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Belle

Something There That Wasn’t There Before: Beauty and the Beast 2017

17 March 2017 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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BelleLike many others, I will admit to being afflicted with a bit of “live-action overkill” when it comes to Disney animated classics being “reborn” with live actors, or in the case of Jungle Book, an actor and a lot of computer animation. Disney has waved its magic wand to varying degrees of success when it comes to live-action reboots, and while some did indeed steal my heart (Cinderella), others, well, didn’t. So I approached Beauty and the Beast with great caution, having been such a fan of the original.

The animated Beauty and the Beast premiered a few weeks before my birthday the year I graduated high school. I had been obsessed with the story-line for years, having been entranced by fairy tales all my life, and watching the Ron Perlman / Linda Hamilton television show that wrapped up right before the animated film debuted. I was super into books and reading. I always felt out of place. Typical high school to just-out-of-high school emotions that made Belle such a relatable character. I suppose I should also note that at the time I was very into Phantom of the Opera too, so I kind of had a thing for “unlikely love interests,” I guess. This was also a great era for Disney Animation. Leaps and bounds were being made with technology, and the ballroom scene, quite hyped at the time, did not disappoint. My favorite bit of animation will always be how Belle tilts her head during her opening song, and a little piece of hair falls into her face. It made Belle so real, so perfectly imperfect. So in short, the film had a great impact on me, and I was a little bit worried that Disney was setting itself up to fall short by reinventing the wheel. Boy, was I surprised.

Beauty and the Beast delighted me from start to finish. It was a feast for the eyes and ears. I’ve been trying to put my thoughts into words since I saw a screening of the film on Tuesday, and now as it premieres tonight, I still find myself searching for the best way to convey just how wonderful it was. A thought that kept returning to me as I watched was how Walt Disney himself used to talk about “plussing,” of course referring to his creation of Disneyland park:

“I wanted something live, something that could grow, something I could keep plussing with ideas, you see? The park is that. Not only can I add things, but even the trees will keep growing; the thing will get more beautiful every year. And as I find what the public likes—and when a picture’s finished and I put it out—I find out what they like, or they don’t like, and I have to apply that to some other thing; I can’t change that picture, so that’s why I wanted that park.” — Walt Disney

Now, Walt may have been referring to Disneyland, and even noted that he can’t change a picture once it’s released, but future generations have proven it can be done, and done right, if you have the right folks involved. Something that made this production of Beauty and the Beast so special was the gift of two original production members: Don Hahn and Alan Menken, working to “plus” this version. Don Hahn, a producer of the original (among many other Disney films) returned as a producer. Alan Menken, who wrote the score of the original, working alongside the great lyricist Howard Ashman, had previously written new songs for the Broadway musical adaptation with Tim Rice. Menken wrote even more new music for the 2017 film, which he managed to weave in seamlessly to enhance the story we all knew and loved. Who better to retell the tale than those who gave so much to the original 1991 production?

Beauty and the Beast 2017

Back to plussing, that was my overwhelming take away from this new Beauty and the Beast. The costumes, the sets, the characters and the music were all enhanced and improved upon. I realized, upon listening to the original songs, that most of what we learn about the characters within the animated feature is told to us, through narration or song. We learn that the Beast was a jerk and was punished for that. We hear that the townsfolk think Belle is weird because she reads. In the new film, we get backstory. Belle’s father Maurice isn’t just “crazy old Maurice, always good for a laugh,” he is an artist, who sacrificed the love of one for the safety of another. I really loved Maurice’s portrayal by Kevin Kline. I thought he was the perfect fit and we understand so much more through that performance. We see Belle’s mother, and where she came from. How did they end up in this poor provincial town? You’ll find out in the film. Why was Beast a jerk? You’ll find that out too. The character development is done really well and just enough to lend itself to the story without giving too many details or seeming implausible.

We still learn through song in this version too, with beautiful new music from Alan Menken. I daresay the new songs are my favorite part, with a couple of them causing me to shed a tear or two. “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” sung by Kevin Kline as Maurice is simple and poignant. “Days in the Sun” is a heartbreaking ballad sung by the enchanted castle residents and Belle. And “Evermore” is a show-stopping Broadway-worthy number sung by Beast as he lets Belle go free to help her father. These new songs, and additional lyrics from Howard Ashman that were cut from the original animated film, made me download the soundtrack the minute I left the theatre. The special effects, dance numbers, and sets that go along with many of these musical numbers are so rich and full of fun details, it really makes for a film you want to see again and again, which I think is the perfect tribute to the original.

As for the shocking news that LeFou is a gay character, it was truly much ado about nothing in my opinion. What I saw on screen was someone who had a huge love and admiration for Gaston as a person, and wanted both the best for him, and to be a part of that Gaston persona. But LeFou is also later confused when Gaston’s behavior doesn’t align with what he (or anyone with a heart) thinks is right. LeFou is not simply a bumbling sidekick in this version. He has evolving feelings of right and wrong. You can see him struggling to align his conscience with his adoration of Gaston, leading to an epiphany about Gaston’s personality (granted it takes a while, but he gets it). As for LeFou being gay, if anything, I’d say perhaps he’s bi-, or still just figuring it out. Which is just A-OK to feature in a Disney or any other film. Because, guess what? There are allllll different types of kids in the world, who become all different types of adults in the world, and wouldn’t it be great if all of them saw someone they could identify with on a big screen? Goodness knows I’d much rather have more LeFous in the world than more Gastons, and I’m sure I’m not alone there.

Beauty and the Beast 2017

The other performances did not disappoint, even though I wasn’t initially convinced about Belle’s casting. Emma Watson won me over and became the perfect Belle. I also loved seeing the relationship of Lumière and Plumette, as well as the love between Garderobe and Cadenza. You truly felt for these humans-turned-home-décor-items and their interrupted lives. Don’t even get me started on Chip and Mrs. Potts. As a mom of two older teenagers and one 8 year-old boy, Chip just about killed me. But unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last 25 years, you know it all works out in the end. Oh, one last side note: I’ll take Belle’s flowered “Celebration dress” at the end over the yellow ballgown any day – it was simply stunning!

I left the theatre lifted up and galvanized, as if I’d just seen this tale for the first time (in forever), despite it being as old as time. What a triumph to successfully breathe life (literally) into a beloved story that seemed to hold no place for improvements. The love and veneration of the original is present in abundance. The fresh take and inspired additions show us something there that wasn’t there before, making it an instant classic, yet again.

 

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Filed Under: Disney Movie News & Reviews, Movie Reviews, Movies & Books, Reviews, Top Stories Tagged With: alan menken, Beast, Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Beast 2017, Beauty and the Beast 3D, Beauty and the Beast live action, Beauty and the Beast review, Belle, Don Hahn, Emma Watson, Ewan McG, Gaston, Howard Ashman, LeFou

NEW Beautifully Disney Make Up Set Collection “Unlock the Spell”

27 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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unlockthespell

Wickedly Beautiful was the first collection to debut with Disney’s new makeup line Beautifully Disney, and now the second collection, Unlock the Spell, is about to premier on June 29th, on both Disney coasts! Here are all the details of this new collection and where to get it:

June 29 from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Disney Vault 28 in the Downtown Disney®District as we debut the latest collection in the Beautifully Disney cosmetics line,Unlock The Spell.  The festivities will include mini makeovers of the eyes and lips, all performed by Disney Parks Make-Up Artists!

Beautifully Disney defines timeless beauty through collections of fairytale nostalgia, unlocking harmonious colors. The character inspired collection is the first of its kind for Disney Parks and has been developed to evoke the spirit, beauty, and fantasy of all things Disney. The Unlock the Spell collection creates modern interpretations of Tiana, Belle and Rapunzel. Take a look!

Unlock the Spell mini nail polish set
Unlock the Spell eye shadow set
Unlock the Spell eye shadow set
Tiana Lip Gloss
Tiana Lip Gloss
Rapunzel Lip Gloss
Rapunzel Lip Gloss
Belle Lip Gloss
Belle Lip Gloss
Beautifully Disney brush set
Beautifully Disney brush set

For a limited time, receive a Beautifully Disney 5 Piece Brush Set for $15.00 plus tax with any Beautifully Disney Cosmetic merchandise purchase of $40.00 or more.

Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post discount single transaction amount.  Beautifully Disney 5 Piece Brush Set must be purchased during qualifying purchase transaction.  Offer not valid on previous purchases.  No other discounts apply to promotional item.  Promotion does not apply to purchase of tickets, passes, Disney Dollars or the Disney Gift Card.  Beautifully Disney 5 Piece Brush Set must be returned in the event any of the retail items from the qualifying purchase are returned.  Offer valid while supplies last. Offer subject to change without notice.
The brush set regularly retails for $19.95.

If you are unable to make it to Disney Parks, then be sure to keep an eye out online, as this new collection will debut in early July. Thanks to the Disney Parks Blog for the info!

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Filed Under: Disney Merchandise, Disney Special Events, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Beautifully Disney, Beautifully Disney makeup line, Belle, Disney makeup collection, Disney makeup line, Disney parks, disney vault 28, Downtown Disney, makeup line, Rapunzel, Tiana, unlock the spell, Unlock the Spell makeup collection

Adorable Disney Princess Cupcake Jewelry Pendants

10 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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What better combination is there than Disney princesses AND cupcakes? Throw jewelry into the mix and you’re all set! I found these adorable fan-made creations on etsy from KTJennuary. The seller has them as a set or individual purchase – check them out:

Disney Princess Cupcake pendants
Click the link above for more photos!

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Filed Under: Themed Merchandise Tagged With: Alice in Wonderland, ariel, art, Aurora, Belle, cupcake jewelry, cupcakes, Disney art, Disney fan art, Disney princess jewelry, Disney princesses, fan art, jasmine, Princess cupcakes, princess jewelry, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Tiana, tinker bell, unofficial Disney

GIVEAWAY: Disney On Ice Rockin’ Ever After Tickets for Orlando Performances

24 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Disney on Ice Rockin Ever AfterWe shared Feld Entertainment’s newest Disney on Ice show a few weeks ago -check out video and details at my Rockin’ Ever After post. Now we are giving away FOUR tickets to an Orlando showing of Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After! Simply enter below for your chance to win 4 tickets to a show of your choice on the following dates:

Friday, September 7, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Show takes place at the Amway Center, 400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801

Winner will be selected July 30 – just enter below using the Rafflecopter widget so you don’t even have to leave this page to enter,  “like” or follow anything! Simply click on the “Do It” buttons in the widget below and follow the instructions that pop up. (You must be logged in to Facebook or enter your email for the widget to work) Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY FROM 2012 IS CLOSED

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is more info on ticket prices and a special code for discounted tickets –

$52 Front Row, $37 VIP, $27, $22, $15 (Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees notincluded.) All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale to the public July 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at DisneyOnIce.com or ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone for information only: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.

SPECIAL: Get 4 Tickets for just $48 with code MOM12, valid for specific performances!

Belle Be our Guest
See Belle, Ariel, Rapunzel and Merida at Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After!

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets for my family to attend a performance in exchange for this giveaway. I love their shows and I hope you do too!

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Filed Under: Central Florida Family Entertainment, Disney Movie News & Reviews, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Orlando Area Attractions Tagged With: amway, Amway Center, ariel, Belle, discount Disney on Ice tickets, discount tickets, Disney characters, Disney On Ice, Disney Pixar, Feld Entertainment, little mermaid, Merida, Merida on ice, Orlando, princesses, Rapunzel

Disney On Ice Rockin’ Ever After Features Merida and More-Reader Discount Tix

11 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Disney on Ice Rockin Ever After

After attending the last Disney on Ice show – Dare to Dream, I was totally impressed with the performances and show that was presented. It was a wonderful time and my whole family loved it. Feld Entertainment is now producing their newest Disney on Ice show – Rockin’ Ever After, featuring four of my favorite princesses, including Merida from Brave! Check out the official release below and watch a preview of what was involved in creating the show. Be sure to keep reading for a code for discount tickets for Zannaland readers too.

 

Mickey and Minnie have searched the globe for the hippest and hottest acts to perform in the most sensational talent showcase to rock the ice in Orlando, Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After. Tickets for performances at the Amway Center go on sale July 20 at 10 a.m.

In a new twist on fairytale fun, favorite Disney characters compete to be the next superstar in comical segments leading up to the tales of show stopping princesses – Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle, and Merida from Disney•Pixar’s BRAVE in her ice debut!

Merida on Ice
Merida on ice!

“The most exciting part of bringing a fearless and independent character like Merida to the ice for the first time is knowing that she has a powerful and inspiring message to deliver about finding the courage to determine one’s own fate,”says Producer Nicole Feld. “We think her story translates well to the ice and will really resonate with today’s audience.”

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Rockin’ Ever After remixes the stories of Disney’s most adventurous heroines with upbeat music and energetic choreography that will have audiences singing, dancing and cheering for their beloved Disney idols. Mickey and Minnie encounter the most talented performers in the land with an all-star lineup that includes Sebastian and the Daughters of Triton from The Little Mermaid, the rowdy pub thugs from Tangled and the spunky enchanted servants from Beauty and the Beast. The journey continues to the Scottish highlands where audiences will be captivated and star struck by Merida, as an exhilarating archery contest ensues for the right to marry the fiery redhead.

 

 

“Our challenge in developing Rockin’ Ever After was figuring out how to highlight moments from these beloved stories in a way that reflects the type of entertainment that families value today,” says Producer Juliette Feld. “By pulling elements from the talent show trend on contemporary television, we developed a truly unique way to lead into each fairytale.”

Friday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Amway Center, 400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801
$52 Front Row, $37 VIP, $27, $22, $15 (Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees notincluded.) All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale to the public July 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at DisneyOnIce.com or ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone for information only: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.

SPECIAL: Get 4 Tickets for just $48 with code MOM12, valid for specific performances!

 

 

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Filed Under: Central Florida Family Entertainment, Disney Movie News & Reviews Tagged With: amway, ariel, Belle, discount Disney on Ice tickets, discount tickets, Disney characters, Disney On Ice, Disney Pixar, Feld Entertainment, little mermaid, Merida, Merida on ice, princesses, Rapunzel

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