Beauty and the Beast Movie Review 2017

If someone told me, even a couple of years ago, that I would be writing a review about a live action Disney movie I would have laughed out loud.

I debated whether or not to write about this.  In the end I decided to just go for it.  

I had read a lot of reviews about this movie before it even came out.  Then all the boycott posts and articles came out.  I always take these things with a grain of salt. Ever wonder where that expression came from? Click here to find out.  I love facts like this.

While perusing Facebook one day, I came across an article that someone had shared. Someone whom I have great trust in his teachings from previous experience. Here is the article.

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/why-christians-can-calm-down-about-beauty-and-the-beast.html?utm_content=buffer7a930

Now I'm not saying I would even write what this person did or have the same exact feelings about it as they do, but I gotta tell you that they make a lot of good points in it.

I was going to go see Beauty and the Beast with my daughter(who is 6) along with other family members, without even reading the reviews.  Let's be honest, reviews are subjective in nature.  We all see movies in a different way.  I'm not a critic, in the professional sense.  I just like to be entertained.  Maybe I have low expectations, but I think going into a movie with another person's review on your mind might not be the best idea.  

NOTE: That doesn't mean that I wont look at a trusted review of a movie from Plugged In by Focus on the Family before taking my kids to a movie I think might not be appropriate, or even going to the movies with my husband and checking for nudity or sex. 

So, where does this leave us?  Well, as a parent there are some things that can wait until they are an appropriate age to discuss, depending on the child of course.  In this case, it's a Disney movie and as adults I think we over think things.  My daughter didn't ask any questions about the "controversial" scenes in the movie. The adults with me and around me giggled a little, and so did I.  

This is the world we live in people.  Are we going to hide from the world or try to be lights in it?  Look at this as an opportunity to teach your children how you and your family feel and how God sees things in our society today.  Teach them that when something is different we aren't called to judge.  Teach them that we are called to love, no matter how we feel about something.  Be a light, heck be a lighthouse for your kids.  If WE don't show them the way and talk with them about things going on in society then someone else will, believe me, and then you never know what information they are receiving.

One more note about the movie.... did you see the original?  Lefou was over the top in that one too, I think we just didn't hear much about it then because they were animated characters. 

I love Beauty and the Beast, it is my all time favorite Disney Animated Film. Maybe that is one of the reasons I wasn't going to let someone tell me how to think about it. Then again, when do I ever let someone else tell me how to think? :)

If you don't know how to talk with your kids about these things, you aren't ready yet? Don't see it until you do know. Decide how you feel about these subjects and how you are going to explain it to your kids.  There are a lot of good resources out there. This one is put out by Focus on the Family: True Tolerance.  I love the scenarios and the responses, how loving and kind they are.

I want to encourage you to look up the original definition of Tolerance, not the current one.  You don't have to approve of something to tolerate(or endure) it.  It's okay to have differences of opinions as long as you are respectful of other people in the process.  Be kind, be loving.  

Go see Beauty and the Beast, but be ready to talk if it comes up.  I bet it won't if your kid is under a certain age.

Until next time!

1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.