It’s a tale as old as time and a story that’s loved by young and old the world over. This weekend saw the release of Disney’s much anticipated live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. The original animated film was released way back in 1991 and has remained a cult classic ever since. The release of the new film has generated a lot of excitement and many predictions were made about whether Disney could pull it off again.
As a huge fan of the original film, I admit that I was slightly sceptical about the whole thing. I mean, is the remake ever better than the original? Surprisingly enough, this film managed to exceed my (pretty low) expectations.
Burning question: Does Emma Watson ruin Belle?
I suppose the initial question we all have is how similar this version is to the original. Let’s start with the obvious, did Emma Watson disappoint as Belle? To answer that question, no she did not! There was a lot of hype surrounding the casting of Emma Watson and how she would portray the iconic Disney princess. She wouldn’t have been my first choice for the role but in the end, she delivered a fantastic performance. Watson portrays Belle as an intelligent, courageous young woman and is incredibly likeable throughout the film. Dan Stevens is also on point with his depiction of the Beast and there’s a genuine chemistry between the two which really adds to the authenticity of their on-screen relationship.
The film also hosts a star-studded cast and sees the likes of Ewan McGregor (Lumière), Sir Ian McKellen (Cogsworth) and Emma Thompson (Mrs Potts) portray the beloved characters from the original film. My biggest criticism is probably McGregor’s attempt at a French accent but that I can forgive! The villainous duo of brutish Gaston (Luke Evans) and his bumbling sidekick Le Fou (Josh Gad) are also two of the film’s most prominent characters and, in my opinion, stole the show on many occasions.
Is Beauty and the Beast a trip or stumble down memory lane?
Despite the obvious differences between animation and live-action, the film bears many similarities to the original. Most notable similarities appear in terms of music and dialogue. You can expect to hear all your old favourite musical numbers as well as four new original songs. Disney did not stray from the original and the whole CGI aspect didn’t overpower the storyline. The cinematography was stunning. In many scenes, it felt like the original animation had literally come to life.The film also gave a more detailed background on each of the characters. This allowed us to learn more about them which really brought a new dimension to the film.
Is the remake better than the original?
Is the remake better than the original? That’s hard to say, as the original holds its own special meaning for so many Disney-lovers. However, this film stands out as one of the better remakes which have been released in recent years, such as Cinderella. Whether you’re a hardcore Disney fan or just an avid cinema-goer, this film will not disappoint and is worth a watch.
Catch Beauty and the Beast in cinemas now.
