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1. Spectra Film Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST....................................................................................... 1

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Documento 1 de 1

Spectra Film Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Autor: Adams, Nate

Informacin de publicacin: University Wire ; Carlsbad [Carlsbad]18 Mar 2017.

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Enlaces: Linking Service

Texto completo: Publication: Siena Heights Spectra, Siena Heights University, Adrian MI.
Disney is a known commodity when it comes to creating timeless masterpieces. Recently, they have been
dusting off the cobwebs and giving their animation roster the live action treatment. Lavish updates that dont
take away from the original source material. Cinderella, Petes Dragon, and The Jungle Book all proved
that it can be done and with films like the upcoming, The Lion King, Dumbo, and The Little Mermaid it
doesnt look like the mouse house is stopping either. Beauty and the Beast is one of those tales, based on a
princess, that we have seen a dozen times. Thankfully, Belle (played here by the delightful Emma Watson) is
one of those girls that can be someone other than a damsel. It was true in the 1991 Best Picture nominee, and
its true in 2017. Bill Condons ambitious update is one filled with much precision. He tiptoes on the edge, with
his orchestration team of Alan Menken and Tim Rice to help spruce up the soundtrack with songs you have
heard and others you havent.
Dont worry, the story is just as you left it too, there is a prince that gets turned into a ravenous beastly creature
by an old enchantress hag. And in order to be turned back into the actor playing him, Dan Stevens, he must find
true love and the meaning of inner beauty before the last petal of the iconic rose falls. Meanwhile Belle, the
daughter of a widow tinkerer (an endearing Kevin Kline), yearns for a life outside of her village while turning
down the eager advances of the dashingly witty, squared jaw, charm of Gatson (Luke Evans - I had no idea he
could sing). Josh Gad does make waves as Lefou, Gastons Smithers-like gay sidekick (the subject of which
has been towering headlines for weeks) - I only wish that relationship, or the laughs, were as inspired and funny
as the film thinks it is.
Belle eventually becomes the prisoner of the Beast in the haunted castle, which is populated by CGI moving
houseware like the bickering clock Cogsworth (Ian McKellen) and his pal the hopeless romantic, french
connoisseur, dancing candelabra named Lumiere (Ewan McGregor). Other notable characters get the big
screen treatment too, and they all have a flow and look unlike the CGI motion capture of the Beast, who
moozys around unconvincingly from scene to scene with little to show for. He looks dizzy and fake at times.
Once in the castle, Belle and Beast fall in love with each other - almost too quickly. He goes from this scowling
menacing captor to bookworm over night; she goes from inmate to sympathetic on a dime. And they fall in love
with just enough time to save the day.
While everyone buying a ticket knows where the story ends up, it now becomes more about how we get to that
conclusion as opposed to just sitting back and watching the movie unfold. Easily the best thing about this
updated version is the casting. Specifically Watson, who captures the innocence, intelligence, and voice of Belle
in a way that elevates songs, like the great opening number Belle to new toe tapping heights. Evans is also on
the prowl playing Gatson, and its clear the usual action stud is having a blast playing up the ego. And Stevens
has a terrific voice for Beast, too bad we cant see him under the digital fur.
Beauty and the Beast is tons of fun when it remembers why audiences love the film in the first place. Some of
the more popular songs like Be Our Guest dont feel as buoyant this time around because of all the flashy CGI
taking away from the tune. And I dont understand why Condon choose to omit If I Cant Love Her from the
finished product - its one of Beasts most iconic songs. But other moments, like the beloved ballroom scene, are
flawlessly executed.

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The movie runs a stalemate 130 minutes (a tad lengthy for the intended audience of seven or eight years old),
yet Beast has enough mechanics working in its favor that some of my more harsh criticism can be dismissed.
Still, this tale as old as time is known for the flavorful magic that is spruced throughout, and you may find
yourself wondering why it feels like something is missing. Im also having a hard time figuring out what the
movie is trying to say now that it didnt in 1991. Either way, the resounding message of self-love still resonates,
but make sure you introduce the kiddos to the animated classic before taking them to see this one. B
Credit: Nate Adams

Materia: Motion pictures;

Personas: McKellen, Ian Kline, Kevin McGregor, Ewan Menken, Alan Gad, Josh

Ttulo: Spectra Film Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Autor: Adams, Nate

Ttulo de publicacin: University Wire; Carlsbad

Ao de publicacin: 2017

Fecha de publicacin: Mar 18, 2017

Seccin: News

Editorial: Uloop, Inc.

Lugar de publicacin: Carlsbad

Pas de publicacin: United States

Materia de publicacin: General Interest Periodicals--United States

Tipo de fuente: Newspapers

Idioma de la publicacin: English

Tipo de documento: News

ID del documento de ProQuest: 1878436155

URL del documento: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1878436155?accountid=15292

Copyright: 2017 UWIRE, a division of Uloop

ltima actualizacin: 2017-03-18

Base de datos: ProQuest Central

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