Review of Beauty and the Beast (2017) by Sassyquatch — 11 Apr 2017

This movie provides some mildly entertaining sequences (particularly memorable being the as-to-be-expected joyful "Be Our Guest") and makes the Beauty and the Beast story feel more complete by its addition of an exposition. Beyond these slight things however, which the movie never seemed to be able to capitalize upon, the movie was truly what you could imagine in your mind to be if you were to think of a live-action remake of the Disney film. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The movie doesn't destroy the charm of the original animated film. But it doesn't really add anything either. The film is as empty of well-constructed meaning as its predecessor without the excuse of being a kid's movie. It wears its live-action clothing awkwardly, its happy ever after ending not suiting the cinematic grit of an imperfect reality. Another gripe I had with the identity problem of the film was its portrayals of the villains. As is to be expected of most Disney villains, what is truly villainous in a person is reduced to a simple character trait or singular action, the consequences of which never seem to flesh out in the story itself. LeFou suddenly becomes a good guy after he abetted a would-be murderer (LeFou suddenly becoming a good guy likely due to his altered sexuality, his newfound goodness allowing the writers to show LeFou dancing with another man at the end of the movie).

In short, this movie fails to a.) amend the naiveté of its source material, b.) carve out for itself a consistent and distinct identity, and c.) coherently tell a convincing and worthwhile story. It succeeds only in providing momentarily entertaining sequences. I'm quite sure no one will remember this movie come two years.