Lots of little girls dream of being a princess and for Emma Watson that dream came true in Disney’s newest rendition of the fable “Beauty and the Beast” where she plays the beauty Belle alongside sophisticated computer animated images.
In the story, a prince is cursed by a visitor whom he treats cruelly and turned into a hideous beast. The curse affects the entire staff of the castle, transforming them into everyday items such as a clock, teapot and candelabra. The sophistication of the computer animated characters juxtaposed with the actors results in a seamless blend. It no longer seems unlikely for a live character to be talking to a teapot or to an armoire that loves to sing opera while it dresses you.
The actors are well cast. Emma Watson, of Harry Potter fame, with her expressive eyes and strong-willed personality is well-suited to play the headstrong Belle. Emma Watson herself is a women’s rights activist and a huge promoter of education for all girls. This coincides nicely with the character of Belle, who is also an avowed bookworm and a fierce advocate for her own independence. This latest portrayal of Belle reflects the feminist attitudes of today. Meanwhile, this Beast differs somewhat from its former counterpart in the 1991 animated version. In that version, the Beast is angrier, more frightening and even walks on all fours, much like a real monster. But in this latest version, the Beast seems more sensitive and human-like, and even has a sense of humor, which takes away some of his scariness. Perhaps this is meant to convey a softening of attitude towards male chauvinism and aggression.
One of the new songs – “Days in the Sun” – conveys the hope the castle’s transformed servants have that the arrival of Belle will finally lift the curse. Nathan Mack, who plays the broken teacup Chip, begins the song, and his innocent voice conveys immediate sadness to the viewer. And Audra McDonald’s powerful operatic voice, as the armoire, brings a wonderful intensity to the song. The songs, and the singers, are a reminder to the viewer of how enjoyable a good combination of music and singers can be.
Along with the new songs, such as “Evermore” and “Days in the Sun,” there is another twist to the earlier version. The character LeFou (played by Josh Gad), the evil Gaston’s loyal sidekick, is introduced as the first-ever outwardly gay character in Disney movie history. Throughout the entire movie, there were oblique references to LeFou’s sexuality, but the “gay moment” is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot in the film’s final seconds where he is dancing with a man dressed as a woman. This represents another modernization of the former version.
Overall, I give this movie 5-stars. The animation was phenomenal and the cast fully assimilate their characters, making the singing and acting a pleasure to watch. If you haven’t seen this movie, find your nearest movie theater and buy a ticket now!
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