New Beauty and the Beast

[superme80]

I used to be too. But I've heard too many people murder too much that when someone does a decent job I'm happy.

If it is community or high school theater I am way more lenient. When you are getting paid millions of dollars, I expect the best. There are reasons why people would dub the singing. Can we please go back to that???? This whole "realism" bugs me. Not everyone can sing.

 

[Aerin75]

If it is community or high school theater I am way more lenient. When you are getting paid millions of dollars, I expect the best. There are reasons why people would dub the singing. Can we please go back to that???? This whole "realism" bugs me. Not everyone can sing.

I agree whole-heartedly with the dubbing! Where is another Marni Nixon when we need her!?! (I did not know when I was a kid watching all the musicals that Eliza Doolittle and Maria were the same singer!)

 

[superme80]

I agree whole-heartedly with the dubbing! Where is another Marni Nixon when we need her!?! (I did not know when I was a kid watching all the musicals that Eliza Doolittle and Maria were the same singer!)

Exactly. I found out when I was listening to a soundtrak of The King and I. I was shocked. But I started looking for more of her work and fell in love with her voice.

 

[samsteele]

I saw it last night & agree with some of the PPs that 3D was worth it. I really enjoyed the movie & was happy that I hadn't read any detailed or critical reviews before I saw it. I just let the movie unfold before me without analyzing the heck out of it. It does what a movie is supposed to do. It offers a fun, immersive escape for a few hours. Perfect popcorn movie.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

Not seeing it, but I did love the Dis Pop review. I am hyper critical about movies, especially musicals. I did not like what heard from Emma Watson's singing. If you are not Broadway quality, I will not see your movie. Yes I am a snob. And yes I am extra mean about it. And yes I let my bias cloud my judgement. Oh well. More room in the theater for someone else.

I couldn't agree with you more. When the first trailer with Emma Watson singing came out I was so angry. Why the heck would they cast an actress who can't sing as the lead in a musical?! Disney has always been about hiring people who are the best at their craft. Why all of the sudden lower their standards and incorporate obnoxiously massive amounts of auto tune? Since when do they hire an actor to sing who is incapable of performing their songs live? (Which is why they have Josh Gadd and Luke Evans performing live in all of the publicity events and no Emma Watson). I find it baffling that the same studio that searched high and low for the perfect Moana, that cast Nicole Scherzinger just to sing two lines, that prides itself in hiring Broadway performers for their park and cruise shows, would put out such an embarrassingly sub par musical product. I don't understand how the executives didn't listen to it and say "there is no way we're putting this out". And it irritates me that people feel compelled to defend Watson..."she's doing her best"...it's her job! She was paid millions of dollars - more than most of us will make in a lifetime - to do a job she's not trained to do, as if there's a lack of actresses who can sing in Hollywood. In interviews, the director made it very clear he hired her because of her speech at the UN, and this makes me very worried about the Disney movies moving forward. I expect the highest level of craftsmanship from Disney movies, not cheap PR tricks.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

Saw it last night in IMAX 3D.

My DD and I have been looking forward to this movie since we heard it was in production - with that said, I was honestly expecting to be disappointed as I wasn't thrilled about Emma Watson cast as Belle.

We love, love, LOVED IT.

 

[barbaraann]

I saw the movie yesterday, and I absolutely loved it. It had me in tears, most of the time, from the middle of the movie until the end. I do read reviews, and watch previews beforehand, but none of that will ever stop me from seeing a movie I really wanted to see. I admit to being a huge Emma Watson fan, and loved her as Belle. In fact, years ago, when I heard they were going to do a live action movie of BATB, I thought of her in the part. Did not know she would be singing.

All I know is how I felt as I watched the movie. I was definitely entertained. I laughed out loud a few times, and cried, and wanted to applaud many many times. I loved all the characters, and urge movie goers to not leave before all the credits have finished.

I stopped at Target, and bought the soundtrack, and will be playing that a lot, I am sure in the immediate future. How long before this one becomes a CD. I may have to go back to the theatre.

 

[ibelieveinmagic]

saw it Last night I could have wrote the same review as barbarian, LOVED it!!Cried a lot, laughed, loved Emma Watson as Belle all the characters cast perfectly, it was magical!!

 

[barbaraann]

I just watched the review that DisPop posted. All I can say, is I totally disagree with those guys.

 

[LisaMaz]

I went to see an advanced showing of Beauty and the Beast last night and we thought it was fantastic! The costumes and scenes were gorgeous! I want to see it again because there was just so much to look at. I guess the reviews on it aren't coming back very good but the Disney fan in me loved it, so much so that I got teary eyed 5 or 6 times during the movie because I'm such a sap.

Anyone else seen it?

My dd saw it opening night as well and she said basically the same thing as you and had the same reaction. She doesn't usually get teary eyed so I know I'm going to need plenty of tissues because I'll be a wreck lol! I'll be seeing it in 2 hours and 26 minutes and counting so excited!

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I used to be too. But I've heard too many people murder too much that when someone does a decent job I'm happy.

AGREED!!!

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I saw it last night & agree with some of the PPs that 3D was worth it. I really enjoyed the movie & was happy that I hadn't read any detailed or critical reviews before I saw it. I just let the movie unfold before me without analyzing the heck out of it. It does what a movie is supposed to do. It offers a fun, immersive escape for a few hours. Perfect popcorn movie.

Thanx for commenting specifically on the 3-D being worth it, Sam. I'm also going to go with an open mind, and hope to just enjoy. I'm not expecting it to be like the original, and I know maybe the voices won't be Broadway quality, but I'm okay with that, as long as it's enjoyable, and they don't sound like drunks doing karaoke, and I know that going in, I'm totally fine with it. Different strokes, I am wiling to say.

I guess I should also point out that I enjoyed Maleficent, Snow White & the Huntsman, and Cinderella (my least fave of the 3) - all for just what they were - weakness/flaws, and all. I will also say that I already LOVE the costumes and scenes I've seen in the previews of B&B, and that's what I loved about the 3 I just mentioned, so I think it will be hard for me to come away too disappointed. I also NEVER listen to critics, as far as whether to see a movie or not - whether from the DIS, or "professionals". I like to see the movie myself, and form my own opinion. I can't tell you the number of times I STRONGLY disagreed with universally-liked, or panned movies, even Academy Award winners!! I will read/listen to the reviews later maybe, but still go to see regardless, and still have my own experience and opinion.

 

[bamacmac]

I saw it Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. Yep...twice in less than 24 hours! I loved it. It was amazing to see the adored movie of my childhood brought to life. It was visually stunning. I loved all that they added to the story. I think it was mostly cast well and I truly loved it. If I am completely honest, I do somewhat wish they had chosen someone else for Belle. I adore Emma. Really adore her. She was beautiful in this role and was excellent in some scenes. And I don't at all believe she was bad in anyway. She was very good as Belle. She just wasn't amazing. I was hoping for amazing. Because Paige O'Hara was amazing. And I was wanting that same feeling from it.

But I get them wanting a big name to go with their main character. I do agree some dubbing might have been a good call. Ha.

Overall, wonderfully done. I loved the new songs. I'm sure I will see it again soon! So much to notice in this one!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I liked it, but wasn't blown away. I found it lacking the charm of the original. And I'm sorry to say it, because I love her, but I just didn't buy Emma Watson as Belle. YMMV, IMO.

 

[ach222]

We saw it last night, I loved it and I didn't have high hopes going in. Was very surprised by the guys' review on DisPop.

Edited to add : I did agree with them that it drug a bit in places, could have been cut by 15 min

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I saw it at the matinee this morning. Who knew that at 9:30 am the theater would be full. The audience applauded at the end of the movie. Though I didn't applaud I really did enjoy the movie. I did laugh, and I did tear up in parts. I enjoyed all of the acting, and loved the songs. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary (I'm so clueless and would make a terrible reviewer) as to references, etc., I think the only thing I noticed was Cogworth's mustache and the pianoforte's <edit> at the end that made me chuckle. So, I'm sure I'll be seeing it again and look for other references.

 

[LCoulter]

Glad to see others loved it too. I was surprised by Craig's scathing review but he has a far more artistic eye and ear than I so he can see and hear the flaws.

To me, the scenes were beautiful, it made me smile throughout and I got teary eyed....I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I saw it yesterday in 3D. I was very skeptical because I hate all of the remakes they've been doing; I'm also a huge B&B fan.

To date, it is the best live action remake. I think that is because it was so true to the original including the songs. That was key. People were singing along with them in the theater. Emma has a very weak singing voice but did the best she could. Luke exceeded my expectations as Gaston. As for the "big gay moment," you could blink and miss it.

Great movie. Here's hoping future remakes follow this pattern.

 

[msk]

I saw it last night and loved it!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We saw it this morning and while I very much enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I thought the pacing wasn't great and the CGI on the beast (especially the full body shots) wasn't great

I did think it was visually stunning and I really enjoyed Josh Gad as LaFou and Juke Evans as Gaston. I was afraid I wouldn't like Emma Watson as Belle (that it would seem like Hermione Granger playing Belle) but I thought she was pretty darn good.

It's funny @*NikkiBell* in that because it was so faithful to the original that I thought it made it weaker than some of the others I have seen. Like you were just waiting for the songs you knew and wanted them to skip over the other parts. I think I did like some of the added scenes more than some of the recreations. I guess that is why there are 31 flavors of ice cream

And I don't want it to seem like I am panning it (certainly some of things I noticed, and that Craig and Ryno discussed, didn't take away from my enjoyment) - I really did like it and would happily see it again ... just didn't think it was amazing or an instant classic or anything. And I might get some hate for this but I liked the Cinderella remake better