How 'Beauty and the Beast's Live-Action Remake Is Different From the Cartoon
The new live-action version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is essentially a time machine to your childhood. From the second the lights go down, you're transported back to being a little kid, falling in love with Belle, the Beast, and all those enchanted objects all over again, just like it's the first time.
In a lot of ways, this new movie is a perfect retelling of the original. The iconic songs are all there, the costumes are eerily similar to their drawn counterparts, and the magic is just as amazing as you remember it. But there are definitely some notable differences between the two films. Some of those changes will jump right out at you, like a melody you've never heard, while others might take a little longer to realize. So we're here to help you out. Here are 13 ways the new Beauty and the Beast is just a little bit different from that tale as old as time.
giphy1/13Let's begin with the new songs.
This movie felt similar to the Broadway adaptation of 'Beauty and the Beast* because there were a number of added songs. The household objects had a whole new tune, which they sang with Belle. (Did anyone catch the "change in me" lyric? Definitely homage to the Broadway show.) The Beast also had an 11 o'clock ballad that will definitely not leave a dry eye in the house.
giphy2/13In the cartoon, Maurice stumbled upon the castle on the way to an inventor's fair.
The live-action film has him going to the market, a journey that takes over a day to complete. Incidentally, Belle is also an inventor in the new movie (but we'll get to that in a minute).
giphy3/13Um, who could forget the legit WEDDING that Gaston had planned for Belle in the cartoon?
Mercifully, there's no wedding in the live-action movie. Don't get us wrong: Gaston was still pretty aggressive in the live-action film, and still used Maurice to try to get to Belle, but at least he didn't have a three-piece band waiting in her backyard.
giphy4/13LeFou has a lot more material to work with.
In addition to the news that LeFou has an "exclusively gay moment", the character feels way more fleshed out in the live-action film. He has some of the funniest lines in the movie, and his moral arc feels far more considered than the animated version's.
giphy5/13But about Belle's inventions...
The new movie doesn't just depict Belle as an avid lover of books, but also as a resourceful inventor. She creates a washing machine that provides her with more free time for reading...and for teaching other little girls how to read. Unfortunately, this doesn't end well: a lot of villagers get angry at the sight of women reading, and they ruin her laundry.
giphy6/13Maurice's visit to the castle was pretty different.
In the cartoon, the objects help Maurice feel right at home. He puts his feet up on the dog-ottoman by the fire and even sits in the Beast's chair. The live-action film shows a bit of a darker introduction to the castle, and Maurice is much more afraid of the enchanted objects than his animated counterpart.
giphy7/13The objects themselves had some notable differences.
The new movie depicts Plumette as a swan-peacock hybrid, with feathers going all the way up her neck and onto her head. And there are some new faces as well, like Cadenza, a grumpy harpsichord with a toothache who is married to the opera-singing wardrobe.
giphy8/13And speaking of those objects, we need to talk about Belle's reaction in the cartoon.
If you encountered a talking teapot or a dancing clock, don't you think you'd be a little more than just mildly surprised? The animated Belle from 1991 barely blinks an eye when Mrs. Potts enters her bedroom for the first time. But Emma Watson's Belle has a far more relatable and understandable reaction to seeing teapots and candlesticks talk. We would, too.
giphy9/13Believe it or not, the new film has even more magic.
In addition to a magic mirror and enchanted rose, the new movie depicts an enchanted book that allows its reader to travel anywhere in their mind's eye. And Belle's choice of a destination will definitely make you cry.
giphy10/13We finally get some backstory on Belle's mother.
Disney has a way of making us wonder, "Hey, whatever happened to that character's mom?" Beauty and the Beast was no exception, as the animated version left us with a lot of questions about Belle's mother. Luckily, the live-action provided some answers...and sad ones at that. Your move, Little Mermaid.
giphy11/13Chip was a little more adventurous in the cartoon.
Remember when he stowed away in Belle's bag to accompany her back to the village? Unfortunately, he stays inside the castle the whole time in this new film.
giphy12/13Mr. Potts exists!
We repeat: there is a MISTER Potts in the new movie.
giphy13/13Three words: "It's. Hero. Time."
Probably the greatest line of dialogue ever created in the history of dialogue. We know we'll be saying it for years to come.
