I don't claim to be much of a movie expert. I have a degree in theatre, but that's about it. I know what I like about movies and what I how I want them effect me, and I cannot claim that the things that move my emotions will move everyone the same way. We are all individuals and our past perceptions will affect how we see the world. Now, All that being said, I would like to take a few minutes to talk about Beauty and the Beast.
I was not a child when I saw the animated version of the film. I was a full grown adult and had kids of my own when the animated version debuted 1991. The animated Beauty and the Beast came out during what I consider the second Golden Age of Disney film making. This delightful movie came out during the same era as the Little Mermaid, The Lion king and Aladdin. All of these films are, in my eyes, some of the best animation available. So, it was with a great deal of enthusiasm and no little trepidation came over me when I heard that Disney was making a live action version of this classic tale. When the movie came out the reviews were good, but not spectacular like I had expected. Instead of having my expectations ruined by a sub par movie. I chose to wait until we could get the movie from our local Library. (My wife is the Tech Team Leader there and we get the Blu-rays very soon after they come out). While I'm sure most of you have already seen the live action Beauty and the Beast, I saw the movie last night.
I will start by saying that I entered into my viewing experience with a much more open mind having had a few more months to consider the movie. I did my best to try to accept the move for what it was and not prejudge it Agaist the animated version. This was an almost impossible tasks. Yet, within minutes of starting the film, I was feeling the same emotions I felt with the animated film. The Beasts back story was better in the live action film and to my pleasant surprise Emma Watson can sing. I teared up with the first notes of Bon Jour and almost sang out loud the words to Be Our Guest both beautifully rendered by the Live Action Cast. The new songs were also delightful making the music one of the Highlights of the movie.
I was also very fond of how beautiful everything in the move was. The sets were spectacular and perfectly provided a place and time for the magic of the movie. The CG characters were wonderful. Cogsworth and Lumiere were gorgeous and I was especially taken with the interplay between Lumiere and his Feather duster. It was wonderful stuff. All the occupents of the castle where wonderfully rendered and fit in with the story. They all looked like the belonged in the world that the director was creating for us.
I don't know if anyone noticed but The Beast and Belles lives where very much in parallel. Both lost their mothers at an early age, and both were products of their surviving parents. Belle was compassionate and Inquisitive like her father. The Beast was arrogant and quick to anger like his father. I love that the live action movie spent time talking about the influence of the Beasts mother and how she had sewn the seeds of goodness in the beasts heart. Even though the Beast only spent a few years with his mother, I believe she was mostly responsible for the Beast finding love and compassion enough to let Belle go back to his father. Speaking of Belles Father, My son said, and I might have to agree with him, that Keven Kline was too good for this movie. I thought he played belles father perfectly.
I did have a minor issue with the film. The Black Death was during 14th Century. Shakespeare wrote his stuff in the 17th century. Belle's Mother died of the Plague and later Belle and the beast both quote Romeo and Juliette. Hmmmm. Oh well, its a minor thing and that I can forgive.
At the end of the day, I don't think live action movie was quite as good as the animated movie. I freely admit that I could be a little prejudiced against the live action move from the outset. But I still enjoyed it. I felt in many ways the live action movie explored the characters to greater depth. The animated Beauty and the Beast was such a wonderful magical surprise that the Live action movie couldn't compete against. If you haven't seen it. Get the blu ray however you can. Buy it. Rent it or borrow it from your local library. It is well worth seeing.
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