When Walt Disney Pictures released the original animated "Beauty and the Beast" in 1991, the House of Mouse presented a true "Tale as old as time, Song as old as rhyme" adaptation of the classic fairytale that's been loved by generations of viewers across the globe. When news arrived from Hollywood that Disney was planning to remake the story in live-action following the successes of "Maleficent" and "Cinderella", many were both excited and skeptical at the prospect of bringing this magnificent masterpiece to the "real world" and casting people who would play the same characters featured in the animated version and living up to its musical and romantic fantasy roots.
All those concerns can be put to rest, as the 2017 live-action "Beauty and the Beast" film has finally hit theaters worldwide to resounding success for fans new and old. Starring Harry Potter films star Emma Watson as that book reading beauty Belle and Dan Stevens as the cursed prince turned into a Beast, the film follows the same beats as its 1991 animated movie predecessor, but adds a bit of backstory and musical numbers to give it a fresh presentation for anyone looking to compare and relive the experience.
Thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines I was able to see the movie last week in IMAX 3D, and with some friends dressed as the stars of the tale and a number of nostalgic fans and newcomers, we were treated to one of the most beloved stories retold using some of the best talents and special effects Hollywood has to offer. Here's my review for "Beauty and the Beast".
Movie: Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Release Date: March 17, 2017 (US), March 16, 2017 (Philippines)
Released by: Walt Disney Studios Philippines
Directed by "Gods and Monsters" and "The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 and 2" director Bill Condon, the live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast presents a number of similarities to its source material - both the 1991 animated film and the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont - in that it blends the magic of the Disney charm along with rich storytelling and powerful casting by giving us faces behind the simple folk and cursed people that play parts in the tale. Dan Stevens plays the egotistical and very handsome prince, who ends up damning himself and his servants in his huge castle for turning away an old lady revealed to be an enchantress in disguise. As punishment for his selfish ways, he is transformed into a Beast and the rest of his household into a into equipment and furniture. The only way to break the spell is for the prince to learn to love another, and for her to return that love - before the rose he damned loses its last petal and everything around him remains as it is.
Years later, audiences are introduced to Belle - a pretty young lady from the village called Villeneuve who is labeled "different" because she enjoys books and dreams of being in elsewhere. Her father is Maurice - an inventor who is especially protective of his daughter and makes a living through his craft by traveling through markets to sell and tinker with things. Unfortunately a nasty storm and attack by wolves makes Maurice and the family horse Philipe travel through the strange maze of the forest and chance upon the discovery of the cursed castle where the Beast lives in. Seeking shelter and getting hospitable treatment from the servants led by Lumiere, Maurice is imprisoned by the Beast after he picks a rose from his garden to give back to his daughter.
When Philippe arrives back without Maurice, Belle rushes to the castle and decides to take his place. Maurice's desperation to save his daughter gets the attention of the egotistical Gaston, who wants to merry Belle simply because she has caught his eye. Meanwhile Belle and the Beast get to know each other in a very rocky manner despite encouragement from the servants that "She is the one" who will break the spell. It takes an attack from the wolves during Belle's escape attempt and Beast's injuries saving her to bring the two together. From there the cursed prince learns to love the girl who dreams of a bigger life, and she finds a man who grew up spoiled and selfish yet actually has a pure heart inside of him.
Very much like its animated counterpart, Beauty and the Beast will warm the hearts of kids and adults alike and holds true to its source material by telling a story where love blooms over tragic circumstances and ugly appearances. The cast choices of Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor, Ian Mckellen, and Emma Thompson are just wonderful to see, and there are added parts too that give deeper meaning and backstory to Belle and the Beast's respective childhoods. The entry gives more reason to see more Disney films getting the live-action treatment, and while it's similar in content and won't replace the original - it is also certainly different and unique in its own way to make it a great family friendly film for all to see.
Beauty and the Beast is now showing in theaters courtesy of Walt Disney Studios PH.
Rating - 4/5
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