[rating=10.00]
Being an adult is dumb. Fortunately, as we wade through our waning days youth, we gain a new perspective regarding our childhood; everything we loved is either magically nostalgic, or terrifically horrifying. Disney’s latest live action remake of a VHS classic is proudly both, delving deeper into the subconscious of the populace while simultaneously wading around in our childhood memories.
Beauty and the Beast is, by all accounts, horrifying. An intelligent young woman gives up her freedom for her elderly father as an enchanted castle full of talking housewares helps manipulate her into loving their garbage master so they can all become human again. Love story for sure, right? While the original tale has its flaws, it still managed to remain heavily important to an unforgetting generation, turning what should be a horror story into one that we all sigh heavily at as we wish we could get a goat/buffalo/wolf hybrid to give us a second glance. Cut to 2017, and Disney execs enlist the talents of feminist hero Emma Watson, like goddamn all-knowing geniuses.
Anyone who appreciated the first go of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will not only appreciate but also sob along to their favorite cartoon which gains much needed legs in a new generation. Watson’s Belle acts as the highly-anticipated Princess for all kids wanting more from their lives, working not only as the daydreaming book worm, but also as an accomplished inventor, misunderstood by everyone around her. The “Stockholm Syndrome” story of yesteryear is replaced with a character who doesn’t feel obligated to stay with someone who genuinely terrorized her, but inherently wants to help a person (read: person as she quickly looks passed the Beast’s differences) who needs the help. Belle quickly goes from being a victim to a victor, locking in a newfound confidence that will read well for all those kids running out to catch a glimpse of one of Disney’s greatest masterpieces.
Rather than gushing all day, just know that there’s new songs to memorize and butcher during Disney karaoke. While at first it’s hard to accept the new musical numbers as part of the Beauty and the Beast catalog, it quickly grows on you. The inherent perfection that the soon to be celebrated actors achieve is a wonder on its own, which is grossly important considering the odd choices animators took regarding bringing these characters to life. While it does justice to the cartoon, the movie allows an abundance of character building that adds to the storyline, allowing the audience to fall hard for bit players. For some godawful reason the previews to the film depicted the real-world Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Chip as taking a hard turn towards an ever-present nightmare, but it somehow works in this newfound realm, adding a world building whimsy that helps cultivate those nostalgic tears.
The main controversy surrounding the film doesn’t seem to be the obvious bestiality overtones, but rather the “gay” character LeFou, antagonist Gaston’s right hand man. LaFou’s admiration concerning his best friend is admirable, and while there are certainly lines and subtext that point towards LeFou’s affections, it’s honestly just as ambiguous as most cartoon characters tend to be painted. LeFou is less of the static “definitively” gay character as the public is painting him out to be, and more of his character Olaf in Frozen. He’s sexless because he’s fictional, and solely existing to make Gaston feel more like an action hero, goading his actions to a point of no return. That said, there is a fantastic moment concerning a happy man in a lovely dress that realistically speaks volumes of where Disney lies on the ever-present LGBTQ movement that I genuinely hope all children can take note of.
Disney did well with this one. The mixed media correspondence between computer graphics and live action made for exactly what we needed from a story regarding this amount of whimsy. Beauty and the Beast is exactly what you need to fix your floundering life. Go out and enjoy something for once.
Beauty and the Beast is now playing in theaters everywhere.
