Beauty and the Beast Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bookworm gets imprisoned by a furry dude with anger issues and falls for him because he has a library, and suddenly everyone turns back into humans; Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.

🍿 Beauty and the Beast: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Enchantress and the Prince

The film opens with a flashback to a lavish party where a spoiled Prince refuses shelter to an old beggar woman. The beggar reveals herself to be a powerful enchantress and punishes the Prince for his cruelty by transforming him into a monstrous Beast. His servants are also transformed into household objects, and the castle is hidden from the outside world until the Beast can learn to love and earn love in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.

Belle in Villeneuve

Years later, in the nearby village of Villeneuve, Belle, a book-loving and independent young woman, feels out of place amongst the townsfolk. She is pursued by Gaston, a narcissistic war hero, but Belle rejects his advances, yearning for a life of adventure beyond her provincial surroundings. Her father, Maurice, an inventor, sets off to a nearby market, promising to bring her back a rose.

Imprisonment in the Castle

Maurice becomes lost in the woods and stumbles upon the Beast’s castle. He seeks shelter but is taken prisoner for trespassing. When Maurice’s horse returns to Villeneuve without him, Belle fears the worst and sets out to find her father. She discovers the castle and offers herself as a prisoner in exchange for her father’s freedom. The Beast agrees, and Belle becomes a captive in the enchanted castle.

Belle and the Beast

Despite her initial fear, Belle begins to form a connection with the Beast and the enchanted servants – Lumière the candelabra, Cogsworth the clock, Mrs. Potts the teapot, and Chip the teacup. As they spend time together, Belle sees the kindness beneath the Beast’s exterior, and the Beast learns to be more compassionate. Their relationship blossoms, nurtured by shared love of books and a growing understanding of each other’s loneliness.

Gaston’s Pursuit and the Villagers’ Attack

Meanwhile, Gaston, enraged by Belle’s rejection and fueled by the villagers’ fear of the Beast, rallies the townspeople to storm the castle and kill the Beast. He sees the Beast as a threat to his potential marriage with Belle and a danger to the village. Gaston manipulates the villagers’ fear and prejudice to incite them into action.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Belle (Emma Watson): A bright and compassionate young woman who seeks adventure and finds herself imprisoned in a cursed castle.
• Beast (Dan Stevens): A cursed prince, initially selfish and monstrous, who must learn to love to break the enchantment.
• Gaston (Luke Evans): A narcissistic and arrogant hunter who seeks Belle’s hand in marriage and becomes the film’s primary antagonist.
• LeFou (Josh Gad): Gaston’s loyal but conflicted sidekick, providing comic relief and eventually turning against his master.
• Maurice (Kevin Kline): Belle’s eccentric but loving father, an inventor and music box maker who becomes imprisoned by the Beast.
• Lumière (Ewan McGregor): The castle’s charming and rebellious maître d’, transformed into a candelabra, who aids Belle and the Beast.
• Cogsworth (Ian McKellen): The castle’s anxious and rule-abiding head of household, transformed into a clock, who serves as Lumiere’s foil.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Belle: “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere! I want it more than I can tell!” – Belle sings this during the ‘Belle’ song, expressing her desire for a life beyond her provincial town.
• Gaston: “How can you read this? There’s no pictures!” – Gaston says this dismissively to Belle, highlighting his lack of interest in books and intellectual pursuits.
• Lumière: “Ma chère Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents… your dinner.” – Lumière says this as he introduces ‘Be Our Guest’, welcoming Belle to the castle.
• Mrs. Potts: “Tale as old as time, true as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly.” – Mrs. Potts sings this during the iconic song ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ reflecting on the unlikely love story.
• Belle: “I love you.” – Belle says this to the Beast as he lays dying, breaking the curse and transforming him back into a prince.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $160,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $504,481,165
• Worldwide Gross: $1,266,115,964

💥 Beauty and the Beast Reviews

Personal Review

As a huge fan of the original, I went in with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Emma Watson was perfect as Belle, and the songs were as magical as I remembered! The ‘Be Our Guest’ scene was a visual spectacle, and I found myself singing along. It brought back so many childhood memories, and I left the theater feeling like a kid again, with a renewed appreciation for the story’s timeless message. Definitely worth watching!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original animated Beauty and the Beast”
  • “Lovers of musicals and fairy tales”
  • “Families looking for a visually stunning and heartwarming movie”
  • “Emma Watson fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of peril (wolf attack)”
  • “Some intense emotional moments (loss of a parent)”
  • “Villainous character with violent tendencies”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Beauty and the Beast offers a lavishly produced, visually impressive update on the classic fairy tale, though it’s weighed down by its slavish devotion to the source material.
• The New York Times: “The new Beauty and the Beast is mostly reasonable entertainment, but it’s also timid and a bit sad. A musical about enchanted objects and the transporting power of love shouldn’t feel so shopworn.
• Empire Magazine: “Solidly entertaining, but lacks the magic and originality of its source. A tale as old as time, told adequately enough, but not brilliantly.

Audience Reactions

The visuals and set design were stunning, bringing the fairy tale to life in a breathtaking way.: Viewers loved the nostalgic feeling and the faithful adaptation of the original animated movie.

Luke Evans as Gaston stole the show with his charismatic and villainous portrayal.: Fans appreciated the talented cast and their performances, especially Emma Watson as Belle.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and faithful adaptation that captures the nostalgia of the original while adding its own modern touches, though some found it lacked originality.

Awards

1. MTV Movie & TV Award (Movie of the Year)- 2017
2. Teen Choice Award (Choice Fantasy Movie)- 2017
3. People’s Choice Award (Favorite Family Movie)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “When director Bill Condon first spoke to Disney about adapting Beauty and the Beast (1991), they weren’t sure they would do this new version as a musical. Condon convinced them that the songs were too good to leave out.”
• “The film’s IMAX release presented the film open-matte, at an aspect ratio of 1.90:1, meaning there was more picture information visible in the top and bottom of the frame than in normal theaters and on home video.”

🖥️ How to Watch Beauty and the Beast?

Beauty and the Beast (2017) is widely available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite services. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Beauty and the Beast, you might like these similar films:

• Cinderella (2015): A live-action adaptation of another classic Disney fairy tale, featuring a strong female lead and a magical transformation.
• Maleficent (2014): Presents a familiar fairy tale from a different perspective, exploring the complexities of a misunderstood character.
• Ever After (1998): A more grounded, realistic take on the Cinderella story set in Renaissance France, emphasizing the heroine’s intelligence and independence.
• Enchanted (2007): A modern fairy tale that blends animation and live-action, poking fun at Disney tropes while still delivering a heartwarming romance.
• The Princess Bride (1987): A cult classic that blends fairy tale elements with humor and adventure, appealing to fans of both fantasy and romance.

🛒 Beauty and the Beast Related Products

• Beauty and the Beast (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]: Relive the magic with the complete soundtrack, featuring original songs and score. The Deluxe Edition includes instrumental versions and behind-the-scenes content.
• Disney Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Rose Jewelry Box: A beautiful jewelry box shaped like the enchanted rose from the movie. Plays ‘Beauty and the Beast’ theme song when opened, making it a perfect keepsake.
• Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Tea Set: This whimsical tea set is inspired by the beloved characters from Beauty and the Beast. Enjoy tea time with Mrs. Potts and Chip!
• Funko Pop! Disney: Beauty and the Beast – Belle (Village): A Funko Pop! figure of Belle in her iconic village dress. A must-have for Funko collectors and Beauty and the Beast enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

Beauty and the Beast features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Beauty and the Beast” – performed by Ariana Grande & John Legend
• “Belle” – performed by Emma Watson, Luke Evans, Josh Gad
• “Be Our Guest” – performed by Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
• “Evermore” – performed by Dan Stevens
• “Gaston” – performed by Luke Evans, Josh Gad

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Beauty and the Beast was PERFECT!

If you’re curious about what other fans thought of the movie, check out this review that raves about how perfect it was! The reviewer seems to have loved every aspect of the film.

Beauty and the Beast Explained By An Asian

Ever wondered how Beauty and the Beast would be perceived from a different cultural lens? This video gives us a glimpse into that, with a hilarious and insightful commentary from an Asian perspective.

Is Beauty and the Beast About Stockholm Syndrome?

Have you ever heard the theory that Belle has Stockholm Syndrome? This video tackles that idea head-on, providing a well-reasoned argument against it. It’s a fascinating watch for anyone interested in the film’s deeper themes.

Beauty and the Beast (1991) – Why The Prince Looks So Weird

If you’ve ever wondered why the Prince in Beauty and the Beast looks a bit… peculiar, this video has the answer. It takes us through the animation process and reveals the story behind his unique design.

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