Beauty and The Beast (2017) movie review

I first saw Disney’s Beauty and The Beast back in my teens. It was the second fairy tale adaptation with a modern look. The first one was The Little Mermaid. Years later, It was not long ago when one of the classic Disney fairy tale adaptation, Cinderella come to life.

Unlike Cinderella, the live action adaptation of Beauty and The Beast was remained a musical. The music makes a good tribute for the late composer Howard Ashman. He died when before the release of the OST album but was able to finished Alladin’s songs. The songs for the live action version are still the same but there were changes in the lyrics. It also has three new songs by Alan Menken( who also worked with Ashman) and Tim Rice.

The movie cast also did surprise us. With exception of Ewan MacgGregor, you didn’t expect the rest can also sing. Emma Watson was not what I expect to be Belle because I think she is still younger looking than her animated counterpart. As for the Beast, I thought he was frightening than his animated counterpart but he was able to give emotions to the character just like in the animated movie. Of course you know he is expected to become a prince again. I still favor his Beastly mode than being a prince but he looks better than the prince in the original. Luke Evans as Gaston is not as hulking compared to his animated version but he carried the character well. You will hate Gaston once again just like in the animated version. Joshua Gad was a spitting image of his Lefou character but we still remember him as the voice of Olaf in Frozen.

 

Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios

What made the animated Beauty and The Beast iconic was the waltz scene of Belle and the Beast which pioneered the integration of CGI in 2D animation that made the dance hall three-dimensional. They also did the same with the movie and probably even better.

What made this movie even better was the 23% of the movie was shot with an IMAX camera. I must say that IMAX scenes really complimented the movie. Even in 3D was also good. You can almost see the snow fall right in front of you or you almost dodge things that our thrown in front of the camera.

What I never expected that the movie pulled off the “Be Our Guest” scene. In a manner, they made changes of the scene so it won’t be a carbon copy of the animated version. The humor in the movie is fun and wholesome for the whole family.

Disney continued the their feminist tradition in their heroines especially their Disney Princesses. In Belle, she was ahead of her time. She values reading not just entertainment but also a pursuit of knowledge. Hopefully, the children who watches this will learn from Belle's example because most kids spend on entertainment with their game apps instead of using their tablets on reading. It initiates using imagination.

My verdict: This movie shouldn't be missed if you want to watch it. Don't wait for it to be released in DVD or Blue-Ray or broadcast in cable TV channels. It is the best movie experience this year and it won't compliment the movie if you limit it on your television.

The movie was viewed during the Philippine premiere at IMAX Megamall last March 13, 2017. For more no-spoiler and quality movie reviews, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.