'Beauty and the Beast' Review, Plus Interviews With The Cast

The live-action remake of Disney's 1991 "Beauty and the Beast" had its Hollywood film premiere Thursday March 2, at The El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. Patch was there to catch up with the cast and to give you an exclusive review of the updated fairy tale before it hits theaters March 17.

Directed by Bill Condon, "Beauty and the Beast" encapsulates love, music and happiness. Like the original, the movie opens with the story of a prince who's punished by an Enchantress for his selfishness. Her curse transforms him into the Beast (Dan Stevens) and the castle's residents into inanimate objects. (Ewan McGregor stars as candlestick Lumiere and Emma Thompson as motherly teapot Mrs. Potts.) The only way for the curse to be lifted? For this terrifying creature to find unconditional love.

Enter Belle (Emma Watson), a young girl living in a village outside of Paris. She's smart and full of life, but when her father Maurice (Kevin Kline) is taken hostage in the cursed castle, Belle must save him by taking his place as the Beast's lifelong prisoner. We all know how the story ends, but the story's timeless lesson romantically spoken by Shakespeare will never get old: "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

Watson is the "Belle" we have been waiting for all these years — and Hermione can sing! The chemistry between her and Stevens is electrifying, the Beast dazzling us as well with his transformation from conceited prince to selfless protector. And of course there's the music! The score is mellifluous and brings forth hope, joy and a dazzling array of entertainment to cheer on.

All in all, "Beauty and the Beast" is poetically enchanting, uplifting and begs to be seen over and over again.

Watch stars talk about Watson as Belle:

Watch the official "Beauty and the Beast" trailer:

Photo credit: Jesse Grant / Stringer / Getty Images