Review: Beauty and the Beast 2017

Disney’s new live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” skillfully supplements and expands on the original by putting more attention on character development and neatly tying up a few plot holes, but if you’ve never seen the original and you’re wondering which one to see first, they’re effectively the same movie.

The main story remains the same--long ago, a cruel prince was cursed to become a hideous beast unless he can learn to love and be loved in return before an enchanted rose loses all of its petals. In addition, every one of his servants takes the form of a piece of furniture or kitchenware. Down in a nearby provincial town, well-read outcast Belle discovers the Beast after her father ends up his prisoner. She takes her father’s place, and slowly, she and the Beast fall for each other.

Emma Watson and Dan Stevens deliver exceptional performances as Belle and the Beast, respectively, and writers Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky effectively sell their romance in a convincing way, with new, character-central scenes in addition to brand new songs. In particular, the Beast's new song "Evermore" resonates with emotion, as he laments his selfless decision to give Belle her freedom so she can save her father from danger.

But what really sells this movie are the minor characters. Each of the main servants gets a chance to tell their story or to share their philosophy on their curse, giving even more personality to these already beloved characters. The villain Gaston, played by Luke Evans, is also given more screen time to play up how cartoonish this brutish and thick-headed this huntsman is. The biggest change comes with Lefou, Gaston’s ever-present manservant, who’s been given an entire character arc in this remake.

Director Bill Condon said in an interview with the New York Times, “LeFou is somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and on another day wants to kiss Gaston. He’s confused about what he wants. It’s somebody who’s just realizing that he has these feelings.” There were undertones in the original that seemed to suggest the manservant had feelings for Gaston, but this remake makes him the first officially gay Disney character--and has gotten a certain amount of backlash as a result. Still, his character seems to straddle the line between fleshed-out character and flamboyant stereotype, his femininity often played up for laughs. Yet he's far from a token character, with his own motives and morals to flesh him out as his own person.

Overall, the remake stays true to the original almost religiously, but what changes it does make are, for the most part, good ones. While it’s probably not a must-see, audience members may find it hard to see anything disappointing in this artfully done, visually stunning remake.


At a glance:

• Beauty and the Beast (2017)
• Disney live-action feature film
• When her father is captured by a hideous beast, Belle offers to take his place and discovers that the beast is really a selfish prince who has been transformed by a powerful curse, and must fall in love in order to break it. 
• Stars: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans
• Rating: 4/5
• Rotten tomatoes score: 71%
• "What Beauty and the Beast rises or falls on is the love story, and here, allowed to slow down to let in intimate moments, the movie catches fire. It's an exhilarating gift."--Peter Travers

Story 1: Hogwarts Express Bakery Display

 When second-year culinary student Christina Devey heard about the Bakery Display project, she immediately knew what she wanted to do -- Hogwarts Express.

 Each student is allowed two weeks out of the term to prepare either two small displays per week, or one larger display at the end of the second week, showcasing an array of baked goods that tie into a theme that the student chooses. The student is also expected to bring in props and decorations, to simulate what would be expected of them as a caterer for someone’s theme party.

Because the students choose their own themes, the assignment “really allows them to be creative and do something they’re interested in,” said Todd Ketterman, second-year culinary instructor. Devey has always been a fan of the Harry Potter franchise, and so when she heard about the assignment, she couldn’t wait to put her skills to the test.

On Thursday, April 13, the Commons Cafeteria showcased her display of "Harry Potter" themed pastries, including pumpkin pasties, butter-beer cupcakes, Golden Snitch cake-pops, and treacle tarts. The display also featured two detailed cakes, one in the shape of the iconic Monster Book of Monsters, and one pink cake that read “Hapee Birthdae Harry” in green frosting -- alluding to the cake Groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid made for Harry in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. 

Every item was made by Devey herself. Even the “Marauder’s Map” wall-hanging behind the display came from her own home. She had to work in the kitchen for 4-5 hours per day over the last two weeks, and on the final display day, ended up getting to the kitchen at 6 a.m. to set everything up. Some items she prepared beforehand, some she froze, unbaked, so they would be fresh on Thursday.

Devey said that although she wanted a career in baking at first, now that she’s gotten more experience in the kitchen, she may look for a career in another field. Even so, baking remains one of her passions, and not something she’ll likely give up any time soon.

At a glance:

• On Thursday, April 13, the Commons Cafeteria showcased Christina Devey's "Hogwarts Express" bakery display project
• Find weekly menus on The Commons Cafeteria Facebook Page
• More information can be found on LBCC's Culinary Arts program webpage