Like many women, I grew up watching Disney movies. For my Baby Boomer generation, Cinderella was at the top of the list. I still remember waking up one Christmas morning to find a complete collection of Disney albums, which included the story and, more importantly, all of the music. My first trip to a Disney theme park was in 1976. I was an awkward eighth grader who, unlike Peter Pan, wanted to grow up but was caught in the middle of acting mature and squealing with delight on Space Mountain.
Fast forward to a week ago when Disney released its first official trailer of the highly anticipated 2017 release of the live action version of Beauty and the Beast. I may have reverted back to my childhood because I can hardly wait to see this movie—even if it means waiting until next March.
Why all the excitement? Here’s three reasons why I can’t wait for this new adaptation.
- Belle. Need I say more? I can relate to her love of books, and the animated scene of her seeing the castle library is still one of my favorites. She embodies a more modern woman than Cinderella, using her brains and looking beyond a person’s outer appearance as the standard for acceptance. And Emma Watson is portraying Belle. Need I say more?
- Music. The official trailer doesn’t give us many clues about the faces of the characters, but when I heard the music from the animated film, I was thrilled. Those songs embody a “tale as old as time.” In the 80s, composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman helped put Disney back on top with their success of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Disney is smart to keep the music and add to these classics.
- Live action. I have to admit—I love animated movies, and I was quite skeptical about the release of Cinderella and The Jungle Book. I was pleasantly surprised, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this one adapts. It will be interesting to see how Disney portrays Mrs. Potts or Cogsworth. And yes—British accents. It all seems very lovely.