By Camille Yost
Disney’s animated classic, “Beauty and the Beast,” was transformed into a live action film that released on March 17, 2017. This film, rated a 7.9/10 on IMDB, has hauled in 462 million dollars worldwide. “Beauty and the Beast” has surpassed the 201 million brought in by the live action “Cinderella”, released in 2015. The cast members include Belle, fittingly portrayed by Emma Watson, a self-proclaimed women’s rights activist, Dan Stevens as Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, and Josh Gad as LeFou.
Critics are raving about the film. “It looks good, moves gracefully and leaves a clean and invigorating aftertaste. I almost didn’t recognize the flavor: I think the name for it is joy,” says A.O. Scott, NY Times.
“The tale may be as old as time, but it’s retold with freshness, brio and flair,” Nick de Semlyen from Empire states.
Contrary to popular belief, the script remains untouched. Belle (Emma Watson), is a bright young woman who longs to venture away from her small hometown in France and get away from Gaston (Luke Evans) and his sidekick LeFou (Josh Gad). Her father takes a wrong turn after leaving home and comes across a castle. Terrified of the lively objects, Cogsworth, Lumiére, Mrs. Potts and Chip, he runs out of the castle. Remembering the rose that he had promised Belle, he snatches one from the garden where he is then confronted by the Beast (Dan Stevens) and taken as a prisoner. Belle comes to the rescue and trades herself for her father. Instead of being kept as a prisoner, she is given a room and invited for dinner because she is believed to be the woman who would break the curse and set the Beast and the servants free. Over time, her and the Beast form a friendship, fall in love, and the curse is abolished.
Although the 2017 live action film differs from the 1991 animated film in the sense that the audience learns more about Belle’s mother and that Belle is the inventor instead of her father, they are both classic films that share the values of independence, intelligence, strength and compassion in women. Belle is a great role model for girls of all ages because she teaches girls to be driven and set goals for their own future. Also. she teaches girls to be kind, compassionate, and to look for the best people, no matter who they are. She teaches people to see the beauty within a beast. This movie is perfect for people of all ages and you can click here for showtimes.