but were they so close the father could walk back?

I know. I know. I shouldn't look for logic in fairy tales and fantasies.

[Spartan Girl]

9 hours ago, pezgirl7 said:

I had the same thought. As servants, they weren't really in the position to do much. Maybe some of them that were closer to the boy, but the cook or the dishwasher? What could they have done?!

True, but I think the point wasn't a question if they could do anything: the point is they didn't even try. It was implied that his dad beat him (which would explain him calling Belle a fool for taking her dad's place) and even as a servant, turning away and letting it happen is almost as bad as actually doing it. Maybe his dad was even more intimidating than the Beast, who for all his jerk behavior, probably wasn't a person who could go through with starving a person. But still, standing by and doing nothing to stop it is almost as bad as the actual beating.Hence their guilt.

Anyone else notice that the enchantress had an owl in her hideaway? Harry Potter easter egg or mirror coicindence?

Speaking of HP, while Belle's reaction to the library was perfect, I couldn't help thinking that Hermione, having full access to the Hogwarts library wouldn't be easily impressed.

[Conotocarious]

11 hours ago, Nidratime said:

I know this is a fairy tale and I shouldn't look for logical answers to things, but one thing that jumped out at me was the horse and the distance. When Belle comes to rescue her father and tricks him and the Beast into letting her father go, I naturally thought the father rode the horse back to the village when he first tried to convince them to save her. However, when Belle tries to escape the first time from the castle and is attacked by wolves, the horse is there for her to ride, so her father couldn't have taken it. Did her father just walk back to the village? Or, did he send the horse back despite the fact the horse seemed very reluctant to go back there. I *get* that the castle was kind of hidden by magic, helped by perpetual winter and wolves, but were they so close the father could walk back?

I know. I know. I shouldn't look for logic in fairy tales and fantasies.

   In the animated movie, I know the Beast unceremoniously chucks him into a carriage that spouts legs and orders it to take him to the village.

[Nidratime]

Quote

In the animated movie, I know the Beast unceremoniously chucks him into a carriage that spouts legs and orders it to take him to the village.

Now, I can't remember even though I saw the movie last night ... that didn't happen in this version, did it?

[Frost]

No, the last we see is the Beast dragging off Maurice from Belle's point of view in her cell.

[pezgirl7]

17 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

It was implied that his dad beat him (which would explain him calling Belle a fool for taking her dad's place) and even as a servant, turning away and letting it happen is almost as bad as actually doing it. Maybe his dad was even more intimidating than the Beast, who for all his jerk behavior, probably wasn't a person who could go through with starving a person. But still, standing by and doing nothing to stop it is almost as bad as the actual beating.Hence their guilt.

Well I disagree with that last statement, but don't want to get into it. I didn't think that they implied that the boy was beaten by his dad. I just figured he was an uncaring father who showed no love towards his son and taught him that it was ok to be selfish and cruel towards those who they considered beneath them.

[Brn2bwild]

Somewhat off topic, but with regard to the animated version of the movie, it struck me that Gaston may have been modeled after Michael Maguire's Enjolras in Les Miserables (see video starting around 2:20).  Anyone else see it?

[TheGreenKnight]

I really loved this. Of course, I went in with the mindset that it would never be as good as the animated film and I would just enjoy it for what it is, and came out very satisfied. I thought all the characters were well-cast when they were being announced quite a while back, and I wasn't disappointed by anyone; I thought Watson, Dan Stevens, Kevin Kline, McGregor, McKellan, Thompson, Gad, McDonald, and Evans all did wonderfully. My only criticism going into the movie was the Beast's CGI face, and I didn't like it anymore after seeing the film. They definitely could've done a better job with the design. Something about the nose, particularly, made it hard to enjoy some of the character's scenes in the middle of the film. And it's a shame the story necessitated we not see much of Dan Stevens; he did a great job in the few moments we actually see him.

The castle itself was gorgeous. I liked the music overall, although of course the original absolutely blows it out of the water on this point in particular (unsurprisingly). Live-action musicals seem to rarely cast real singers for their parts, it seems, which is why I'm not judging it too harshly. And at least Audra had several moments throughout. I'm glad, too, that they brought Alan Menken back to do the score (including "Home" at two points in the film) and I loved the new songs he wrote for the film.

I'm not sure if it's as good as The Jungle Book was, as far as Disney's live-action re-makes go, but it's easily their second-best so far if nothing else.

[GHScorpiosRule]

My honorary brother took me to see this today as a surprise. And as I was actually feeling good these past couple days, I was so excited and looking forward to seeing this. I haven't read any of the comments up thread since right before the movie came out, so will post my thoughts first, and then go back to read what others thought.

I knew and didn't expect the live version to come anywhere near close to the animated version, but I was hopeful from the early teasers, that I would at least really really like it, if not love it. That didn't happen.

I've never seen any of the Harry Potter movies or anything else Emma Watson has been in, so she was a blank slate for me. I stayed away from all spoilers, sneak peeks, trailers, etc., so that I would go in with no preconceptions.

Emma was just not good for me. There was no warmth in her that made Belle such a wonderful character, and so loved by people and animals alike. Aside from the scene with the little girl she was teaching to read. She was just downright cold, hardly ever breaking a smile.

I wasn't expecting a frame by frame of the animated version come to life, but I wanted the warmth, to see how Belle taught Beast to be gentle and kind, to see them falling in love. Dan Stevens did a good job of portraying and showing me that, but sadly, Emma didn't.

There were some good things. I will say I didn't hate this movie, but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would and expected to. I'm disappointed.

Other things: Beast should have been much more massive. He's a huge....well...Beast. When he went to save Belle from the wolves, the wolves and Beast were almost the same size! And where was his famous temper? Except for once, when he said if she didn't eat with him, she wouldn't eat at all.

And LeFou has always been a brown nosing, evil little, bumbling fool, always cozying up to Gaston. To deviate from that characterization, irked me a bit.

Luke Evans was very good as the narcissistic Gaston, to be sure!

I was pleasantly surprised at the other stars in this movie that I hadn't been aware would be in it: Ewan McGregor, Kevin Kline, Stanley Tucci and Sir Ian McKellan!!! Magneto as Cogsworth!

And for the really shallow, shallow observation--that they couldn't bother to style Emma's hair when she wore that yellow dress. It was flat, hanging. I admit, I wanted to see the same style reflected in the live version that is so iconic in the much beloved animated version!

And her tearing off to back to her father in that dress, and still wearing those fugly boots? And then, when she's coming back to save the Beast, all of a sudden, she's wearing her cloak--something that was left behind at the castle and which she wasn't wearing when she was heading back to the village!

Not a fan that the villagers were also under some enchantment-that Mrs. Potts's husband was one of the men in the village, leading the charge to kill the beast and there was luvy dovey reunion. Why was he in the village when the curse happened? Or that skinny harridan, who apparently was married to...one of the other royal servants? WTF?

I'm questioning why key dialogue from the original weren't used in this movie.

And that wig that Dan Stevens wore once the curse broke, was downright horrid.

But the special effects and scenery and costuming were AMAZING. Especially for "Be Our Guest" and the effects of when Beast transforms back into the Prince.

Grande and Legend just made my ears bleed with their rendition of the song. I love Audra McDonald, but damn, her hitting those high notes in her Soprano voice of the song didn't do my ears any favors!

Emma Thompson was a DELIGHT! And I loved her take on the song.

I always, and I mean ALWAYS ugly cry during the last scenes as Beast lays dying, and Belle tells him not to talk like that, she's back, they're together now, and then brokenly says "I love you."

Not even a prickling of tears when this was done for this movie; and they left out the good, emotional words (for me) out. And I felt cheated.

So, I'm happy for y'all who loved and enjoyed it. But it was a let down for me. And emphasized even more because I just finished rewatching the animated version again just now.
 

Edited March 26, 2017 by GHScorpiosRule
Read is not the same as ready!!

[Spartan Girl]

 @GHScorpiosRule, I'm glad that you are doing better.

Lets agree to disagree about Emma though. I thought she smiled quite a bit in the "Something There" sequence. But I'm a Potterhead so maybe I'll always be a little biased. And as for why the villagers weren't in the castle at the time of the curse, I'm going to fanwank it as maybe the servants didn't initially live there pre-curse, and their families weren't attending the ball on that fateful night. Especially if the Prince was unpopular as the prologue implied.

I saw the movie for the second time this week (in Orlando!) and I still loved it just as much. I know its not going to be everyone's cup of tea (pun intended), especially when it comes to the die-hard fans of the original that never wanted a live-action version. I see their point, I really do. But I feel like even if it had been a shot for shot exact replica of the original without any tweaking at all, there would still be people that would have problems with it. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

Thanks @Spartan Girl.

And lest it sounded like I hated this, because I didn't-I did enjoy Beast's mocking and gagging over how everyone loves Romeo and Juliet, complete with him sticking his tongue out!?

But on the whole, it was disappointing for me and I really really was hoping to love it.

Oh well.

[Mom x 3]

I agree that Emma felt wooden in the beginning and all the way up past Be Our Guest. I know she was more modern and educated, but she seemed so accepting of the things she was seeing and not filled with enough wonder.  I thought she was much better the second half of the movie.  I didn't care for her singing in Belle, but thought it had improved by Something There.  

CGI beast was fine.  I wasn't expecting much - just hoping for a better quality that Jumanji, which we got.

I had never seen Luke Evans before, and while it took me a bit to see him as Gaston physically, he got the attitude down perfectly and hit the singing right out of the park.  

LeFou was played much too modern for my taste.  I felt like he belonged in another movie set much later in time.  I thought he did a good job of showing disillusionment with Gaston over time though.  I thought I had missed the "gay scene" at first, and when I finally saw it, I couldn't believe people were making such a big deal out of it.  It was literally three seconds.

Hated the wigs and whiteface, but I hate them in any movie.  At the beginning I thought I had walked into the Scarlet Pimpernel by mistake.