In the midst of Disney’s latest trend of reinvention of its animated properties into live action recreations (Cinderella, The Jungle Book) and reimaginings (Maleficent) comes its most ambitious and invigorating effort yet, Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast.
The Production: 4/5
In the midst of Disney’s latest trend of reinvention of its animated properties into live action recreations (Cinderella, The Jungle Book) and reimaginings (Maleficent) comes its most ambitious and invigorating effort yet, Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast. With all of the beats from the 1991 animated musical classic lovingly recreated in astoundingly elaborate detail with some further development and presentation of backstories for our two title characters, Beauty and the Beast might not quite emerge with its own unique personality, but it can certainly stand tall and proud next to its celebrated, Oscar-winning predecessor.
Belle (Emma Watson), the lovely, well-read, and determined daughter of town inventor Maurice (Kevin Kline), dreams of a more fanciful and exciting life than merely being stuck in a provincial French village scoffed at by townsfolk about her unique world view and pursued by the area’s boorish war hero Gaston (Luke Evans). When her father is taken prisoner for trespassing by an angry Beast (Dan Stevens) whose castle and person are under a spell of enchantment until he can earn and give love selflessly, Belle volunteers to take his place as the castle prisoner. Once there, she meets and is charmed by the castle’s residents, all humans transformed into objects who still run the household: Lumière (Ewan McGregor), Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), and Madame Garderobe (Audra McDonald), all of whom are anxious for Belle to help them and their master regain their humanity. As she spends more time there, she comes to see the hidden qualities of courage and loyalty buried beneath his hideous exterior but is unaware that her father has alerted the villagers about the existence of the Beast and his castle, and they’re riled and ready to storm its turrets and release the captive girl.
Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos have, like their predecessor Linda Woolverton for the animated film, used the parts of the 1756 tale by Mme. LePrince de Beaumont that suit their purposes but have expanded the tale to show us an explanation for Belle’s being motherless and to let us see in the flesh the Prince’s early years (the new song “Day in the Sun”) and how he and his belongings came to be cursed (covered in the animated feature in a briefly narrated stained glass prologue, these additions accounting for this film’s running time of slightly over two hours compared to the animated story’s tidy 84 minutes). All of the musical numbers from the original animated film are here, and their recreations in live action (and, naturally, extensive CG) do not disappoint. The showstopping “Be Our Guest” is, if anything, even more elaborate than in the 1991 original, and the rousing “Gaston” takes on a greater verve as its title character is allowed to do some swashbuckling in reliving his glory days on the battlefield. The haunting title song is still used to accompany the love-fueled waltz between the title characters even if it has a slightly less affecting result due to Emma Thompson’s less worldly wise singing voice compared to that of the exquisite Angela Lansbury. The Beast is also given a powerful new song “Evermore” sung in anguish after releasing Belle from his deal with her and by far the best addition of the piece’s new songs. Director Bill Condon, no stranger to musicals after helming the galvanizing film version of Dreamgirls, begins the movie with a swirling white ball sequence that’s an eye-filling spectacle and handles all of the musical numbers like “Belle” and “Gaston” which require interaction between characters rather than just straight singing with ease and aplomb (and with far less cutting than is present in today’s movie musicals), and scenes which mix live action and CG characters (the wolf attacks, “Be Our Guest,” all of the Beast scenes) are done so dexterously than one doesn’t even think about the combination of effects and live action.
Emma Watson has a sweet, pure, if slightly small singing voice, able to handle the score without the great surging singing chops of a stage musical veteran. Dan Stevens certainly has had his voice digitally manipulated to get more guttural sounds for the Beast, but the singing is, like Watson, handled carefully and on point. Emma Thompson offers warmth and feeling as Mrs. Potts, and Ewan McGregor and Ian McKellen have a fun camaraderie as the candlestick and clock. Luke Evans offers a rousing singing voice in Gaston’s numbers and acts the part of the egotistical jerk who turns into a special kind of monster quite beautifully. As Gaston’s lackey LeFou, Josh Gad is priceless and far more emotionally developed than his cartoon counterpart, and Kevin Kline makes a loving and desperate father for Belle. Nathan Mack is a fun-loving Chip, Audra McDonald has soprano to spare as the enthusiastic Madame Garderobe, and Hattie Morahan pops up here and there as the Enchantress and the townswoman Agathe.
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
The original theatrical 2.40:1 aspect ratio is faithfully delivered in a stunning looking 1080p transfer using the AVC codec. Sharpness is reference quality revealing intricate details in facial features, hair, clothes, and props. Color is wonderfully saturated without ever going into cartoonish hues, and skin tones on the human beings are believable and appealing. Contrast has been consistently applied to produce such striking clarity, and black levels couldn’t be bettered. The movie has been divided into 24 chapters.
Audio: 5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound mix offers the kind of reference quality sound design that top flight productions today can attain. Dialogue is mostly in the center channel though there is some sporadic directionalized dialogue. The superb songs and orchestral background score get the full surround treatment in the fronts and rears to thrilling effect especially when the chorus wells up all around the listener enveloping him in a wall of sound. Split atmospheric effects abound in the mix with occasional panning when appropriate (the wolf attack, for instance).
Special Features: 4/5
Enchanted Table Read (13:31, HD): the cast assembles for a read-through of the script with some surprise performances of three numbers: “Gaston,” “Be Our Guest,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
A Beauty of a Tale (27:08, HD): various members of the cast and crew comment on the production process, the rehearsal process for the production numbers, the 1,700 effects shots in the movie, and the new songs used in the picture. Among those commenting are director Bill Condon, producers David Hoberman and Steve Gaub, production designer Sarah Greenwood, composer Alan Menken, and actors Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson.
The Women Behind Beauty and the Beast (5:17, HD): Emma Watson introduces five women who had instrumental roles to play in the crafting of the picture: production designer Sarah Greenwood, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, film editor Virginia Katz, set decorator Katie Spencer, and casting director Lucy Bevan.
From Song to Screen (13:26, HD): discussions on the production of the four major song sequences: “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” “Beauty and the Beast.” Speaking are director Bill Condon, production designer Sarah Greenwood, producer Steve Gaub, lighting designers Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, and choreographer Anthony van Laast.
Extended Song: “Days in the Sun” (4:08, HD): the complete original version of the song cut from the film for reasons explained by director Bill Condon.
Deleted Scenes (6:23, HD): eight scenes introduced by director Bill Condon. They can be watched together or separately.
Making a Moment with Celine Dion (3:24, HD): the Grammy-winning recording star explains her original involvement with the film and her difficult decision about being a part of the new version.
“Beauty and the Beast” Music Video (4:02, HD): Ariana Grande and John Legend’s new version of the title song.
The Making of the Music Video (2:07, HD): Aniana Grande and John Legend each speak on the pleasure of working on this new video.
Song Selection (33:09, HD): twelve song selections in the film can be gone to immediately with provided sing-along lyrics: individually or together in one sitting.
Promo Trailers (HD): Cars 3, Descendants 2
DVD/Digital Copy: code sheet and disc enclosed in the case.
Overall: 4/5
A joyously produced and directed movie of one of Disney’s most beloved animation classics, Beauty and the Beast is an entertaining and invigorating musical treat enhanced by reference quality picture and sound. Highly recommended!
Matt has been reviewing films and television professionally since 1974 and has been a member of Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2007, his reviews now numbering close to three thousand. During those years, he has also been a junior and senior high school English teacher earning numerous entries into Who’s Who Among America’s Educators and spent many years treading the community theater boards as an actor in everything from Agatha Christie mysteries to Stephen Sondheim musicals.
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