Beauty and the Beast

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

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(Live action retelling of Disney classic)

Disney's classic cartoon feature was made into an award-winning Broadway musical and now is being brought to the big screen in all its glory.

Emma Watson makes for a beautiful, feisty, caring Belle opposite Dan Stevens as the arrogant Beast, who slowly changes into a prince of a guy, thanks to his kind and understanding captive.

You know the story: Belle's father (Kevin Kline) is imprisoned in the Beast's castle, but his daughter changes places with him. The Beast has a chance for redemption for past bad deeds, but it requires him to change dramatically.

There are always morals in Disney stories, and this one has more than one. The nasty beast proves that people can change. Belle proves that love conquers all.

And Belle asks the million dollar question: Can anyone be happy if they are not free?

The movie is filled with a number of wonderful songs, including "Be My Guest,” plus the title song.

The candelabra, clock, wardrobe, dog, teapot and cup, plus other inanimate objects come alive, thanks to some state-of-the-art special effects.

The movie opens up the limitations of the stage version with lavish scenes of the castle, forest and village.

Luke Evans makes a Gaston that you will love to hate, and Josh Gad plays his aide-de-camp with a new perspective. (Some folks were not very happy that Disney would introduce a character whose sexuality comes into question, but it is quite subtle and probably over the heads of the younger ones.)

Brief appearances by Emma Thompson and Andra McDonald add to the fun at the end. And stay around for the credits, when you get a closer look at the servants in their human form.

I admit to not being overly excited about seeing yet another version of "Beauty and the Beast," but both Joyce and I were pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

This is truly a movie for all ages and carries a PG rating. The Beast and a pack of wolves may frighten the very young, but at least the Beast turns into a pussycat.