I remember the first time that I saw Beauty and the Beast animated released in 1991. I had seen the many other Disney Princess films before this since my hometown theater did Disney nights every Wednesday and they were free for children. Then when it finally came out on TV we recorded it on a VHS and I started to terrorize my family by re-watching it until I could never forget the lyrics to all the songs. Be our guest was always my favorite.
So you could barely imagine my pure joy when Disney announced it was remaking the classic into a live action film. Now I knew there would be changes but I was not prepared for how HORRIBLE the film would be. Yes I said horrible.
You see I knew that Disney had changed the stories of most of the films, and of course the controversy of Lefou being gay was well ridiculous. Honestly I was bothered with Disney changing a characters personality. In the animated film, Belle was a strong woman who yet at times needed rescuing and love. She wasn't somebody who didn't need love, or saving but someone who did and why she felt the Beasts kind side.
Gaston was very realistic to many bullies. Lefou was just someone who admired Gaston and desired more then anything to be just like him despite his small stature. The Beast was kind, at the beginning you felt fear but then you saw how he was just hurting. The betrayal Beast had felt from his family and the enchantress showed you how vulnerable he is to love, yet Belle opens his heart to love.
Maurice was also the more heart warming and caring father. He loved Belle so much and he sought the best for her. Cogsworth was well, not Cogsworth at all. The once proud servant who was brave but also a bit of a coward, still stood with his best friend Lumiere.
Ah, Lumiere, they didn't change him too much. And the list could keep going. But the whole movie strayed so far from what the animated movie brought.
You see Disney feels they have to be inclusive of all minority groups. I agree, but the Grimm Brothers wrote the original tale of this classic and the movie they created already strayed away from the original tale. But they just destroyed what I once loved.
Belle in the original was someone I could relate to, especially in my teenage years. My hometown hated me, calling me weird, strange, and bizarre. One of the bullies treated me just like Gaston, I wish that was a joke. The only difference I haven't found my Beast.
But in this film Belle, discouraged me. Suddenly Belle became this overly tough character who never felt fear or worry. It was well disgusting. No matter how strong we are, we can still feel fear and worry. When Belle and her father are locked away in the animated Chip comes to the rescue. But in this one Belle helps her father to get them out.
Now, not a big issue but what really killed it was the BEAST! To begin with I couldn't even try to like him, he just acted spoiled and very selfish. He didn't change, at all. Until he sang Evermore then I felt some change.
Gaston was even changed and I actually started wanting Belle to date him. I mean when he finally tied Belles father to a tree in the forest to die then I hated him. But before that he was actually not that bad, just a bit narcissistic. I felt they were trying to pull a Frozen, and it was horrible.
Lefou, Lefou, Lefou. Disney changed Lefou completely. Now he was a gay guy who was a bit too obvious in the way that he swings. He also was so wishy washy in supporting Gaston, I felt thrown for a loop since Lefou very much admires Gaston.
Cogsworth was the worst. Disney removed who he once was and changed him into such a coward that only the female characters could save him. This is disturbing because I have no clue what message Disney was trying to send there.
Lumiere seemed to take on more of the role of romancing Belle then the Beast in this film. Also he was portrayed as a more horny character then in the animated film. I guess it was Disney's way to make it funny all though as Lumiere was it was fine.
Now the ending of the movie was so bizarre. Gaston shoots the Beast, not stabs him but shoots him...What? Now this action I got it was Disney's way of saying they're against gun violence but again I didn't hate Gaston like I did in the animated film so this was bizarre. I instead of hating him was just staring at it like, really there was no real fighting. I can't even feel sad.
But even worse was Belles slow response that she loves him. In the animated film she is crying and gripping him tight, pleading for him to not leave her alone. She then whispers I love you.
But in this film Belle like takes forever and no offense I saw no sorrow. It just seemed like Belle was sad someone died but not that the one she had fallen in love with was gone possibly never to return. The man who took time to learn how to be gentler and to speak softer, the man who gave her a present of his entire library as a surprise, and even lets her go so she can go save her father who has wandered into a snow storm.
So Disney what happened? I think we all know what happened. Disney wanted to be considered a hard core movie company producing something with many controversies in it. But what happened instead was that they ruined a classic. Now for some they loved it, but when I watch a film if the characters don't touch my heart then it isn't worth my time.
I've thought this of a million films I've seen but only a few get me teary eyed, laughing uproariously, swooning in joy, cheering when the good guys win.
Disney knows that Warner Brothers and Universal have been playing with controversy for a long time. WB has had men on men kissing for a long time. Universal has introduced many minority groups in a very good light. When Disney tries to do that without the help of Marvel they fall short. Especially when it involves a classic Fairytale.
Which by the way brings up another point. Disney ignored the whole tale. All though in this film they introduced the theft of a rose as Maurice's crime it again was floundering. Disney wants to be this big company that is so inclusive that they're forgetting that they did included all people.
Disney stop trying to change yourself. If people of minority groups truly felt belittled then none of your films would've done so well. You are fine as you are, stop trying to prove something. It depresses me that I hated your movie so much.
I'm a minority, I'm a mixed race, I'm woman, I'm someone who lost so much of her family and was bullied by too many in her poor provincial town. Please, remember you will never to be able to please everyone. That is an impossibility, but those you have pleased will stay loyal. So these are my thoughts. Maybe I was hoping for more depth from the characters but the same story. But I do not regret what I feel. If you loved the film then awesome but I will not be buying this on DVD (or VHS).
And Disney instead of making a live action film of Mulan can you just promote China's film Mulan: Rise of the Warrior? Kay thanks!!
KEEP BELIEVING!!!!!!!!!
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