Beauty and the Beast (2017) is an incredible visually appealing live-action film. Directed by Bill Condon and starring the talented Emma Watson, Josh Gad, Dan Stevens & Luke Evans, Beauty and the Beast is without a doubt an astounding take on the renowned Disney film admired by the world. Many years ago an enchantress casted a spell on a young prince and his castle, turning the prince into a beast. The enchantress left behind a single rose, if the beast could find true love before all petals of the rose fell then the spell would be undone. If not, he would remain a beast until the end of his life. We follow a young but daring village girl, Belle as she saves her father from imprisonment at the hands of the Beast, by taking his place. Belle, alongside the servants, slowly guide the Beast towards regaining his humanity and drawing him out of his shielded lifestyle.

This film is one of the few Disney live- action remakes and received generally mixed reviews from critics. While some find this remake to be a downgrade from the original film, others show their admiration. Film critic Kate Roger states: “No question the visual experience for me was the stand-out highlight of this new Disney outing, and the big reveal of the characters at the end added to the joyous finale - entirely winning me over.” The casting of Emma Watson as Belle was a legendary decision for this film. Watson not only possesses the daring and loving nature Belle is known for, but her singing voice is spot on. One of the reasons why the soundtrack for this film is still gaining streams every day. An unexpected casting choice was the casting of Josh Gad as Lefou- Gaston's quirky sidekick. I had never imagined Gad playing Lefou but was pleasantly surprised when I viewed his take on the role. His natural quirky but dry sense of humor was absolutely perfect for Lefou, and he truly brought himself to the role which added to the film immensely. I would highly recommend this film to any Disney fans, especially Beauty and the Beast (1981) fans. This modern take will give you a new look on the story, but keeps the true heart of the original film. This movie is perfect for a cozy night in or a group movie night. The soundtrack, showcasing all the original tracks, will have you singing your heart out!

Happy viewing!