Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast (2017) is a musical romantic fantasy film that reimagines Disney's classic animated tale as a live-action spectacle. It follows Belle, an intelligent and independent young woman who finds herself imprisoned in an enchanted castle by a monstrous Beast. As Belle navigates her new surroundings, she uncovers the kind heart beneath the Beast's frightening exterior, eventually falling in love and breaking a powerful curse. The film is intended for a family audience, but its PG rating stems from instances of action violence, peril, and frightening imagery. It is generally recommended for older children due to its more intense scenes compared to the original animated version.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighMagic and occult themes are central to the narrative, revolving around an enchantress who casts a transformative curse and later undoes it. The fantastical elements drive the core plot without explicit rituals or dark magic implications beyond the initial curse.
An enchantress named Agathe transforms the selfish Prince into a Beast and his entire staff into enchanted objects, placing a time-sensitive curse linked to a wilting rose. At the story's climax, as the last petal falls and the Beast dies, Agathe reveals herself and uses her magic to break the curse, resurrecting the Beast and restoring all enchanted objects to their human forms.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe 2017 film includes subtle but confirmed LGBTQ representation through the character of LeFou, Gaston's sidekick, depicted as having same-sex attraction towards Gaston. Director Bill Condon referred to a specific moment as an 'exclusively gay moment,' which has been a point of discussion among parents and reviewers.
LeFou consistently displays mannerisms and adoring looks towards Gaston, suggesting a romantic attraction. For instance, he asks Gaston, 'What about us?' when Gaston reveals his intention to marry Belle. In the film's concluding scene, LeFou shares a brief, joyful dance with a male henchman who had previously been seen happily wearing women's clothing, confirming the 'exclusively gay moment' mentioned by the director.
Violence
MediumThe movie contains several instances of action violence, peril, and fight scenes, which are considered more intense than the original animated film. These include physical attacks, the use of weapons, and implied deaths.
Gaston violently punches Belle's father, Maurice, rendering him unconscious, and then ties him to a tree, leaving him to potentially be killed by wolves. During the climactic battle, Gaston shoots the Beast multiple times with a gun, leading to the Beast's death (before his magical resurrection), and Gaston himself falls from a great height to his death.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film features mild romantic elements, including kissing and suggestive flirting. While there is no explicit sexual content, some scenes contain innuendo and physical displays of affection between characters.
Gaston frequently flirts and makes sexual advances toward various women in the village, highlighting his narcissistic and objectifying nature. Several characters engage in kissing, including Belle and the transformed Prince, Lumière and Plumette, and the Wardrobe and Piano, demonstrating romantic affection.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains several frightening and intense scenes, including dangerous animal attacks, the Beast's initial aggressive demeanor, and a confrontational mob, making it more intense than the animated predecessor.
Both Belle and her father, Maurice, face harrowing attacks from snarling wolves in a dark forest, resulting in the Beast sustaining injuries while rescuing Belle. The Beast's initial appearance and temper, characterized by loud roars and anger, particularly when he imprisons Maurice and confronts Belle, can be frightening for younger viewers.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film portrays clear instances of disrespect and rebellion, primarily through Belle's defiance of societal expectations and Gaston's arrogant and dismissive treatment of others, including acts of manipulation and imprisonment.
Belle exhibits consistent defiance against the provincial town's expectations and Gaston's persistent romantic advances, demonstrating her strong independent spirit and desire for a life beyond traditional roles. Gaston demonstrates severe disrespect towards Maurice, mocking him and conspiring to have him committed to an asylum after Maurice speaks of the Beast, and later imprisons Belle to prevent her from saving her father.
Profanity
LowProfanity is minimal and generally mild, with only a few instances of coarse language and one religious reference used in an angry context.
The Beast angrily exclaims, 'You could have damned us all!' when Belle attempts to touch the enchanted rose in the West Wing, conveying a strong sense of peril and consequence. Other mild coarse language and name-calling present in the film include words like 'idiot,' 'fool,' 'crazy,' 'shut up,' and 'hag'.
Substance Use
LowThe film includes incidental depictions of alcohol consumption within a social, period-appropriate context, primarily in a tavern setting, but substance abuse is not a central theme or glorified.
Villagers are shown drinking alcohol at the tavern during lively scenes, such as when Gaston is celebrated in song. Alcohol is also briefly seen being served with dinner in the Beast's castle.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film primarily features a secular fantasy narrative with some background elements of Christian culture, such as a chapel with a crucifix. There are no explicit anti-Christian themes or direct mockery of Christian beliefs within the plot. However, some Christian parent reviews express concern regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ representation as conflicting with their values.
Belle is shown interacting with a priest and receiving books in his chapel, where a large crucifix is visible, indicating a general Christian cultural setting rather than a thematic conflict. While the film's narrative does not actively promote anti-Christian messages, some Christian review outlets voice concern over the movie's inclusion of homosexual references, viewing it as 'annoying and offensive' from their perspective, which reflects a clash of values rather than direct anti-Christian plot points.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Not recommended for children under 8 years, with parental guidance recommended for children up to 12 years, and suitable for children over 12 years. The MPAA rated the film PG for 'some action violence, peril and frightening images.'
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that the 2017 live-action version is notably more intense in its depiction of scary and violent scenes compared to the 1991 animated film. Discussions around themes of inner beauty, kindness, and compassion are central. Some may wish to discuss with children the potentially problematic implication that a woman can 'fix' a dangerous or frightening man, as well as Gaston's misogynistic treatment of women. The film's 129-minute runtime may also be challenging for very young viewers to maintain attention.
Related Reviews
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