I went and saw it because I grew up liking the animated one, and wanted to know if this one stood up to it since Disney has evolved technologically since then. I also wanted to know if all the controversy and early praise are misleading to how the film really is. So without further ado...
I. My Rating:
I rank the classic a 9/10 because it was one of those Disney Renaissance films (pretty much anything from The Little Mermaid to Hercules time frame) that revolutionized animation and story telling in Disney films. I didnt expect the remake to be a 9/10 type movie, but I expected it to be a good solid movie. But.... it sucked. I give it a 4/10.
Im going into why I feel my ranking is what it is with the assumption that pretty much everybody has seen the original. Because there arent that many spoilers I could spoil if you have seen the original. The only spoiler Im going to kinda give is the changes with Gaston,and the gay controversy. Otherwise Im going to touch generally on what went right and wrong in the Remake, and leave any big spoilers that are new out.
II. The Gay Controversy:
Since this has been such a huge talking point the last month, I guess Ill start with it. If you havent heard Disney has officially made the character Lefou the first openly gay character in a Disney movie. Lefou is Gaston's lackey that follows him around throughout the movie. If the character didnt offend you in the original, then he isnt going to offend you here. He is the same as he was in the original. I think Disney only released the gay information to have people talking in case the movie bombed after the opening weekend.
III The Good
The Beast, house servants, Kevin Kline, and Emma were all on point when they were on scene together. Also some story arc they added surrounding the spell, Belle's past, and the relationship between the castle and the town were really cool. You can see the potential.
IV The Bad
I guess Ill start in the order of my chief complaints
a) Gaston
In the original Gaston is portrayed as the manliest of men in that he was strong, charismatic, courageous, and good looking. Disney basically made him into the typical hero type character. But they threw us a curveball by him being incapable of getting the girl. Basically he wouldve been the hero in every other disney film. But compare the animated one to the Luke Evans one, and you could probably see some of the problems off the bat.
Luke Evans wears a coat throughout the whole movie to make him appear large. But then they change him from being a jealous jock to being a ruthless cold blooded killer with PTSD. Usually Im all for this change, but it feels totally weird and off base from the tone of the movie.
b) songs,songs , and more songs
Ok I get it, Disney loves songs. They did in the original, but they throw songs in for just song's sake in this one. Had they marketed this as a musical, and added 4 more songs then it wouldve made way more sense, but its like everytime they need a transition to another scene, or they just feel that it has been 5 minutes since the last song, here comes another song. This is a 2hr and 9 minute movie.
c) pacing
It is very hard to pay attention in this film because it goes at a break neck speed, but still feels longer than it actually is.
d) political messages
No Im not referring to the gay non issue, Im referring to them beating 2 certain points across your head everytime they have a chance. Those points really take away from the movie at times.
V Who is this movie for?
I would say if the original is very dear to you and a disappointment here might ruin your childhood then avoid this like the plague. If you just want something for you kids to watch and you can watch without getting too bored while watching it with them then this is bearable. Just note they have some minor cuss words in it. But I dont think this is a must see movie like some critics and media or portraying it as.
I. My Rating:
I rank the classic a 9/10 because it was one of those Disney Renaissance films (pretty much anything from The Little Mermaid to Hercules time frame) that revolutionized animation and story telling in Disney films. I didnt expect the remake to be a 9/10 type movie, but I expected it to be a good solid movie. But.... it sucked. I give it a 4/10.
Im going into why I feel my ranking is what it is with the assumption that pretty much everybody has seen the original. Because there arent that many spoilers I could spoil if you have seen the original. The only spoiler Im going to kinda give is the changes with Gaston,and the gay controversy. Otherwise Im going to touch generally on what went right and wrong in the Remake, and leave any big spoilers that are new out.
II. The Gay Controversy:
Since this has been such a huge talking point the last month, I guess Ill start with it. If you havent heard Disney has officially made the character Lefou the first openly gay character in a Disney movie. Lefou is Gaston's lackey that follows him around throughout the movie. If the character didnt offend you in the original, then he isnt going to offend you here. He is the same as he was in the original. I think Disney only released the gay information to have people talking in case the movie bombed after the opening weekend.
III The Good
The Beast, house servants, Kevin Kline, and Emma were all on point when they were on scene together. Also some story arc they added surrounding the spell, Belle's past, and the relationship between the castle and the town were really cool. You can see the potential.
IV The Bad
I guess Ill start in the order of my chief complaints
a) Gaston
In the original Gaston is portrayed as the manliest of men in that he was strong, charismatic, courageous, and good looking. Disney basically made him into the typical hero type character. But they threw us a curveball by him being incapable of getting the girl. Basically he wouldve been the hero in every other disney film. But compare the animated one to the Luke Evans one, and you could probably see some of the problems off the bat.
Luke Evans wears a coat throughout the whole movie to make him appear large. But then they change him from being a jealous jock to being a ruthless cold blooded killer with PTSD. Usually Im all for this change, but it feels totally weird and off base from the tone of the movie.
b) songs,songs , and more songs
Ok I get it, Disney loves songs. They did in the original, but they throw songs in for just song's sake in this one. Had they marketed this as a musical, and added 4 more songs then it wouldve made way more sense, but its like everytime they need a transition to another scene, or they just feel that it has been 5 minutes since the last song, here comes another song. This is a 2hr and 9 minute movie.
c) pacing
It is very hard to pay attention in this film because it goes at a break neck speed, but still feels longer than it actually is.
d) political messages
No Im not referring to the gay non issue, Im referring to them beating 2 certain points across your head everytime they have a chance. Those points really take away from the movie at times.
V Who is this movie for?
I would say if the original is very dear to you and a disappointment here might ruin your childhood then avoid this like the plague. If you just want something for you kids to watch and you can watch without getting too bored while watching it with them then this is bearable. Just note they have some minor cuss words in it. But I dont think this is a must see movie like some critics and media or portraying it as.
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