Beauty and the Beast: Totally Worth the Hype

It's a tale as old as time, and one that has warmed the hearts of all ages for over 20 years. Beauty and the Beast is one of those staple Disney classics that will never grow old despite the dozens of times we've popped open the VHS as a kid. But could Disney successfully translate this magic and wonder into a live action remake?

Definitely.

First and foremost, the casting is perfect. Emma Watson stars as Belle, and is simply adorable in the role. She is everything we loved about her Harry Potter persona, Hermione - she's independent, intellectual, and unconcerned about fitting the status quo. Emma's new role comes with a twist that never graced the Hogwarts halls...she can sing, and really well too!

Dan Stevens plays the fearsome yet loveable softy that is the Beast, and the two radiate chemistry on screen, despite his paws, fur and horns. The ballroom dance scene is simply perfect as the two sway to Mrs. Potts singing "Beauty and the Beast." This is the moment that everyone associates with the original, and it is surreal to see the golden dress and blossoming love between the two come to life.

Despite Emma and Dan's outstanding performances, the enchanted objects steal the show. Lumiére (voiced by Ewan McGregor) and Cogsworth (Ian McKellen) are like a minuscule married couple, and I never thought it possible to feel so strongly towards a friendship between a candelabra and clock. Lumiére is the unsung hero of this tale, who sets off from the start to unite Belle and the Beast to break the curse.

As soon as the movie ended, I already wanted to see it again. From the flashy "Be Our Guest" number to the epic ending fight scene, every second of the movie is captivating. This live version brings a whole new life to the animated classic, with little twists for the modern era (LeFou gets a dude!).

Beauty and the Beast shows us that beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder, and is never just skin-deep. Belle also teaches us that there is always something new out there to learn and explore, and we should never settle for a "provincial" commoner's life, pining after jerks like Gaston.