Takes itself way too seriously

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

This film kicks the arse of anything Disney ever cleaned up, sanitized, recycled, re-churned and has fed us for years including the most recent fluff starring Emma Watson. They had us believing for years that Belle just up and went to that castle and fell in love with the Beast, yeah right! The fairy-tale belongs to the French people and they sure told their story right in this movie. I want this one in my collection. Oh! And the soundtrack's awesome too. A+

The movie had some really strange moments. In my personal preference, I didn't like that Belle wasn't pure of heart. One of the first signs was when she first caught a glimpse of the Beast when he was standing behind her, her natural reaction was to grab a knife from the table and try to stab him.The next part I really didn't like was when she got angry that she couldn't see her family, she verbally wrecked the beast for not being a man, so much so to make him run away. After all of this, she witnesses him eating and runs in terror. He chases her down and pounces on her. After this sequence in which he both puts her life in danger by weakening the ice, than saves her. She is now in love with him... The family was annoying and not entertaining and I skipped Gaston almost completely. The only part of this movie that really caught me was the golden deer scene. That was a strong plot point, but not strong enough to save the empty relationship of Belle+Beast.

Greetings again from the darkness. If you are looking for dancing tea cups or singing candelabras, you've come to the wrong movie. If you are looking for the Gothic approach to the dark psychological analysis of the original story … again, you've come to the wrong movie. Director Christophe Gans (Silent Hill, 2006) offers up a version that is neither animated Disney (1991) nor Jean Cocteau (1946), though his film does have a visual flair that will likely keep audiences (it's not for very young kids) engaged throughout.The familiar story was first written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villenueve in 1740, however, it's the revised version from Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756 that provides the fairy tale/fable that has been filmed so many times since. The story's genealogy based in France instills a bit more hope and responsibility in a project starring Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydoux and Andre Dussolier, and directed by the Frenchman Gans.Ms. Seydoux is an admirable Belle, and her grace and beauty make for quite the contrast to her needy and entitled sisters. Her time in the castle with the Beast is limited, and therein is the film's biggest weakness. We never really see the transformation of the Beast to a man who repents, turns over a new leaf, and is worthy of love … it all just kind of happens thanks to the beautiful dresses. Mr. Gans and Sandra Vo-Anh co-wrote the script, and this misstep deflates the core of the story. We are on our own to interpret the messages of class warfare, greed, and judging others by looks. The focus instead is on the visual presentation, which at times is spectacular.The set design and costumes are especially impressive and elaborate, and though the look of the Beast may not be precisely to your imagination, the film isn't shy about putting him front and center with the camera. Vincent Cassel's time as the Prince is pretty well done, and the CGI and explanation of the gold doe, nymph of the forest, magic healing water, pack of beagles and the curse are enough to move the story along … even if some details are lacking.A bedtime story being read to two young kids is the framing device and might explain why the fantasy world is emphasized over the dark psychological undertones (more prevalent in the Cocteau version). While some might view the ending as somewhat mawkish, it's really nice to see happily-ever-after is not twisted into some contemporary take on independence.

'La belle et la bête' (2014).First time I saw this movie I had Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' (TOP-class) too much in my mind. I disliked 'La belle et la bête' (2014). But the last one kept spinning in my head. After 3 times looking at this movie and trying to understand the French version (Dutch subtitled) I must say it is at least worth an 8-stars score. 'Two' points missing because of the too heavy 'anger wood' scenes in the end. 'Lord of the Rings' type animation. And so ending too far from the French fairytale. Other comments may be: Belle, Léa Seydoux: Typical French beauty with sad eyes. Beast, Vincent Cassel: Not the best casting choice. 'Little doggies' in the castle are weak animations. Belle's two sisters, 'too dombo' casting and too much dressed down. Holding a golden arrow in her hand on her dying ladies body is 'cheapness' and far from 'reality'.But, still for me this movie is a must have in my library.