This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Disney. I received an all-expense paid trip from Disney so that I could gather and share this information about the live-action film release of Beauty and the Beast. However, the Beauty and the Beast review, experiences and opinions are always 100% my own as this post is written by me in its entirety. This post contains affiliate links.

Disney has done it again! They’ve turned the impossible into the possible. Actually, I’m not really sure the word impossible even exists within the Walt Disney Studios walls. If it does – it’s not used – instead I think you’ll find throughout all Disney movies “challenges.” Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast opens today in theatres everywhere! Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? Wondering if you should take the kids? Read on to see my thoughts in this Beauty and the Beast review.

 

Beauty and the Beast Review

I’ll admit, when Disney’s live-action Cinderella came out I didn’t exactly run to the theatre. In fact, I’d seen the chariot at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios before I even saw the movie – on an airplane headed who knows where. But that’s not the point, the point is I’ve seen the majority of Disney’s animated films and almost all of the Disney stage productions, and my life has been pretty completely. I’m actually thankful for that plane ride because I may not have otherwise found the time to watch the live-action Cinderella and therefore not realized all that Disney is capable of doing in their live-action adaptations of true Disney classics we love. Which is exactly why I knew I wasn’t going to miss out seeing Beauty and the Beast in theatres! 

If you know anything about Disney it’s that they do EVERYTHING better – even 25 years later, a Disney re-imagination is EVERYTHING. I’m especially sold and convinced after seeing the live-action Beauty and the Beast movie last week during the #BeOurGuestEvent. It was the first thing on our agenda and I couldn’t wait because I knew I’d be getting the chance to share my Beauty and the Beast review with you. I’m going to try to avoid any spoilers – ready or not, here goes…

Taking the Kids

First let me start by giving you my age recommendations – Beauty and the Beast is rated PG – which officially stands for Parental Guidance Suggested – Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give “parental guidance”. May contain some material parents might not like for their young children. In my humble opinion as a mother of three kids ages 3, 5 and 20 here’s my thoughts. The parts that may intimidate some younger children will be when the Beast appears for the first time, when the Beast fights off the wolves to save Belle and when Gaston and the Beast go toe to toe. If your children have already seen the animated version, then they’ve seen all this before – it’s just a little scarier because it’s live action. The scenes aren’t long and will be easily forgotten by the kids once the next scene appears. That being said, I fully intend to take both of my girls to see the movie and here is why. My  five year old has seen the animated version, as well as the stage production. She’s seen previews of the live-action Beauty and the Beast trailers and she says shes ready to see it. My three year old loves Belle – she’s only seen the animated version, and the trailer, she’s actually usually less frightened by things than her sister.

For the Adults

If you still aren’t sure if you’d like to bring the kids, might I suggest a date night or girls night to preview first before deciding? I’ve done this on many occasions with many movies, stage productions, etc. Now for the adults…Disney stuck true to the original beloved timeless classic we grew up knowing and loving. They cast amazing talent – Emma Watson & Dan Stevens, Luke Evans & Josh Gad, and Audra McDonald & Gugu Mbatha Raw. All of your favorite songs like Be Our Guest composed by Alan Menken are there, and he even worked on THIS project too! The director Bill Condon did a phenomenal job of bringing this tale as old as time to life on the big screen, which is no easy feat. Everything you loved about the classic, you’ll love even more.

I most enjoyed watching Gaston, played by Luke Evans, because he made me love and hate him all at the same time. He played his role so well that I was enamored with his character, but for obvious reasons couldn’t love him too much. For sure there’s something there for everyone to enjoy, with lots of laughs – some even unexpected. The touching moments between Belle and her father Maurice – and we finally get a back story in finding out what happened to Belle’s mother! Emma’s strong character portrayal of Belle – being kind, being humble, being compassionate, is just what we need more of in this world. I hope you’d enjoyed my Beauty and the Beast review. I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions – be sure to come back and let me know after you see the movie!

Check out the never before seen “Something There” clip from the Beauty and the Beast movie.

Beauty and the Beast is now playing in theatres everywhere!

Get your tickets online and be entered to win the Beauty and the Beast Sweepstakes.

Shop using the Beauty and the Beast merchandise gift guide!

Get social with Beauty and the Beast using #BeOurGuest and #BeautyAndTheBeast

Check out all the fun the bloggers had behind the scenes with #BeOurGuestEvent

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Photography by Mama’s Mission and Disney