In the original movie, Belle is considered “odd” and “weird” due to the fact that she did not conform to the social norms of her town, but rather liked to read and be independent from everyone else. Being that Santa Barbara is famous for its beaches and outdoor recreation, it would be quite odd for people in the town to see a beautiful girl who didn’t want to soak up the sun, but who rather had an obsession to learn more about technology and to constantly expand her knowledge in computers. Belle would fit this character perfectly in modern day times. People would notice her because of her obvious beauty, but would not understand her desires to learn instead of having fun and being a normal California girl.
Stereotypical hot guys in California are featured as well built, tan, with sandy blonde hair holding a surfboard. Women flock to these men because of their beauty, both in and out of the water, with and without clothing. A modern day Gaston would fit this description. Being the best and most handsome surfer in town, all the women in Santa Barbara want a piece of him, despite his cocky attitude due to his many surfing championships and dashing good looks. The only girl in town that doesn’t pay attention to him happens to be the most beautiful girl, Belle. Even though she is a little on the odd side, Gaston doesn’t care, and wants Belle due to the fact that she is a challenge to him and she is unbelievably sexy with her beautiful brown hair and fashionable black-rimmed glasses.
Instead of a huge castle in France, Beast’s mansion is Neverland, which is also located in Santa Barbara. And can you guess who the Beast would be? None other than the bleach-skinned, plastic surgery disaster, Michael Jackson! (Rest in peace.) Belle had been doing some research on Neverland, and the place itself sparked her interest. Since the area is heavily loaded with security, she sneaks into Neverland. When she finally gets in, she sees that a little boy is being held captive inside Neverland, and tries to help him escape. Beast (Michael), however, catches her in the act, and exclaims that the boy is his prisoner and is not to be touched. However Belle, being the selfless, beautiful person she is, offers to take the little boy’s place as Beast’s prisoner. Beast agrees, and lets the little boy go. Belle is angry due to the fact that the Beast would hold anyone captive, yet she is also scared. After a while, Beast starts to warm up to Belle, and offers her full access to his music studio and computer labs, where she is free to surf the internet and tamper with other electronics that she might have never done before. Both Belle and the Beast fall in love, they kiss, and Beast turns back into the cute black Michael Jackson that he was before.
This story has basically turned into a modern day parody of Beauty and the Beast. However, all of the factors that play into it make perfect sense in that the plot is now completely modernized in a way that people understand. In a way, this is Laguna Beach meets Scary Movie/Date Movie/Vampires Suck (examples of parody movies). It is hilarious in that people grew up knowing the original plot of Beauty and the Beast, yet it is transformed into characters and settings that represent social norms of today’s society. Although this might be seen as outrageous and somewhat crazy, this new movie would display what today’s America is all about – freedom to express yourself and new ideas in whatever shape or form. But what other ways could Disney's Beauty and the Beast be modernized to fit today's culture?
Links:
Disneyland, California: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/category/disneyland-resort/disneys-california-adventure-park/
Radio Disney, Los Angeles: http://radio.disney.go.com/music/yourstation/losangeles/index.html
Beauty and the Beast Musical in Santa Barbara, California: http://www.santabarbaraca.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=8317
I loved your interesting choice for a storyline and very much enjoyed how you used real life examples and descriptions that are formed based on the standard set today!
ReplyDeleteHere’s some food for thought. I'm not sure if you've heard of the latest attempt at modernizing the classic Disney film…
Beastly Synopsis: Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) has it all – looks, intelligence, wealth and opportunity – and a wicked cruel streak. Prone to mocking and humiliating “aggressively unattractive” classmates, he zeroes in on Goth classmate Kendra, inviting her to the school’s extravagant environmental bash. Kendra accepts, and, true to form, Kyle blows her off in a particularly savage fashion. She retaliates by casting a spell that physically transforms him into everything he despises. Enraged by his horrible and unrecognizable appearance he confronts Kendra and learns that the only solution to the curse is to find someone that will love him as he is – a task he considers impossible.
Repulsed by his appearance, Kyle’s callous father banishes him to Brooklyn with a sympathetic housekeeper and blind tutor. As Kyle ponders how to overcome the curse and get his old life back, he chances upon a drug addict in the act of killing a threatening dealer. Seizing the opportunity, Kyle promises the addict freedom and safety for his daughter, Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) if she will consent to live in Kyle’s Brooklyn home. Thus begins Kyle’s journey to discover true love in this hyper-modern retelling of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story.
As I described in both yours and my post (courtneybz.tumblr.com) as well as based on how Daniel Barnz, the director of the film chose to update his film, we each highlighted the importance of making a direct connection to the audience you are trying to attract. The real issues, society's vision of what is perfect and the strive to conform are all great examples of themes that could be included in a film, but they must be relevant to what is current.
Referring back to Beastly, the “Beast” is neither furry nor does he have fangs, but is very captivating as far as prosthetics (scars and cuts) and tattoos are concerned, going above and beyond how someone would choose to characterize the ‘unattractive’ protagonist in the film. I also find it interesting how a lot of films that want to come off as “modernized” choose to take place in New York or LA, the two major cities that undergo change as it happens almost immediately.