Review of Beauty and the Beast (2017) by Foxgrove — 21 Mar 2017

Whilst not as delightful as the original animated version, this at least benefits by having a director of some note and talent guiding it. The result is more than the predictable journeyman telling that so hindered 'Cinderella' a couple of years ago.

Bill Condon moves the tale along at some pace despite a rather long running time. The musical numbers are extremely well staged especially 'Be my Guest' and 'Gaston' and camera work is imaginative. Luke Evans is a revelation here as 'Gaston' and his charismatic turn more than compensates for the shortcomings of Emma Watson's Rather listless Belle.

She fails to impress either musically or dramatically. However, the film is so surprisingly entertaining and breathtakingly beautiful to look at that even her limitations can't derail the overall impact.

The score is lovely, although the new songs are not up to the standard of the original ones, and production values -Design, costumes, visual effects, make-up and sound are all on the money. The ending is a bit too cutesy, but the (controversial? get over it!) gay sidekick adds some welcome humour and is an inspired touch.