Beauty and the Beast (PG)
Cinema’s new-found burning desire for nostalgia has seen Disney restore many of its classic animations to the big screen via the live-action treatment.
Critically it’s been more miss (Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella) than hit (The Jungle Book) thus far, but big box office has vindicated the Mouse House’s decision and given Beauty and the Beast’s trailer was the most viewed promo in its first 24 hours of release ever, it looks like another monster hit is ensured.
But just how does the adaptation of the beloved 1991 cartoon measure up in the quality stakes? Thankfully for this fan of the original, very nicely indeed.
Evoking a La La Land-esque permagrin across my face throughout its magical two-hours-plus, Beauty and the Beast is spellbinding, enchanting filmmaking at its finest.
Writers Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and Evan Spiliotopoulos (a veteran of straight-to-DVD Disney sequels) take all the best elements of the animation and slot in some clever, welcome additions that just about ensure the whole exercise doesn’t feel too redundant.
We are treated to extra back story for Dan Stevens’ Beast and Emma Watson’s Belle, as well as Belle’s father Maurice (Kevin Kline), and the much-publicised affection Josh Gad’s