
Thoughts on Beauty and the Beast
“A tale as old as time…”
Yes, the song is referring to a boy and girl falling in love, but there are so many other stories to take away from this Movie.
We all have a need for redemption.
It is ok to be the “peculiar” girl with “her nose stuck in a book”.
We all need people to encourage us.
When we make decisions, either bad or good, they effect everyone around us.
As a parent, or other significant adult in a child’s life, we need to be teaching what God’s word has to say about each of these themes in this or any movie, TV show, song or story. By discussing them we are teaching our ever growing children how to later make their own decisions in regard to what movies they see, books they read, music they listen to, or shows they watch.
Belle is the odd girl out. She is clearly different from every person in the village. The village scene reminds me of walking in the hall of middle school or high school or, sadly, the playground at a elementary school.
Good questions to ask here may be…
Do you ever feel different or odd at school?
Do people ever treat you like Belle? How and When?
Things to remind your child…
They are a unique and amazing individual created by God with a purpose.
Psalm 139 is a great place to start.
The Beast, Gaston and others in the story make poor decisions that effect everyone around them. Much of the movie revolves around trying to fix the consequences of those decisions.
Questions to ask your child…
What decisions did each character make?
What were the consequences of those decisions?
Examples:
The prince was unkind and selfish which led him to being cursed.
Gaston was vain and selfish which caused him to treat people poorly, which led to his death.
Belle persevered under hard circumstances which led to eventual freedom for a lot of people.
Things to remind your child…
Their decisions and attitudes matter. Proverbs 20:11
We all mess up. Romans 3:23
Jesus is there to save us when we mess up. John 3:16

There are so many more teaching moments in this movie. Ask God to give you wisdom to impart these things to you children. Deuteronomy 11:19
The Movie is beautifully crafted. The music is familiar and well performed. It is a faithful re-telling of the original. It is everything you want in a fairy tale and in a princess story.
My 17 year old immediately bought the sound track. (Well, as soon as she could talk me out of an iTunes card.)
The fighting scenes are intense, especially since they are live action (real people) not animated and may be too intense for younger children. There is also the aspect of the larger-than-life feel that comes with a movie on the big screen.
(Spoiler Alert) One particular intense scene is when the personified objects “die” and become just objects. The Beast is shot and maimed. Gaston falls to his death.
We both cried a few times.
To speak to the homosexual reference question. There are two moments that could be taken as a nod to same sex relations. They are discussed in the Plugged-in review that can be found here: http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/beauty-and-the-beast-2017/
You need to be ready to answer questions associated with these moments, if the kids ask or take the initiative to explain what is going on and give your views.
So… all that said, would I take my elementary aged kids to see this movie? Yes.
The wonder and excitement they will have will be priceless and memorable. Also, stories of love and sacrifice prepare their hearts to receive and believe the greatest story of true love and sacrifice ever told…That of Jesus and his bride.

You are so loved…
(Pictures were taken during Bri’s 16th birthday trip to Walt Disney World)