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