Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Wasn’t everyone looking forward to seeing the real people version of Beauty and the Beast? It was perfectly cast, with an actress who became famous for portraying an intelligent, feminist icon and who was actually a feminist icon who loved reading in real life, one of the most memorable faces from the hit tv show Downton Abbey, and a host of stars making up the highly coveted supporting roles. The special effects were touted, as were the promises that everything would look exactly like the cartoon—and yes, we all looked the other way and didn’t mention the argument that if everything was going to be exactly the same, it didn’t need to be made. Unfortunately, almost everyone who saw this movie was disappointed, and I was no exception. It did make for a fun parlor game afterwards: my family and I made a list of all the negative changes the 2017 version made to the 1991 original. We came up with 66.
As fun as it would be to list them all, I’m not going to. You can rent it and make your own list with your friends or family. Plus, I don’t like to be mean during my reviews, and I think I’ve been mean enough already. Obviously I recommend renting this real people adaptation, because it’ll provide so much stimulating conversation afterwards, but try not to take it so personally. The vast majority of remakes try to put their own spin on the original; otherwise why remake it, right? Nobody is out to upset you with this movie: it’s just not very good. But you will get to see some great special effects, and tons of familiar faces you know and love from other movies.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie will not be your friend. During the “Beauty and the Beast” dance number the camera swirls a bit, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, the Beast is significantly scarier than in the cartoon, and he might scare your children, so I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Kevin Kline movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Robin McKinley's novel Beauty here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1976 film Beauty and the Beast here!
As fun as it would be to list them all, I’m not going to. You can rent it and make your own list with your friends or family. Plus, I don’t like to be mean during my reviews, and I think I’ve been mean enough already. Obviously I recommend renting this real people adaptation, because it’ll provide so much stimulating conversation afterwards, but try not to take it so personally. The vast majority of remakes try to put their own spin on the original; otherwise why remake it, right? Nobody is out to upset you with this movie: it’s just not very good. But you will get to see some great special effects, and tons of familiar faces you know and love from other movies.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie will not be your friend. During the “Beauty and the Beast” dance number the camera swirls a bit, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, the Beast is significantly scarier than in the cartoon, and he might scare your children, so I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
More Kevin Kline movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Robin McKinley's novel Beauty here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1976 film Beauty and the Beast here!