“Tale as old as time, that makes you feel like a kid all over again! I think I was more into the movie than my 7-year-old daughter. A worth-it must see for the whole family.”

For those who may not have heard of or watched a Beauty and The Beast movie ever, it is a story of a young girl who lives in a small town and aspires to much more in life than what is offered in her village. She loves to read books and allow the stories to take her to far away places. Her name is Belle, which is fitting and she is trying to be courted by an overly arrogant, egotistical, self-centered pompous man by the name of Gaston. She will have no parts of Gaston, dating or marrying him, or his tricks. She’s a great daughter to her father Maurice, and when his horse returns home without him, she immediately sets out to find him. Here is when she encounters the Beast, who has captured her father. She trades places with him and becomes a “prisoner” in the Beast's castle. Long story short, Gaston and the villagers find the Beast and try to attack him and those living in his castle. I will stop there, as I do not want to give any more away. (Inserts kiddish laugh, Tee-hee-hee!)

Popcorn, slushy, and candy in hand, rushing to get into the theater to get that perfect seat right in the middle, and a quick prayer no one sits by you so you can sing each song with no distractions. We were settled in and excited to finally watch the movie. Shoot my husband even joined us and stayed awake the entire movie. I will admit I was a little leery about the cast and if this would be a disappointment. It crossed my mind that maybe the only really good thing is that most of the characters actually looked like the book and Disney cartoon characters. Then to my surprise, I felt the human characters really became one with the story and I forgot all about my doubts. It didn't hurt that I knew just about every song either to make me forgot as well.

Emma Watson played the role of Belle and Kevin Kline played the role of Maurice, Belle’s father. Luke Evans played Gaston and Josh Gad played Gaston’s sidekick, LeFou. Last but not least, The Beast, who was played by Dan Stevens. They all totally became one with their characters and you couldn’t help but fall in love with Belle, despise Gaston, feel sorry for LeFou yet laughing at his comedic side and mannerisms, become worried about Maurice, and then go on an emotional rollercoaster with The Beast.

One major thing I loved, outside of the great acting in the movie, is that the writers didn’t stray much for the original book and cartoon and the storyline was still on dead on. Of course they added a few things but if you are not a huge Beauty and the Beast fan, you wouldn’t even notice. There have been many remakes of this Disney story from cartoons to real life movies and I must admit this was one of the best. I have never purchased any Beauty and the Beast movies outside of the Disney cartoon movie version but I will definitely purchase this version and add it to my collection of movies. I give it 4.5 out of 5 Swirls!