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“Beauty and the Beast” (2017) is Disney’s live-action adaptation of its beloved 1991 animated classic, directed by Bill Condon. The film stars Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, and features a stellar supporting cast, including Luke Evans as Gaston, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Josh Gad as LeFou, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts. With its enchanting visuals, updated character development, and musical numbers, the film is a faithful retelling of the classic fairy tale, infused with new elements that expand on the story.

Plot Overview

The story is set in a small French village where Belle lives with her father, Maurice. Belle is an independent and intelligent young woman, known for her love of books and her desire for more than the provincial life the village offers. When Maurice gets lost in the forest and is imprisoned by the Beast, Belle offers to take his place, becoming the Beast’s captive in his enchanted castle.

As Belle begins to interact with the Beast, she learns that beneath his frightening exterior is a kind and gentle soul. Over time, they grow closer, with Belle helping the Beast rediscover his humanity. Unbeknownst to her, the Beast is under a curse, which transformed him and his servants into enchanted objects. The curse can only be broken if the Beast learns to love and be loved in return before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls.

Meanwhile, the arrogant and selfish Gaston becomes obsessed with marrying Belle and hatches a plan to eliminate the Beast and claim her for himself. The film builds to a climactic battle at the Beast’s castle, where the true nature of love, sacrifice, and redemption is revealed.

Key Characters

• Belle (Emma Watson): Belle is portrayed as a strong-willed, independent woman who values knowledge and kindness. Emma Watson’s Belle is more assertive than her animated counterpart, with a focus on her intelligence and inventiveness. She challenges the Beast’s temper and shows courage in standing up to both Gaston and the villagers.
• The Beast (Dan Stevens): The Beast is a prince cursed to live in a monstrous form due to his selfishness and arrogance. His journey from isolation and anger to vulnerability and love is central to the story. Dan Stevens’ performance adds layers of emotion to the Beast’s character, making his transformation both internal and external.
• Gaston (Luke Evans): Gaston is the handsome but vain and egotistical villain of the story, obsessed with Belle. Luke Evans brings a theatrical flair to the role, capturing Gaston’s charm and arrogance while also revealing a more menacing side as the film progresses.
• LeFou (Josh Gad): LeFou is Gaston’s loyal but bumbling sidekick. Josh Gad adds humor and depth to the character, transforming LeFou into a more sympathetic figure who questions Gaston’s actions as the story unfolds.
• Maurice (Kevin Kline): Belle’s father, Maurice, is depicted as a kind and loving inventor who is deeply protective of his daughter. His relationship with Belle is tender and forms the emotional backbone of her motivations.
• The Enchanted Objects: The Beast’s castle is populated by his cursed servants, including Lumière (Ewan McGregor), Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), and Chip (Nathan Mack). These characters add warmth and humor to the story, and their fates are tied to the Beast’s ability to break the curse.

Themes

• Love and Redemption: At its heart, Beauty and the Beast is a story about the transformative power of love. The Beast’s redemption hinges on his ability to overcome his selfishness and cruelty and learn to love someone else selflessly. Belle’s love helps him realize his humanity, breaking the curse.
• Appearances vs. Reality: A central theme of the story is the idea that true beauty comes from within. Both Belle and the Beast must look beyond surface appearances to see the person underneath. This theme is reinforced through the contrast between the Beast’s monstrous exterior and his eventual kindness, as well as Gaston’s handsome appearance masking his cruelty.
• Courage and Self-Discovery: Belle’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to embrace her inner strength and stand up for what she believes in. The Beast also embarks on a journey of self-reflection, learning humility and empathy through his interactions with Belle.

Visuals and Production Design

The 2017 adaptation of Beauty and the Beast is renowned for its stunning visual effects and production design. The Beast’s castle is brought to life with rich detail, blending Gothic and Baroque influences to create an enchanted, yet eerie, atmosphere. The enchanted objects, such as Lumière and Cogsworth, are beautifully animated, combining CGI with practical effects to create lifelike characters.

The costume design is also a standout, particularly Belle’s iconic yellow ballgown, which Emma Watson wears in the film’s central dance sequence. The cinematography captures the magic and grandeur of the story, with sweeping shots of the castle and vibrant, colorful scenes during the musical numbers.

Music

The film retains much of the beloved music from the original animated movie, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman. Classic songs like “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and “Beauty and the Beast” are reimagined for the live-action film, with Emma Watson and Dan Stevens providing their own vocals.

In addition to the original songs, the film introduces new music by Alan Menken and Tim Rice, including “Evermore,” a ballad sung by the Beast after Belle leaves the castle. The music enhances the emotional depth of the film and adds to its timeless, fairy-tale charm.

Reception

Beauty and the Beast (2017) was a commercial success, grossing over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It was praised for its visual effects, performances, and faithful adaptation of the animated classic. Emma Watson’s portrayal of Belle received positive reviews for her modern take on the character, while Dan Stevens’ performance as the Beast was also well-received.

Critics highlighted the film’s ability to retain the magic of the original while updating certain elements to appeal to contemporary audiences. However, some felt that the film was too similar to the animated version, offering few new surprises.

Conclusion

Beauty and the Beast (2017) is a visually enchanting and emotionally resonant retelling of one of Disney’s most beloved stories. With a strong cast, stunning visuals, and a mix of classic and new musical numbers, the film successfully captures the magic and timelessness of the original while adding a fresh layer of depth to its characters and themes. It remains a standout in Disney’s line of live-action adaptations.