Beauty and the Beast Review
Disney’s live version of Beauty and the Beast comes to theaters on March 17th. I have been waiting for this movie for what feels like my whole life, so needless to say I had high expectations. Beauty and the Beast was everything I wanted it to be and everything I needed it to be. It was perfect.
OK maybe perfect is a strong word, but I did leave the movie feeling a strong sense of magic in the air. The audience applauded not only at the end of the film, but also a few times throughout. As the theater emptied people began dancing. I don’t mean that one person started dancing and others followed, but rather clusters of people unbeknownst to each other were dancing. It’s a testament to the feeling the film leaves you with at its conclusion.
There was more plot and more dimension to the characters this time. I felt like I knew them better, like I had learned secrets about old friends which cast new light on their behavior. I’d be lying if I said I loved the new songs. I didn’t really. I don’t know if it’s because they were different or because they just weren’t as good, but they did act like water filling in the cracks of the story as it flowed to its glorious ending.
The cast was spectacular, from Emma Watson to Emma Thompson, every person cast seemed like the only choice possible for that character. Because it was live action, it also felt like the stakes were higher. Cartoon versions of characters can be thrown from a horse being chased by wolves and escape unscathed, but watching Kevin Kline in that same predicament is a nail biting experience.
I saw the film in IMAX 3D, but I am not sure that it is necessary. I do recommend seeing the movie in the theater as soon as possible because I wouldn’t want you to go one more day without this movie in your life.
