Movie Review – Beauty and The Beast (live action version)

I saw the movie with a Disney fan, and she was really impressed with this rendition of Beauty and the Beast. The theater was packed (with several showings sold out), and at least four women attended in formal ball gowns. People applauded at the movie’s end.

I was expecting more, though. More spectacle, more rousing musical numbers, and a better connection to the characters. I’m not sure why I didn’t enjoy this more. It was pretty enough, but nothing to get worked up about. The visuals were kind of dark, the pacing plodded, and I thought the acting was better in the animated version. I love Emma Watson, but she really had to carry this entire film, and I don’t think she was up to the task. Maybe it was a problem with the direction. Hard to say. The titular Beast was a no-show in the charm department, and the guest starring household appliances were essentially props. (Pity – normally actors like Ian McKellan and Stanley Tucci can do a lot with a little.)

Even the effects underwhelmed. The big musical numbers – Be Our Guest, Beauty and The Beast – didn’t hit the full marks I’d anticipated. Things just fell a little short of what they should have been.

The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App

The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.

As seen on

Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)

     

Read more about the RunPee app.

I think many people were happy because of what I can call the Disney Effect. I’ve noticed people get really excited about new “princess” films, in the way that I get about science fiction movies. It’s clearly a ‘thing’, and my sense is people were super relieved that the live action outing of B&tB didn’t suck. 😉

Since the target audience seemed pleased, I’ll give the film a solid B. In comparison, I’d give the animated variant an A. That one really hit it out of the ballpark, setting a high bar for Disney Princess films…this one was just sort of there. I hope the live action Little Mermaid film does it better.

Grade: B

Rewatch Review – Disney’s Animated Aladdin (1992) – A Classic Film with Deeply Modern Flaws

What people are saying
about the RunPee app.

A Google user

November 19, 2019

Love love love this app. And, after receiving an email from Dan (the creator) that read as though it was a one-on-one communication sent only to me, I felt compelled to leave a long-overdue review. My son and I are absolutely addicted to this app…especially since I discovered it at the onset of the Marvel craze. Now we use it to confirm if there is a scene following the credits. Often times, we are the ONLY ones there watching the bonus scene…and it cracks us up. LOL! Thanks, RunPee!

View all reviews: Apple App Store | Google Play Store

     

The Lion King – Rewatch Review of the Animated Classic

Rewatch Review – Disney’s Animated Aladdin (1992) – A Classic Film with Deeply Modern Flaws

Jill Florio

Co-Creator of RunPee, Chief of Operations, Content Director, and Managing Editor. RunPee Jilly likes galaxy-spanning sci fi, superhero sagas, fantasy films, YA dystopians, action thrillers, chick flicks, and zany comedies, in that order…and possesses an inspiringly small bladder. In fact, that little bladder sparked the creation of RunPee. (Good thing she’s learned to hold it.)