Beauty and the Beast

I bought a ticket to see Beauty and the Beast because Emma AND I loved the animated version, and when I got there the movie gave me

Emma Watson … Belle
Dan Stevens … Beast
Luke Evans … Gaston
Josh Gad … LeFou
Kevin Kline … Maurice
Hattie Morahan … Agathe / Enchantress
Ewan McGregor … Lumière
Ian McKellen … Cogsworth
Emma Thompson … Mrs. Potts

It is an enchanting piece. all the songs and a couple new ones. Beautiful costumes and just top notch visuals. All the characters are protrayed brilliantly – how could they not be when you consider the cast?

I can see all the little girls (and any boys who want to) wearing the yellow ballgown.

I know, I know, the original tale is of a Beauty who acts monsterously and a monster who is kind, making us look at who/what is “beauty” and who/what is “monster”. This tale is about love bridging the gaps and turning what we think looks monsterous on the outside into not mattering anymore because the person inside is everything we ever hoped for. (Like if Sanza could not be a snob and see the inner goodness of Tyrion Lannister who tried his best to treat her proper and ease her suffering.)

This is a feel good movie. I was especially happy for LeFou when in the last dance he is paired with another charming man, someone who would appreciate him much more than Gaston.

le sigh. I still prefer The Beast as The Beast, I hate the tranformation thingy. Belle makes a joke about the Prince growing a beard, I would want the whole deal, horns, claws, tail….because I am drawn that way.  Let’s have everyone else transform back to humans and The Beast just doesn’t die and stays the same.