“Tale
as old as time”, this is absolutely true with this beloved
fairy-tale and classic Disney movie.
For
the past months, this timeless classic has been getting lots of bad
talk. Why? Because of what was said by the producer Bill Condon and
actor Josh Gad. They had mentioned how this movie had a “gay
scene” and a big surprise for same sex couples. This led a
drive-in theater to cancel the showing, because the owner felt that
this would not be appropriate if Jesus were sitting with them; a
theater in Malaysia to not show it, unless Disney cut out the gay
scene; and multiple families who forbid from going to see this movie.
While
I exhort all parties for standing up for Biblical principles, I must
say that I personally believe all this talk, and boycotting has been
blown out of proportion.
I
have read articles that have stated how there is lots witchcraft (and
that the Enchantress is pure evil), sodomy, bestiality, and every
other “abomination” they could find.
My
goal in this is to provide an absolute honest review on this timeless
classic.
There
is a curse and lots of witchcraft?
The
Enchantress. In the movie, the Enchantress is portrayed as “a
filthy old hag”. When ignored by the prince, she transforms into a
beautiful young woman. This is not a picture of evil, it’s a
picture of beauty isn’t external, but internal.
The
curse.
Yes
there is mention of a curse, but we do not hear it being given. We
see power coming out of her hands in order to transform the prince
into the beast. Why was the curse given? So he could learn to love,
and it was a lesson to conquer pride.
Lots
of witchcraft.
People
refer to the transformation of humans to household items as
witchcraft. What is portrayed in the movie is not witchcraft.
Witchcraft is “the practice of magic, especially black magic;
the use of spells and the invocation of spirits”.
There
is no black magic used at all in this movie.
Movies
with witchcraft are: Hocus Pocus;
Harry Potter; The
Black Cauldron; etc.
There
is sodomy?
I
was one of the ones who got disappointed that the producer spoke up
positively to there being sodomy in this movie. After the premiere,
we were told what the spots were, and where they were.
What
others aren’t willing to read about, is that the producer Bill
Condon and actor Josh Gad wish that they could take back all that
they said.
Gaston
looks at himself in the mirror and says “I’m not finished with
you yet”, Lefou follows after and says “Me neither”.
Lefou
wasn’t referring to NOT being finished with his master, but
himself.
Lefou
(Josh Gad) was singing, dancing, complimenting Gaston
(Luke Evans), and then wrapped himself up in Gaston’s arms and
asked “too much?” to which Gaston replied “Yeeeeah”. This
was no different than the original. Lefou wasn’t showing his gay
side, worried that he had gone overboard with wrapping himself up in
the arms of his master. He wanted to know if he had gone overboard
with everything else (the singing, dancing, compliments, etc.)
Lefou
dancing with a man dressed as a woman.
This
was NOT in the movie, however we DO see him dancing with another man.
Despite
what others have said in regards to this being THE SCENE, this was
not what all the hype portrayed it as. Yes he (Lefou) was dancing
with another man (one of whom was attacked by the wardrobe), but
let’s put it into context. The dance to which everyone was dancing
was one where you rotate and switch partners. Lefou and the man
ended up together, not because they had planned it, but because they
got lost in all the switching and rotating … wouldn’t you??
Their faces were that of “umm...why am I dancing with you?”
rather than “*sigh* I wanna be gay!”.
Everyone
said that Lefou wasn’t sure about his sexuality and that’s why he
hasn’t snatched up a girl. Gaston asks Lefou “why haven’t you
snatched a girl up?” to this Lefou replies “Well…uh...I’ve
been told I’m too clingy.” There you have it folks … straight
from the “horses” mouth.
Also,
Lefou in French means “the crazy”, and that’s what Lefou
portrays – a crazy, goofy, hilarious guy.
There
is bestiality?
This
was a new view, that I hadn’t heard of until this year. When I
first read about it, I had to shake my head - because that wasn’t
the intent.
What
is portrayed in Belle is who I wanna be when I grow up (and if I am
to help a beast break a curse, then so be it lol). She is a perfect
picture of who a true young lady should be.
Whether
Belle “fell in love” with a beast, is not the point to dwell on.
What should be taken from this, is a beautiful picture of what true
compassion, loyalty, friendship, unconditional love, self sacrifice
is really like.
Overall
review?
Disney
did a fantastic job bringing the timeless classic fairy-tale to life
– once again. In my personal opinion, this was better than the
original (please don’t hate me!).
Everyone
involved in creating this film did such an amazing job keeping it
close to the original. There was one new scene, but that was
it. Everyone deserves a round of applause with this movie, and I
can’t wait to see the Disney Mulan when it comes out! (there
will be a review on that as well).
I
feel sorry for those who love Beauty and the Beast, but won’t go
see this wonderful movie. We are all entitled to our own opinion,
and I wanted to voice mine. It is not what all the hype made
it out to be.
Before
I close...
I
would love for all of us to put aside all of our legalistic
tenancies, and consider this for a moment.
The
2017 Beauty and the Beast isn’t the first film to have the
Enchantress, “bestiality”, “witchcraft”, “sodomy
tenancies”, etc.
The
fairy-tale that this was based upon had all the above and so does the
1991 Disney classic. If we are going to forgo watching the new
Beauty and the Beast, then we shouldn’t read the fairy-tale or
watch the old Disney film.
Lefou
has always been Lefou (and will always be himself); Belle will always
be willing to love Beast despite what he looks like; and the
Enchantress will always be known as the “filthy old hag” who
cursed the prince and his castle.
Yes
the producer and Josh Gad said what they said, but they have also
regretted what they said and mention that it was blown out of
proportion.
*
* * * * * *
If
you think a transformation is witchcraft, then please stop watching
Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Why? Because Eustice is
transformed into a dragon, and then Aslan transforms him into a boy.
Also,
please stop watching Cinderella. Because the with the words
“Bipidee, bopadee, boo” the fairy godmother transforms
Cinderella's ragged dress into a beautiful ballgown.
If
you think a curse is witchcraft, then please stop watching Sleeping
Beauty. Because Maleficent curses Aurora as a baby.
Please
stop watching Pirates of the Caribbean. Because there is
indeed a curse in these as well.
Oh
and please stop watching the Night at the Museum trilogy.
Because there is a curse in it, the curse of Ahkmenrah.
If
you don’t agree with witchcraft, then please stop watching The
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. Because,
this movie has “black magic”, as Aslan himself states when he
meets with the White Witch at his camp.
Also,
please stop watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Because
the Evil Queen is indeed a true witch (black cauldron, says a spell,
and everything) and poisons the apple.
Oh,
and I can’t forget Mary Poppins. Because she “magically”
gets the job done; takes the children and Bert on a journey in a
painting; they laugh on the ceiling; etc.
If
you think sodomy is wrong, then please stop watching Downton
Abbey. Because there is sodomy practiced and visible in this
series.
I’m
sure you are confused at why I would even encourage you
to stop watching these timeless Disney classics, and other fun &
imaginative movies. It’s not that I’m telling you to stop
watching them, I’m merely showing you that much like faith, you
can’t pick and choose what you are and aren’t going to believe.
It’s either all or nothing.
When
you say you won’t watch the new Beauty and the Beast, because of
one thing or another, then it needs to carry through with the rest of
your movie choices.
I
know this movie review is quite a deciding factor in whether or not
you’ll continue reading my blog. I’m sure some of you will not
agree with me, but I felt like this review needed to be written.
However,
I hope that some of you reading this found it helpful in deciding
whether or not to go and see it, or waiting for it to come out at Red
Box.
