Beauty and the Beast Enchants Screens Across the Country

It’s been 26 years since Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” danced across movie screens nationwide, and on March 17, fans lined up for sold out showings of the highly anticipated, live-action remake.

The story is set in France in a small village where Belle is seen by many as an outcast. She is held captive by a prince-turned-beast, and learns to love him while he learns to love her in return. The 2017 version stars Emma Watson as Belle, and Dan Stevens as the Beast. Unlike the original animation, the bookworm does not open the movie with her title song “Belle,” written by Disney veteran Alan Meinken. Instead, viewers meet Prince Adam before he transforms into his beastly self. Viewers hear the voice of Audra McDonald, who plays Garderobe, singing a brand-new song titled, “Aria.” And this isn’t the only new song that viewers will hear in the movie.

In addition to the classics, Belle’s father, Maurice played by Kevin Klein, sings a beautiful ballad titled, “How Does a Moment Last Forever.” The staff of the palace replaces their song “Human Again” from the original classic with a new song “Days in the Sun.” In this version of the movie, the Beast also gets a solo, “Evermore,” sung as he lets Belle leave the castle to save her father. Of course, “Be Our Guest” is included and every bit as enchanting as the original version.

While the movie is mostly true to its origins, viewers should expect many differences between the 1991 animation and new film. First, there is a new character named Cadenza, who transforms into a grand piano after the transformation. Also, the enchantress, who turns Prince Adam into the beast, gets a much bigger role. Her character, later called “Agatha,” can be seen during key moments of the movie. One of the most substantial scenes she is a part of is just as the last petal of the rose falls and the curse remains. She shows up and reverses her own spell. Maurice’s character has altered his profession to become an artist instead of an inventor. Viewers should not be alarmed, as Belle has taken on this inventive role, adding on to her quirky personality.

What makes the movie longer than the 1991 version is the places where the director, Bill Condon, fills gaps that were left in the storyline. Viewers will learn about Belle’s mother, and why she isn’t mentioned in the animated version. It is also learned why the Beast has issues controlling his anger. Gaston also receives a backstory to help the audience understand his character in depth.

Beauty and the Beast lives up to the magic of Disney that fills every movie produced by the Walt Disney Company since 1928. The movie is smashing box office records and, within its first week, has produced $1.025 globally, debuted at No. 7 of all time movies in any genre, and beat out Finding Dory for top domestic film rated PG. Beauty and the Beast is now in theaters.

Published March 2017 in The Griffin Student newspaper from Chestnut Hill College.