"The Jungle Book" was nearly entirely a new film, and thus in a league of its own, but barring that one, "Beauty and the Beast" is easily the best Disney live action remake to date. The parts that are identical mostly maintain their pathos and charm, the parts that are new only rarely feel shoehorned and almost always feel like worthwhile additions. The actors are great (though an exuberant Luke Evans steals every scene he's in), and the new songs are actually quite good. The original is still better, but this is the only one-to-one remake Disney's made that I can honestly say I'd on occasion be happy to rewatch instead of the original, simply for the variation. ( )

The original animated Beauty and the Beast by Disney is one of my all time favourite films - the one I go to when I need cheering up. So I was looking forward to seeing the live action remake and wondering quite how it would work. And it mostly did. I don't think it will replace the original in my heart but I enjoyed it a lot. Emma Watson can't really sing but she just about gets away with it. Luke Evans can though - he has lovely voice. It adds in some extra character moments and some extra songs though I did miss "Human Again". An entertaining and cheer you up film. ( )

Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the pure love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. The spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death in Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) have become timeless icons of cinematic wonder.
(source: The Criterion Collection)

Italian edition