I like that this movie follows the original fairytale better, and also that it makes more sense than the Disney version.
In the Disney version, the prince was cursed because he was an 11 year old spoiled brat, and the enchantress also cursed the entire staff of the castle, including children and animals.
In this version, the prince is cursed because he killed a spirit of the forest who could take many forms.
I agree - I think the reasoning for the Beast’s curse in this adaptation makes much more sense than that of other versions. It makes much more sense to curse an adult man for killing someone/something instead of cursing a child for not allowing a complete stranger into their home.
Having said that, though, I’ve always questioned why she (the doe/spirit girl of the forest) would even fall in love with the prince in the first place. She knows that he hunts animals (it’s funny but this version of the prince reminded me so much of Gaston) and he’s not exactly the most attentive husband.
Plus, he’s not exactly traditionally handsome either, but I could learn to overlook that if he had a kinder/gentler personality.
Agreed! Lea Seydoux as Belle is so much more likable and playful than Emma Watson’s bored/snobby version. Plus, Lea is actually a good actress, so that certainly makes a huge difference.
I completely agree with you and sudols on this - my main criticism for this adaptation is that as a film it really fails to show us the evolution of Belle and the Beast’s relationship or why/how Belle falls in love with him in the first place.
So far out of all the BatB adaptations I’ve seen (and there’s been so many over the years), I still think Disney’s animated film has done the best at showing us that the Beast changed into a good person and that he actually deserved to be loved.
Having said that, I really appreciate this film for what it is - a moving work of European art. The costumes are really stunning and the scenery is simply beautiful. I also liked how it turned out that Belle was retelling the story to her and the Beast’s children. :)
This movie is beautiful, but for me it's all there is. It lacks SO MUCH when it comes to the Beast and Beauty's relationship. There seems to be no love at all, and there are hardly any scenes of them together or bonding. Too much time is spent on Beauty's father, and also the weird subplot with those thieves???
The Beast also comes across as a truly terrible person, and abusive, just like the 2017 Beast for me. The animated film got the perfect balance of a difficult, cold Beast, but also could make you sympathize with him. You don't understand why Beauty falls in love with this guy at all. They just fall in love because it's supposed to happen. There are no scenes to show us their relationship changes and evolves from hatred, to love.
Lea Seydoux is a great actress, but she wasn't given enough to do here as Belle, except walk around in pretty dresses. She deserved a better Beauty and the Beast film.
Oh yeah, I was thinking some of these points myself.
She actually told him, "You disgust me, repulse me..." and there was no point in the movie where Belle softened toward the Beast. The producers are asking the viewers to make that jump on their own.
I do wish they just focused on Beauty and Beast. There was a loooooooooooot of gravy in this film, and we really didn't need so much context/side subplots.
You don't understand why Beauty falls in love with this guy at all.
Fucking this. So much.
Although I do feel like the movie flows better in French. I'm thinking of watching it in French with English subtitles.
I agree - as beautiful as the movie is, it still lacks in character development and fails to show us the evolution of Belle and the Beast’s relationship. It focuses too much on side characters and other details in the story when it really should’ve been devoting more screen time to redeeming the Beast.
Over the years I’ve seen many different versions of BatB (both modern and traditional adaptations), but I still think Disney’s animated film portrays their growing relationship the best. The audience can actually see that the Beast has changed into a better person - one who is actually deserving of love. Like you said, you actually find yourself feeling sympathetic and rooting for him (much like people start feeling the same for Mr. Darcy half way through Pride & Prejudice). That’s why the film’s happy ending is so emotional and satisfying - because we’ve seen the characters go through so much and we know that they’ve actually earned their happily ever after
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In the Disney version, the prince was cursed because he was an 11 year old spoiled brat, and the enchantress also cursed the entire staff of the castle, including children and animals.
In this version, the prince is cursed because he killed a spirit of the forest who could take many forms.
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In the Disney version, Wardrobe just has all these beautiful dresses for Belle to wear, but it's a mystery why they're there.
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Having said that, though, I’ve always questioned why she (the doe/spirit girl of the forest) would even fall in love with the prince in the first place. She knows that he hunts animals (it’s funny but this version of the prince reminded me so much of Gaston) and he’s not exactly the most attentive husband.
Plus, he’s not exactly traditionally handsome either, but I could learn to overlook that if he had a kinder/gentler personality.
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Belle was funny and playful in the animated movie - i.e. the snowball fight.
Unfortunately Emma Watson's performance was too bland for Belle in Batb 2017 to be fun and/or playful.
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All of the stuff with the man who ended up becoming a tree, and even the nymph of the forest, could have been cut down.
But the movie is really beautiful to watch, it's almost an art/period piece.
Really gorgeous costumes. And I like that the movie was circular, the children listening to the story are Belle and Beast's kids.
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So far out of all the BatB adaptations I’ve seen (and there’s been so many over the years), I still think Disney’s animated film has done the best at showing us that the Beast changed into a good person and that he actually deserved to be loved.
Having said that, I really appreciate this film for what it is - a moving work of European art. The costumes are really stunning and the scenery is simply beautiful. I also liked how it turned out that Belle was retelling the story to her and the Beast’s children. :)
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The Beast also comes across as a truly terrible person, and abusive, just like the 2017 Beast for me. The animated film got the perfect balance of a difficult, cold Beast, but also could make you sympathize with him. You don't understand why Beauty falls in love with this guy at all. They just fall in love because it's supposed to happen. There are no scenes to show us their relationship changes and evolves from hatred, to love.
Lea Seydoux is a great actress, but she wasn't given enough to do here as Belle, except walk around in pretty dresses. She deserved a better Beauty and the Beast film.
Reply
She actually told him, "You disgust me, repulse me..." and there was no point in the movie where Belle softened toward the Beast. The producers are asking the viewers to make that jump on their own.
I do wish they just focused on Beauty and Beast. There was a loooooooooooot of gravy in this film, and we really didn't need so much context/side subplots.
You don't understand why Beauty falls in love with this guy at all.
Fucking this. So much.
Although I do feel like the movie flows better in French. I'm thinking of watching it in French with English subtitles.
Reply
Over the years I’ve seen many different versions of BatB (both modern and traditional adaptations), but I still think Disney’s animated film portrays their growing relationship the best. The audience can actually see that the Beast has changed into a better person - one who is actually deserving of love. Like you said, you actually find yourself feeling sympathetic and rooting for him (much like people start feeling the same for Mr. Darcy half way through Pride & Prejudice). That’s why the film’s happy ending is so emotional and satisfying - because we’ve seen the characters go through so much and we know that they’ve actually earned their happily ever after ( ... )
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