In a word, Magnifique. Beauty and the Beast, the 2017 musical romantic fantasy, follows the storyline of the original film, with a few twists of the present day thrown in for a magical movie. We follow young Belle (Emma Watson), the daughter of Maurice, (Kevin Kline) the local artist and inventor. The direction by Bill Coden added slight changes to the original screenplay, making Belle an exquisite inventor that helps her father with his art and creations.  The movie also shows her inventing tools for herself, such as making a washing machine so she has more time to read. Coden adds this in to show the discrimination women had in this era, as Belle is showcased as “strange” and disliked because she strays from the norm of women to be housewives and mothers; having no education. Having Belle be an outcast of the crowd shows her similarity to the Beast ( Dan Stevens) as he is also outcasted, but for his looks and personality which are beastly. Other additions to the film show improved ties with the story. Belle is finally given a  reason for her obsession with roses as it was the flower of her mother. Magical items are thrown into the Beast’s castle in order for the audience and the Beast to understand the story of Belle’s mom while also emphasizing on the Beast’s punishment of the cursed rose.

While all the beloved characters are kept, their personalities were not up to my expectations. Gaston for example, ( Luke Evans) was not as flirtatious as I wanted. Gaston’s lust for other women in the animated movie was a clear sign as to why Belle would not marry him. In this film it is tougher to understand why Belle rejects Gaston’s courtship as he is a gentleman until farther into the movie. Gaston’s assistant, LeFou (Josh Gad), is portrayed as gay. There is nothing wrong with this character development, but I didn’t see that it added anything to the story. This, along with interracial marriages in the Beast’s services, were ways to promote the movie to varying ideas and beliefs.