Beauty and the Beast
Detective Catherine Chandler is a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective. When she was a teenager, she witnessed the murder of her mother at the hands of two gunmen and herself was saved by someone – or something. Years have passed and while investigating a murder, Catherine discovers a clue that leads her to Vincent Keller, who was reportedly killed in 2002. Catherine learns that Vincent is actually still alive and that it was he who saved her many years before. For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.
Insights
Plot Summary
A beautiful and kind young woman named Belle is taken prisoner by a fearsome Beast in his enchanted castle. Despite her initial fear, Belle gradually befriends the castle's enchanted staff and begins to see the kind heart and soul of the Beast. As their bond grows, Belle must help the Beast break the spell that has cursed him and his castle before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.
Critical Reception
The 2017 live-action adaptation of 'Beauty and the Beast' received generally positive reviews from critics and was a massive commercial success. While some critics found it a little too similar to the original animated classic, many praised its visual effects, musical numbers, and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. Audience reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the faithful yet updated retelling of the beloved story.
What Reviewers Say
- Visually stunning with impressive musical sequences that honor the original.
- Emma Watson's Belle is a strong, independent protagonist, though some found the film overly reliant on the animated version's blueprint.
- The enchantment of the castle and its inhabitants is brought to life effectively through CGI and strong vocal performances.
Google audience: Audiences largely enjoyed the live-action 'Beauty and the Beast,' praising its faithfulness to the beloved animated film, the performances of the cast, and the enchanting visuals. Many appreciated the update to Belle's character, making her more active and independent. Some minor criticisms pointed to a lack of originality and a runtime that felt a bit long, but overall, the film was a crowd-pleaser that evoked nostalgia and delivered a magical experience.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for 2 Academy Awards (Best Production Design, Best Costume Design). Won multiple People's Choice Awards, including Favorite Movie and Favorite Family Movie.
Fun Fact
During the ballroom dance sequence, Emma Watson and Dan Stevens had to dance with actors wearing motion-capture suits, as Stevens' Beast character was entirely CGI.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources