On its opening weekend, Beauty and the Beast dominated the box office with $174 million. Since the opening night on March 17, the film’s profits continue to grow at a beastly rate. Yet, audiences are reporting back with mixed reviews. On the one hand, it has to be tough to try to beat such a perfect original animated feature. On the other, Beauty and the Beast the live action remake tries it’s best to do this by modernizing the film. This does provoke some changes from the original.
Belle’s father becomes an artist rather than an inventor and leaves the inventing to his daughter. Belle’s mother earns a backstory to describe why she is absent. Female illiteracy becomes an issue in Belle’s provincial town. However, the Beast is well-read, while his animated 1990s counterpart was not. Gaston as a villain is more evil than ever and LeFou becomes instantly loveable as Gaston’s gay best friend. Nevertheless, despite these changes, the remake remains almost the same as the animated original.
Critics are giving the film mixed reviews. Some say that it is a cheap copycat of a brilliant classic. Others stand firm that the remake is a masterpiece. I decided to take the best of both sides and list what the five best and five worst moments are in this tale as old as time.
This list will contain spoilers. You have been warned.