Beauty & the Beast

Have you seen Beauty & the Beast yet? I know it just came out this past weekend, but I know a bunch of people who already saw it – myself included! I just couldn’t wait so I had to go after work on Friday. If you follow me on Instagram then you might already know that I absolutely loved the movie.

I had high expectations for this movie and I am happy to report that not only did the movie meet my expectations but exceeded them. I loved that the movie had the basis of the original animated movie, but fleshed out the characters and background stories more. I really enjoyed the fact that they developed the story more because it gave the whole movie and all the characters more depth.

First off, the cast was stellar. This was a great choice for Emma Watson. She was dazzling as Belle. She was the perfect mix of refined, kind, independent, and intelligent. The character of Belle was already a smart and independent character, but Emma brought even more to the role. She made Belle even more her own person with her own thoughts. In this live-action version, Belle is not just an assistant to her inventor father, but an inventor in her own right. In the beginning of the movie, we see her doing calculations to create her own washing machine contraption.

Dan Stevens as the Beast was a great choice. I loved the banter between him and Belle. It was really entertaining to watch their relationship grow and it was awesome to see how Belle could have intelligent conversations with him about the world and literature.

The rest of the cast was amazing as well. Kevin Klein played a great Maurice and I love that they portrayed him as just different than the other villagers but not “crazy” weird. Luke Evans and Josh Gad as Gaston and Le Fou were spot on. Who knew Luke Evans could sing so well?! The enchanted items had great voices like Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Ian McKellan as Cogsworth, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts and many more famous voices.

All the singing was beautiful. I loved all the renditions of the famous Beauty & the Beast songs and there were a few new songs as well. Sometimes when they add new songs to musicals I don’t like them. Partly because I don’t know the words and partly because I don’t think they’re necessary or that great. But that was not the case with this movie. I actually really like all the new songs!

The entire movie was just beautiful and magical. Truly! The sets were gorgeous and the attention to detail was exquisite. The cinematography was amazing. I’m so happy that the film broke all kinds of box office records because I wholeheartedly think it deserves it all! I saw a tweet from Luke Evans the other day after it was official that the movie had broken a bunch of records where he said something like “Beauty of a film, beast at the box office!” I love the play on words, plus it’s so true!

Did anyone else get emotional when Belle looked down at her village from the beautiful field in the hills, the music swelled and she sang the part of “Belle” that goes,

“I want adventure in the great, wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell. And for once it might be grand, to have someone understand. I want so much more than they’ve got planned.”

Please say it wasn’t just me!

I could go on and on gushing about how much I loved this movie and every single one of the characters especially Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as Beast. The movie gave me chills throughout! Seriously, all the feels. Until I’m able to see it again (and I’m definitely buying the DVD because I want to see all the behind the scenes stuff!), I’ll just have to make do with listening to the soundtrack!

And if you need further convincing to see the movie or if you’re like me and just can’t get enough of the film – here’s one of the trailers!