Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Luke Evans
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the recognition of Ian McKellen. Ever since his rise to stardom amid the 1990’s, McKellen has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s troubled soldiers, magical ring bearers or bold leaders, McKellen has portrayed many bold characters. Arguably, McKellen’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talents for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, McKellen has proven he can make engaging movies in every single genre. Despite reaching the age of retirement, McKellen has never lost his lifelong passion for making entertainment. Throughout his lasting career, McKellen has made several memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of McKellen and admire all the movies he has created in his career. However, “Beauty and the Beast” is truly my favourite. Released in 2017, Bill Condon’s movie offered a strong adaptation of a beloved Disney classic. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best live-action adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Ian McKellen, who portrays a housekeeper seeking to care about a household. Ultimately, what makes “Beauty and the Beast” a fantasy classic is universal appeal. Unlike most fantasy films, it tackles strong themes which everyone relates to. A fabulous fantasy classic, there are many l reasons why “Beauty and the Beast” is worth watching.
Based on the beloved classic, “Beauty and the Beast” tells a story of a beautiful woman that falls in love with a beast. Emma Watson plays Belle, a young woman with stories to tell. Belle has managed to get by in life through an ability to be independent. However, Belle’s life forever changes when she falls in love with a majestic prince which causes disaster. The Beast (Dan Stevens) is a prince that suffers from a deadly curse. As she uncovers shocking secrets about the Beast, Belle questions her lifelong love for a creature. Faced with a dilemma, Belle soon questions whether she can spent a rest of her life with a beast causing trauma. Discovering a harsh reality of a romantic that’s beastly, Belle questions her lifelong love for a man whom she used to love dearly.
Bill Condon has always been drawn toward the fantasy genre. A fantastic filmmaker, Condon has often made fantasy films. His movie “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Bad Part 2” offered a beautiful tribe towards a celebrated fantasy series. With “Beauty and the Beast”, however, Condon made his first ever live-action remake. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour a legendary animated movie, but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning visuals, Condon captures a woman’s journey to fall in love with a creature which is beastly. Inspired by Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring”, Condon effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture harsh ships that beastly women go through. For instance, POV shots enhance the romantic meeting scene. During this haunting scene, Belle meets the beast for the first time. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Ron Howard’s “The Da Vinci Code” suggested, POV shots elevate mystery films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning usuals, Condon campsites the tensions that frightening beasts are often experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Beauty and the Beast” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well-made. Condon’s decision to shoot musical sequences using live singing is risky but works immensely. For instance, live-singing elevates the Days in the Sun musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Belle sings about her life as a downtrodden woman. Using stunning live-singing, Condon crafts a portrait of beasts that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Alan Menlen’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which beasts bear. Through captivating production, Condon captures the lives of beasts enduring destruction.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Beauty and the Beast” is a film about beasts that’s compelling. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tensions that beasts are facing. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the beast argument scene. During this haunting scene, Belle has an intense argument with the beast causing tension. Through monologues, Condon crafts a portrait of beasts audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky to use in films. Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” proved dramatic monologues elevate classic comic-book films. Tom Hooper’s “Cats” suggested monologues elevate Broadway musicals. That being said, it works immensely. Using a strong screenplay, Condon captures beasts facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ian McKellen delivers one of his best career performances as Cogsworth. McKellen first earned appreciation for playing wizards in fantasy films. With “Beauty and the Beast”, however, he took on his most comical role. It isn’t easy to portray a beastly housekeeper facing adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, funny and moving in his most iconic role. McKellen has always excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Beauty and the Beast” exhibited his strength as an actor. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a housekeeper facing adversity. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated British actors today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for McKellen, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Emma Watson is excellent, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a beast causing a frightening dilemma. Dan Stevens is spectacular, bringing tension to a prince with curses whose life does not go according to plan. Lastly, Josh Gad is worthy of appreciation. As a household item, he brings hilarious comic-relied to the movie.
Finally, “Beauty and the Beast” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing beasts. Unlike most Disney movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The movie tackles strong themed including anxiety, magic and trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Beauty and the Beast” is one of those rare fantasy films ebeyrone would adore.
Fans of Ian McKellen would enjoy “Beauty and the Beast” and so would movie-goers seeking magical entertainment. A captivating fantasy classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking musical about beautiful women falling in love with beasts that are painful, it’s a remarkable reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a successful career through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences consider special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 