Beauty and the Beast live-action remake is ambitious, confident, charming — and the perfect family film

Beauty and the Beast: first review

(PG) 129 mins

4/5 stars

I’LL level with you — I was not looking forward to this film.

On the face of it, there seemed little to offer this middle-class, middle-aged man, especially as I was crammed into a screening surrounded by massively excited Disney princesses (of all ages).

But 129 minutes later, you may as well have passed me a tiara.

I was completely sold. What a lovely film.

If this is where we’re heading with live-action remakes then we are in for a plethora of delights.

Disney’s new take on its 1991 animated version is ambitious, confident, charming and while not without faults, pretty much the perfect family film.

First off — let’s talk about Emma Watson.

Her casting as Belle was controversial, but within ten minutes you can’t think of anyone better.

Yes, there are a few wobbly moments, but to be frank, she absolutely nails it.

Dan Stevens is perfectly beastly (the CGI beast is pleasantly expressive), there’s a terrific double act in Luke Evans as Gaston and Josh Gad as LeFou, and any film with Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci and Emma Thompson in support roles can’t do much wrong.

Forget the furore over its gay character, the interracial kiss (between a candelabra and a feather duster FFS) and accusations of Stockholm Syndrome — just enjoy the spectacle.

If you like smiling and feeling warm inside, get in line.

The songs are lovely, the sets breathtaking and the whole package is a delight.

I walked in with trepidation — yet skipped out singing Be Our Guest.