--- title: "Beauty and the Beast: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017" critics_score: 71 critics_reviews: 31 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Beauty and the Beast (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 31 reviews: 18 positive, 11 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics welcome Beauty and the Beast as a warmly played, lavish musical remake, with praise clustering around the production design, supporting cast and familiar songs. ‘Be Our Guest’ is the most frequently singled-out number, admired for its elaborate choreography and effects. Emma Watson’s independent-minded Belle and Dan Stevens’ thoughtful Beast earn substantial support, particularly for their romance. Several reviews also welcome the emphasis on inclusion and Belle’s greater independence. The main divide concerns how much the remake gains by expanding its animated predecessor. Admirers find the additions thoughtful; less persuaded critics hear weaker new songs and find the extra backstories slow the film down. Responses range widely, from enthusiastic approval to Film Comment’s complaint that the heavy-handed additions and ornate design damage the story’s emotional core. Even some favourable reviews question the length, while the CGI characters strike others as less expressive than their animated counterparts. ## The Times — Kate Muir Rating ★★★★★. 17 March 2017. The critic calls the live-action remake an enchanting, scene-for-scene tribute to the 1991 classic that adds zing and subtlety, with convincing motion-capture for the Beast and lavish Busby Berkeley dance numbers. They single out the CGI household objects, diverse casting and escapism as making it better than the original in places. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/beauty-and-the-beast-r632vkmh6) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 89/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic calls the film a joyful and enchanting live-action/digital hybrid that feels unforced and fresh, with romance that neither winks nor panders. He singles out the dazzling visual flights matched to the songs, especially the choreographic extravaganza of 'Be Our Guest,' for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-review.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 88/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic describes it as an enchanting, emotional and exuberant musical makeover that adds to the canon with a burst of life, praising the barnstorming numbers, feisty heroine and poignant message of inclusion. Luke Evans' menacing Gaston and Josh Gad's scene-stealing Le Fou are highlighted amid the rococo fantasy. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-review/5115535.article) ## Empire — Nick de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 86/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2017. The critic says the film rarely puts a foot wrong, following the blueprint faithfully but not slavishly while adding new elements, with strong casting of Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, standout sequences like Be Our Guest, and an unabashed musical energy that makes the extra runtime fly by. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/beauty-beast-2-review/) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic calls it a delightful live-action recreation of a familiar fable with irresistible spirit and pizzazz, a nostalgia rush and roaring success that clings closely to the 1991 template while well-judging additions by director Bill Condon, with warmth, craft, and finely tuned entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/beauty-and-the-beast-2017-review/) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/4/3. 3 March 2017. The critic calls it a total delight that plays the material straight but succeeds as a luxuriant refit extending Disney's winning streak, with subtextual themes of inclusion hardwired in. Watson's controlled performance as an independent Belle is praised for suiting the story's message about choosing one's destiny. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. The critic deems it a spectacular success in production values and design, though not quite as captivating as the 1991 animated classic, applauding the new songs, showstopping 'Be Our Guest' and incorporation of tolerance and feminism themes. Extended backstories for characters like LeFou are noted as tweaks. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-hwu0oo/beauty-and-the-beast/) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★. 16 March 2017. The critic praises the film as a delight from start to finish, a remarkably faithful recreation that brilliantly expands on the original with new songs, a deepened father backstory, charming performances, state-of-the-art effects, stunning production design, and musical numbers delivered with gusto. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/beauty-and-the-beast-review-53133) ## The Telegraph — Tim Robey Rating 4/5. 17 March 2017. The critic praises the film as a generous, bells-and-whistles musical update that succeeds where other Disney live-action remakes have not, with Emma Watson dazzling and show-stopping numbers like Be Our Guest. They single out Ewan McGregor’s delightful Lumière and the sugar-rush finale as highlights of a chocolate-box spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/beauty-beast-review-emma-watson-dazzles-disneys-show-stopping/) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 4/5. 3 March 2017. The critic praises the lively, modern adaptation with 2017 gender politics and a diverse cast done with integrity, highlighting the lavish musical spectacle and strong performances from Watson and the voice cast. Minor notes include the Beast feeling a bit drippy and questions over Belle's post-ending role. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-3) ## RogerEbert.com — Susan Wloszczyna Fi1m's normalised score 77/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake a dazzling, old-fashioned musical spectacle that is a beauty to behold but suffers from blockbuster bloat as a denser, longer confection than the original animated film. She singles out the inclusive view of love (including a mild same-sex moment) and the strong musical numbers like 'Be Our Guest' for praise, while noting the new songs and some added elements do not match the originals. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-2017) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic finds the film a touching, eminently watchable, at times slightly awkward mixture of re-creation and reimagining that justifies its existence but never totally convinces as something the world was waiting for. He singles out Dan Stevens' downbeat, morose Beast and the authentic-feeling romance for praise, while noting the material loses some spryness outside animation and the effects-heavy sequences can feel standard or exhausting. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-review-emma-watson-1202001341/) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 March 2017. The critic praises the film as an optimistic balm offering an idealized alternate universe of diversity and harmony, with visually satisfying set pieces and a sense of shared burden among characters as its greatest triumph. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 71/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake a visually lavish musical confection with intricate production values and strong musical numbers like 'Gaston,' but notes it can feel a little bland and lacking depth once the sugar rush wears off. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/beauty-beast-review-982373/) ## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman Fi1m's normalised score 69/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2017. The critic finds it an engaging film thanks largely to Emma Watson’s casting as a proto-feminist Belle, with Dan Stevens projecting pathos as the Beast, but notes it prefers nostalgia over adventure and questions the point of remaking a flawless original. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/beauty-and-the-beast-review-simply-the-beast-a3680316.html) ## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd Rating C+. 15 March 2017. The remake is a shiny but unoriginal nostalgia object that faithfully recycles the original plot and songs without adding much new, succeeding mainly in bulking up the central romance but suffering from lead-footed direction and lost charm in the CGI elements. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/why-remake-beauty-and-the-beast-and-do-nothing-new-with-1798190749) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 61/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2017. The critic finds the film delectably done with overwhelming dexterity and thoroughly marketed magic but notes it feels looser and beefier than the 1991 version, lacking its compacted delights, and ultimately melts away like cotton candy once the spell is broken. He singles out the sheer production values and some performances (like Dan Stevens as the Beast) for note while critiquing the added songs and lack of pep in the lead. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/27/beauty-and-the-beast-and-t2-trainspotting) ## Sight and Sound — Kate Stables Fi1m's normalised score 58/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2017. The critic finds the lavish live-action update a glossy, respectful tribute rather than a fresh rethink, with over-the-top production design and musical numbers that lose the original's playfulness. Dan Stevens' thoughtful Beast performance is singled out as a highlight amid an otherwise toothless story. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/beauty-beast-review-magnificent-monster-with-no-teeth) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 51/100 (inferred from the text). 14 March 2017. The critic views the remake as a gilded monument to the more-is-more principle, a leisurely sprawling epic of extravagance that pads and upholsters the original with cinematic excess. He singles out the lavish decor and some rapport between Watson and Stevens (especially the ballroom dance) for note, while complaining about the slack tempos, numbing choreography, and uninspired additions like new songs. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-beauty-and-the-beast-review-20170316-story.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 48/100 (inferred from the text). 19 March 2017. The critic finds Bill Condon’s live-action remake ornate to the point of desperation, with spectacle and design that become overbearing. They single out the excessive gilt, flourishes and Busby Berkeley-style dance numbers as signs of a film too eager to justify its existence, contrasting it unfavourably with Jean Cocteau’s more restrained version. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/19/beauty-and-the-beast-review-undeniably-arresting-emma-watson-josh-gad-bill-condon) ## Film Comment — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 16 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake bloated, awkward, and aggressive compared to the graceful 1991 animated original. They single out the heavy-handed additions and maximalist rococo design as detracting from the story's emotional core. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-beauty-beast/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake a dazzling Disney musical beauty and a pure delight thanks to its joy, eye-popping visuals, soaring vocals, and craftsmanship in the hands of director Bill Condon. They single out the meticulously cast supporting ensemble—especially the voices and performances in the “Be Our Guest” number—and the soaring Alan Menken score for praise. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-review-emma-watson-dan-stevens-disney-musical-video-1202035789/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 17 March 2017. The critic calls the film very good overall, praising its sumptuous production, intelligent expansions on the source, and strong supporting performances. They single out the lavish 'Be Our Guest' sequence and high production values for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-2017-review/) ## Digital Spy — Rosie Fletcher Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2017. The critic describes it as perfect wish fulfilment and the fairytale needed right now, highlighting its warmth, romance, and progressive touches. They single out Emma Watson's charming performance as Belle and the spectacular 'Be Our Guest' number. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a822580/beauty-and-the-beast-review/) ## Polygon — Julia Alexander Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2017. The film is charming and uses the talents of its lead actors to successfully recreate and redesign the classic story, with the best part being the palpable chemistry and whimsical romance between Belle and Beast. Despite some flaws with supporting characters and occasional over-the-top elements, it captures the heart of the original while feeling entirely new. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2017/3/3/14800974/beauty-and-the-beast-review/) ## Consequence Rating C+. 17 March 2017. The film is a kindhearted but over-dressed tribute that is too close to the 1991 classic to justify its additions, stretching the runtime with new songs and backstories that distract from the central romance and music. It could have done much worse but does not strive to reinvent or top the original in any meaningful way. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2017/03/film-review-beauty-and-the-beast/) ## NME — Nick Levine Rating 3/5. 14 March 2017. The critic calls it a decent remake that delivers premium nostalgia with modern flourishes and does its job nicely. They single out the voice casting of the enchanted objects and the subtly revisionist gay moment for Le Fou. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-film-review-2016859) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating C. 16 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake the weakest of recent Disney adaptations, with additions like new songs and plot tweaks slowing the film and detracting from the central love story despite lavish production values. The CGI Beast is particularly unconvincing, creating a barrier between character and audience. [Read the review](https://collider.com/beauty-and-the-beast-review/) ## /Film — Karen Han Rating 4 out of 10. 17 March 2017. The critic finds the live-action remake padded and overly reliant on nostalgia rather than forging a fresh identity. Luke Evans as Gaston stands out as the one performance that captures the spirit of the original. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/549848/beauty-and-the-beast-review/) ## Paste — Jacob Oller Rating 6.1. 16 March 2017. The remake hits all the notes of the original slowly and without distinction, with new components jammed into an older model that cannot use them effectively, resulting in a lumbering fairy tale overburdened by expectation. The leads are buried beneath charming living furniture and spotty song mixes. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/beauty-and-the-beast/beauty-and-the-beast) ## The Ringer — K. Austin Collins Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 17 March 2017. The film hits the right nostalgic notes but is plain boring for kowtowing to what adult nostalgics want, adding dramatic depth and backstories where the story never needed them and preferring familiarity over risk or whimsy. It improves slightly on Belle but overall feels normie and adult-oriented. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/03/17/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-review-2231ba0ec734) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/beauty-and-the-beast-2017.md