For both adults and kids alike, new Beauty and the Beast film starring Emma Watson is simply the best
Beauty & The Beast
(PG) 129 minutes
THIS was not a film I was particularly looking forward to seeing.
I was too old by the time the animation came out, and as the father of four boys born in the Pixar era, I have gone my 43 years without being massively troubled by the tale of a woman in love with a buffalo.
But, readers, I am happy to announce that I was utterly delighted.What a lovely film.
With this and The Jungle Book under its belt, Disney has struck gold in reimagining its classics as live action.
And I for one cannot wait for the imminent Lion King.
Beauty and the Beast is ambitious, confident, charming and, while not without faults, pretty much the perfect family film.
Let’s talk Emma Watson. Some people winced at her as the choice for Belle, and many eyebrows were raised at her turning down La La Land for this opportunity.
But she’s got one savvy agent. Within ten minutes you can’t think of anyone better.
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There are a few wobbles, and it seems she is to be forever cursed with this kind of role — but I doubt she’s going to jump off her wallet at the thought of that.
There’s also a terrific double act in Luke Evans as Gaston and Josh Gad as LeFou.
And any film that surprises you with Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson as a support cast can’t really do much wrong.
I went back for seconds a week later with the kids in tow and they were slack-jawed.
There are some quite scary wolves and it takes a while for the younger ones to get used to the imposing Beast.
But they blooming well loved it — even if the older ones appeared to have something in their eyes at the end (dust, apparently, although it coincided with a fairly tense ending).
Watching it seamlessly merge the best of live action and animation got me thinking sacrilegious thoughts about how we’re probably at the right time for a Wizard of Oz remake.
Not the iffy James Franco thing from a couple of years ago — Oz The Great and Powerful — but a full-on remake.
So forget the recent furore over its gay character, the inter-racial kiss (between a candelabra and a feather duster) and accusations of Stockholm syndrome (where a hostage develops feelings for their kidnapper), and just enjoy the spectacle.
If you like smiling and feeling warm inside, get in line.
The songs are lovely, the sets are breathtaking and the whole package is a real delight.
I walked in with trepidation yet skipped out singing Be Our Guest.
Kids will adore it and adults will be kids all over again
★★★★☆
FILM OF THE WEEK FOR FAMILIES