5 Reasons Why Disney’s New Beauty and the Beast is Better Than the Original #BeOurGuest
Disclosure: I attended a free screening of Beauty and the Beast. All opinions are my own.
Earlier this week my daughter and I attended a screening of Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast film which opened in theaters on March 17, 2017. We absolutely loved the film and would see it again — I rarely say this about any movie. The new Beauty and the Beast is better than the animated original, and here are five reasons why.
1. Live Action
The film literally comes to life with real people and settings. It’s much more relatable for viewers who can pick up on emotions and intentions through facial expressions and body language. The live action film provides a much more satisfying, human experience.
2. Performances
With stellar singing, dancing, acting, and gorgeous sets, watching Beauty and the Beast was almost like attending a Broadway play. Who knew that Emma Watson (who plays Belle) could sing so well? The performances were mesmerizing. Audiences will not leave bored. In addition to all the musical scores from the Original, the new version adds three new songs.
3. Depth
The Original film gave viewers a simple, somewhat flat story line about the characters. Belle was beautiful and smart. She lived with her quirky inventor dad. The Beast was a former pompous jerk. What was missing was the why behind these characters.
The live action film provides greater depth by revealing background stories. We see life inside the Prince’s (Dan Stevens) castle before he was cursed, and how childhood experiences shaped his personality. Belle is an inventor just like her dad (Kevin Kline), and she finally discovers how her mother passed away. Because of the film’s depth, viewers feel more invested in these characters since they learn what makes them tick.
4. Cinematography and Technology
The beautiful cinematography perfectly creates the mood in each scene, whether it is the joyous footage of Belle singing upon a mountaintop (reminiscent of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music) or the dreary scenes of wolf-laden paths leading to the Beast’s castle.
The film technology used to make inanimate objects come alive is impressive. Viewers will love watching the castle’s objects sing and dance. All the favorites from the original remain: a candlestick (Ewan McGregor), clock (Ian McKellen), feather duster (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), piano (Stanley Tucci), teapot (Emma Thompson), and wardrobe (Audra McDonald).
5. Modern Updates
Like with many Disney films, characters sometimes say lines with colloquial language used today. It’s as if they’re letting viewers know they’re in on the secret that this is a modern day film. For example, here are lines from Gaston (Luke Evans) and his sidekick Le Fou (Josh Gad).
“Oh, Le Fou, you are the best. Why has no girl snapped you up?”- Gaston
“I’ve been told that I’m clingy, but I don’t get it.”- Le Fou
Speaking of Le Fou, apparently some people are in an uproar that the character is gay. If I hadn’t read about this before seeing the movie, I may not have even picked up on it…I know my daughter didn’t. It’s a subtle subplot infused with humor, and Disney doesn’t hit viewers over the head with it. There is so much going on in the film that this “issue” is really a non-issue.
As for Belle, in one scene she tries to teach a child in town how to read despite disapproval from villagers who scorn educating females. In many countries in the world today, girls are still not allowed to go to school. I applaud Disney for encouraging education for everyone.
Another modern take is the interracial relationship between the candlestick and duster. We don’t find this out until the end of the film when they transform back to humans. Disney embraces diversity so this is not really a surprise and was a nice modern reflection of society today.
I really enjoyed the live action Beauty and the Beast film. With universal themes of self-identity and love, persecution and good conquering evil, Beauty and Beast really is a tale as old as time.
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Thank you for your opinion on my opinion piece. The great things about movies is that every viewer is allowed to form their own opinion. I’m happy this movie brought great joy to my daughter, and for me this is what is the most important.
The new movie is great but come on! Better than the original?
Nice analysis but I cannot agree. The cartoon was ahead of times when it came out in 1991. Brilliant. It was the first cartoon ever to win an Oscar as Best Movie. It was awarded with many prizes. I believe this new version is just a confirmation of how great the cartoon was. I would not say it is better, just different. Definitely different XOXO!
Maybe you should watch the cartoon again!
What are you talking about, the cartoon is 10.0000 times better.
Poor article, poorly researched! How can you say the movie is better than the original?
What a through review and well thought out reasoning. We like it, too. I really think it is important for children to see live action movies and plays and not just have a steady diet of cartoons when it comes to movies. Thank you for your insights!
Interesting point of view. We enjoyed this movie too. However, cartoon and live action are two completely different things. Not to be compared. They are two different art forms. Each should be appreciated for what it is. And I agree: no one, including children, should have a steady diet. We all should be able to appreciate both art forms for what they are.
Cartoons are cartoonish. The new one is 10x more captivating.
Hi! The cartoon is great, such an important part of my childhood. Not my favorite but certainly in the top 5. I also like the new movie but I don’t see a competition between the two. Bye bye! Paul
I agree the New Beauty and the Beast is a great movie.
But it is NOT as good as the original.
You are very wrong there, for several reasons:
1. The live-action is basically a carbon-copy of the cartoon. Without the original, most of the scenes you have loved would not even have existed. Did you realize that, right?
2. The original is not “simple”: it is subtle. Most of the aspects this movie reveals openly, they were already implied in the cartoon, or they were left to sensitivity and imagination.
For example: this movie tells us openly that both Belle and the Beast feel like “outsiders” in their respective environments. The cartoon provided this information more subtly, through the color code: Belle and the Beast were the only characters to wear the color blue.
Go back to the cartoon and have a look!
3. Even though the live action brings along all the modern developments in technology, the original cartoon is an art masterpiece. The cartoon is made up of a sum of drawings put one after another. It should be appreciated precisely because it was realized when modern technology was not available.
4. The improvements are good, but not always appropriate. For example, because the character of LeFou is gay, the movie was censored in some Asian countries including Malaysia. Don’t get me wrong: I love LeFou is gay. But we should be aware of cultural differences. And sensitive: not every culture is ready for that. This is another way the classic was more “subtle” about certain things. Not “simple” … subtle!!!!!!!!
5. Howard Ashman was not credited. If you don’t know who he is, please look him up.
Next time you want to post something, please do your homework and try to be more informed!
Thank you for your opinion on my opinion piece. The great things about movies is that every viewer is allowed to form their own opinion.
It sounds a great movie!
Nice highlights! I have a date night with my daughter tonight to see this and I can’t wait!!
You two are going to enjoy it. It’s very entertaining!