Category: Queen Bee

Prepare to enter an enchanted world when you watch the new Live-Action remake of “Beauty and The Beast.” The most anticipated movie of the year has hit the big screen and it will not disappoint fans!

This beautiful new introduced version has been translated into the 21st Century yet maintains the integrity of the original Disney film. Belle is portrayed as inventive and an industrious girl. She is clearly ahead of her time and is more interested in finding out who she is. She has no interest in finding a husband or being a princess.

Synopsis

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Emma Watson’s interpretation of Belle empowers a whole new generation. She is a great role model for young girls because she fights for what she believes in. Belle is curious and has a great thirst for knowledge. She is a fighter, activist, and is the first modern Disney Princess.

Gaston (Luke Evens) is smooth, charming, and likable at first. Then he slowly transforms into one of Disney’s most arrogant, cavalier, and infamous villains.

Josh Gad was hilarious in his role as “Lefou.” He is completely obsessed with Gaston (hint hint) and will unveil a secret. (no more spoilers I promise)

The Beast played by Dan Stevens, initially is a bit dark and scary.(ok for kids) With the help of his friends, his layers are removed and he learns to love.

It was refreshing to see such a colorful cast. The characters are of different ethnicities, genders, and some were cheerfully flamboyant. It is a clear indication that Disney is opening the doors widely to diversity and embracing individuality.

The Computer Generated (CG) animation that was incorporated in the film was sophisticated and very much ALIVE! Lumiere, Cogsworth, and the other castle characters were true to the original version. Their distinct personalities were brilliantly executed. The “Be Our Guest” scene was just delightful!

The music (reprise) composed by Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, was exceptionally performed and was enchanting. Audra McDonald (Garderobe), had large impact vocally in the film. She was sensational!

The Message

In Director Bill Condon’s interview he said, “You know, I talked before about how we translate this into a live act – that means filling out the characters. It’s also a translation to 2017, you know? And what is this movie about? What has this story always been about?
For 300 years it’s about looking closer, going deeper, you know, accepting
people for who they really are, and in a very Disney way we are including
everybody. I think this movie is for everybody, and on the screen you’ll see
everybody, and that was important to me, I think to all of us.”

Bravo Disney! After screening this film I cried tears of joy. Go see the new Live-Action “Beauty and the Beast” today!

I was thrilled to get the inside scoop for one of the hottest and most anticipated movie releases this year… As I walked into the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills for the Beauty and the Beast junket, I immediately felt as if I was in an enchanted fairytale. 

The event opened with composer Alan Menken, Josh Gad, and Luke Evans performing, “Gaston.” My eyes glistened and my inner child felt as if I was in the beloved fairytale.

Luke Evans (Gaston), Emma Watson (Belle), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Plummette), Dan Stevens (Beast), Josh Gad (Lefou),Audra McDonald (Garderobe),Bill Condon (Director), and Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken were all in attendance. Here’s few excerpts from the interview:

Emma Watson looked royally in her chic long dress.  Emma talked about her character Bell. She described her as a strong activist, and a role model she hoped other young girls would look up to. Belle was her idol growing up. She felt it was vital to make Belle different, unconventional, and unique. Emma is the ideal Bell in this wonderful remake.

“You know, it’s just a start. I mean, it’s really remarkable to play someone that I’m almost sure had an influence on the woman that I have become. I think the first time I saw Paige O’Hara sing Belle (Reprise), you know, it’s kind of the I want song of all I want songs. And I just immediately resonated with her. I mean, I was so young I didn’t even know what I was tapping into but here was something about that spirit, there was something about that energy that I just knew she was my champion.”

Josh Gad  talked about his unpleasant encounter with his on set horse. He said his horse walked backwards and was unpredictable.

Josh said, “Mine is a cold-blooded killer. And he proceeded to moonwalk, he walked backwards. (Laughs) Then, he ran through multiple extras in the village, ran around – I didn’t even know it was possible – but ran through these like pillars around, up and back again. I heard “cut” and I heard laughing, and the laughter was coming from the horse’s trainer,and he came up to me and he goes, “I’m so sorry. I’ve never seen this happen before.”

Luke Evans talked about the physicality of his role as “Gaston.” He said he trained hard to fit the role. His character development was extensive.

Evens said, “And I wanted the audience to – in away, I just thought, let’s make them like him a little bit first, so that when the cracks start to appear, which they do very subtly, even from the door slam, you know, there’s something inside of him that he’s like, I’m not used to this, this isn’t how it goes, you know, this is not what she’s supposed to be doing. And although he keeps believing that Belle will change her mind, that’s where the cracks appear in my thought process and then slowly, you know, the jealousy takes over, and who he becomes, especially Gaston as opposed to other Disney villains, he has no book of spells, he has no magic powers. He’s a human being, and he uses his status within that village to rouse a crowd and he does it all from just being himself, which is quite terrifying in a way. So I played on that, I played on the humanity of the character as much as he is larger than life.”

 Dan Stevens said, “And getting to know Emma, first and foremost, on the dance floor was probably, you know, I think it’s a great way to get to know your costar, and I’m going to try and do with every movie I do now, whether there’s a waltz in the movie or not. (laughter) But no, I mean the trust that Emma had to place in me that I wouldn’t break her the title really, the “and the” bit, you know, and that’s sort of the essence of a waltz being two people in this whirlwind, you know, and learning about choreography really, the storytelling through dance, not just getting up and dancing but actually, you know, really – really telling a very crucial part of the story in that big turning point. So yes, lots of physicality.”

Gugu Mbatha-Raw talked about she worked hard on her French accent and how she embraced her inner child to portray   “Plumette,” the feather duster.

Director Bill Condon discussed the evolution of Disney and the movie translation to 2017. He talked about this movie being about “looking closer, digging deeper, and accepting people for who they are. In a very Disney way, we are including everybody.”

This was something that touched my heart.  We live in a time where many are outcasted. It’s wonderful to see that Disney is opening the doors to diversity.

Audra McDonald said,”Knowing not only did it  have this incredible creative team, but that Emma Watson was going to be Belle.  Emma has affected girls of my daughter’s age and my daughter is someone who now asks for people to donate money to charities for her birthday gifts instead of presents.  Knowing that Emma was going to make sure that Belle was somebody who was independent, strong,  educated, someone who was sticking up for girls and women, and someone who does all the rescuing in the film. That’s why I knew it was going to be important for me to be a part of and for my kids to see.” – Love her!

The event was magical! This movie teaches our children to “be themselves and to accept all,” something I rarely see in movies. Cheers to this progressive Disney film!

Beauty and The Beast hits theaters Friday March 17th!