Movies

Beauty and the Beast

Belle (Emma Watson) dances with the Beast (Dan Stevens) in the live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast.” Rated: L, PG. DISNEY | CNS

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Disney’s live-action adaptation of its beloved 1991 animated film is an imaginative if problematic work, an old-fashioned Hollywood musical with an arresting visual style. The eponymous lovely (Emma Watson) exchanges places with her kidnapped father (Kevin Kline) in a haunted castle inhabited by a furry monster (Dan Stevens), who is in fact a prince transformed by a wicked spell. The same curse turned his staff into household objects, including a candelabra (Ewan McGregor), mantel clock (Ian McKellen), and teapot (Emma Thompson). Only if the odd couple finds true love can the hex be broken, but a vengeful hunter (Luke Evans) stands in the way. The decision of the studio, director Bill Condon and screenwriters Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos to reimagine the hunter’s sidekick (Josh Gad) as Disney’s so-called “first gay character” is a regrettable one and firmly at odds with Christian values. Given the clear intent to make a statement with this character in a film directed at children, the restrictive classification is a caution for viewers of faith, especially parents.
Watch out for: A few scenes of peril and action violence, a benign view of homosexual activity, some sexual innuendo.
Rated: L, limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling.MPAA: PG

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