Did You Like It? Beauty and the Beast (2017) Movie [Spoiler] Review

[This is a late upload, I wrote this on March 16, 2017, after a special screening and then totally forgot to upload it on my Tumblr blog.]

This year's Beauty and the Beast, Disney's latest movie remake, is currently showing in cinemas worldwide. Even with the positive critic reviews, some audience are divided on whether it justified the original 1991 film or not.

As a Disney Film Fanatic myself, I would like to discuss some details of the films.

Starting with the titular characters, the relationship between Belle, the Beauty, and the Beast is shown to be far more better than the original in way that their interactions are different.

Emma Watson does fit the character of Belle because she is beautiful and she changed the character's conviction. Showing the backstory of leaving her childhood place, Paris, because of the Plague and making Belle an inventor and an analytic person somehow gave more dept to the character. This also gave her relationship with her father more significant and their life at the provincial area so necessary.
The only issue is that there were scenes where it felt like she didn't belong, as if she was just inserted there because she's the protagonist of the story, even if the scene was supposed to have her as the focus. You can also hear some auto-tune in her voice, making her vocal performance a bit off at times.

We didn't see much of Dan Stevens but we get to hear that he has an excellent voice. The Beast's design and CGI is okay, but there are moments when the CGI was obvious. I think that's why the film's general palette is dark, it is to hide away as much CGI as possible. His back to human transformation was a bit underwhelming too. 

Unlike in 1991 version, the Beast felt more like a human with problems than the original one who does seemed to be like a beast trying to be human, he is even more sarcastic, which is a nice touch. I really wish that they revealed his name this time. I have no idea how everyone in the Disney Fandom knew that his name is Prince Adam or if it was real since it was never even mentioned in both the 1991 and the 2017 adaptation. If they added that scene, it would've made Belle and the Beast's relationship more powerful.

Luke Evans as Gaston is something that I wasn't expecting. Both him and Lefou, played by Josh Gad, were, to me, the highlight of the film.
Making Gaston a person who calms himself by remembering his days in war is both hilarious and a convincing reason as to why he is jerk. Add to that is Luke Evans' great singing voice and acting, which made Gaston the perfect villain.

Having Lefou as a gay character really fits to the story more than just being the idiot villain psychic. Sadly, most of the generally negative reviews are from people who were put off by this change.
But still, Lefou's character development is something what this film needs. Lefou is the one who is blinded by Gaston the entire time, and it actually make sense that he is in love with Gaston rather than being just someone who praise him with no other reason than manliness. The changes in the songs done in Lefou's perspective is also a great touch.

As for the side characters, I think Ian Mckellen's Cogsworth was the best one, and this is coming from a Cogsworth hater. Maybe because the grumpiness does fit to the older character. His animation is also believable and is something that I would buy, should there be clock in his design.
My favorite part of him was when he wanted to turn back to a clock after his spouse started remembering who he is.

I was a bit disappointed with Lumiere in a sense that he is too off at times. Even when he was performing "Be Our Guest" which really felt like it was too long and there is so many things happening on screen. At least Ewan Mcgregor did not disappoint with his vocal performances.

I also find the character of Agathe, or the Enchantress, really off at some points, especially her very convenient appearance during the "I love you" scene with Belle and the Beast. It's like she was also just inserted there. But it was great to know that the reason why the palace staff was included in her curse was because they did nothing when the Beast was growing up to be a jerk.
One plot hole about her is that she didn't went mad at Gaston after he discredit her during Maurice's claim of Gaston's attempted murder, but she was mad a Prince who didn't find her beautiful.

I find it weird that Maurice and Belle were conveniently able to find the castle and evade the wolves. Gaston was only able to find the place after Belle showed him the magic mirror but they couldn't do so when Maurice asked for his help.
I also think that it's weird to imply that Mrs. Potts and Maurice to have some interest with each other, considering that her husband (?) just started remembering her after the curse was lifted. The villager's memory wipe was also a great explanation to the palace's isolation.

All in all, it is 7.5 out of 10 for me. 

How about you? How would you rate Beauty and the Beast(2017)? Did you like it?

[Photos from Disney Wikia]