Beauty and the Beast was officially released in theaters everywhere today and already many theaters have sold out shows. The anticipation leading up to the release of this movie and the amazing media coverage have made this movie a must see…and I completely agree!
The animation and acting and sheer talent involved in creating this live action remake is incredible. I think I was taken back from the extensive detail and pulled into the story even more than I expected because everything was so beautiful and detailed.
The musical talents in the movie were fantastic. Each actor put their own spin on the classics and some new songs were also introduced. Although the performers put their own touch in the songs, there was still so much familiarity and beauty to their singing. I was so impressed with Emma Watson’s voice throughout the movie. The Hermione Granger that I was so sure I could not get passed, disappeared as soon as she began to sing, and Belle emerged and encapsulated myself and the rest of the audience.
I have to admit that I was not super excited at the changes of Cogsworth, Lumiere, Plumette, Mrs. Potts and Chip. They were just so real and the softness of their cartoon characteristics that I loved from the animated feature were not there. However, those feelings dissipated throughout the movie as you began to get more involved in their stories, personalities and the real emotion the actors placed into bringing these objects life. By the end, I could not imagine them looking any different. They just fit perfectly.
However, the number one reason that you MUST see Beauty and the Beast is simple. It is a classic. Boundaries are pushed, but the ultimate storyline that true beauty lies within is one that is so important to share with generations. Honestly. We need our current and future generations to see worth in themselves and to know that outer appearances are not what make a person, it is what is inside that we need to focus on.
Working in a high school I see kids judge each others outer appearances and other kids falling apart from the social media backlash that happens in this new world we live in and it is so disheartening that I can’t just fix them all. I can’t just take away all their technology forever and make them spend time loving each other. I can’t make them see that in a few years, most of the drama that occurs in these four years wont even matter. I can’t give them self confidence. All I can do is love my students, show them that getting through the struggles is what makes you stronger, tell them stories of how I came through similar situations and fight against bullying.
