That Creepy Beauty and the Beast Belle Doll

Last month while perusing the Hogwarts Running Club Facebook page someone posted a picture of an unknown Emma Watson Beauty and the Beast Belle Doll, comparing it to Justin Bieber.

A simple "beauty and the beast justine bieber doll" search will yield several news and blog posts on this subject, talking about the Belle doll being a great fail.

Many people in the Hogwarts Running Club thought it was a fake doll, that surely Disney wouldn't mess up this badly.  They posted a few other pictures of another Belle doll, claiming the official doll was better.  I then wrote that the pictures being posted were of a Hasbro doll (Hasbro is not living up to the standards of Mattel, but that's another subject), and that the Disney Store releases a doll not made by Hasbro, and this "Justin Bieber" doll is most likely the Disney Store version.

I was right.  The Disney Store is now selling the doll, and the product photos on the online store do not match what is shipped or found in the store!  On the site the doll has 3 out of 5 stars, though the last several reviews are single star ratings.

My big complaint is the hair line and her high forehead.

My Mom bought the doll and let the bun down to try to help her look better, but it only helps a little bit.  Then there's her jawline and face shape, the lack of detail when it comes to her face painting and sharp freckles, and her face size looks odd in proportion to the dolls body.

 She looks a little better in her blue dress, but still creepy.

I like the blue dress with different fabric textures, prints, and details.

Gaston looks good.

But other than that, seriously, Disney, missed opportunity!

Belle: Movie Review

Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

Belle is a beautiful film based on the true life of Dido Elizabeth Belle.  She was born into slavery in the West Indies, the daughter of Captain, later Admiral, John Lindsay and Maria Belle.  Lindsay found his daughter and took her back to England to be raised by his uncle, Lord Chief Justice William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, along with Dido's cousin Elizabeth Murray, who was only a year older.

Dido lived with her Uncle 30 years, and during this time two landmark cases about slavery came before William Murray, one of which is highlighted in the film.  It is thought that these these cases were the formal end of slavery in England, and many speculated that William's niece served as influence. (Wikipedia).

Clearly parts of Dido's life is embellished, giving a possible history where there is lack.  Though I would love to know everything the history books have failed to glean, Belle is a beautiful film about an amazing person.

The story telling is tight.  Cinematography beautiful.  Costumes and settings elegant.  Acting top-notch.

I can't find a single fault in this film.

This is one of my most favorite movies in years.

(Belle may no longer be in theaters, but it will be released to video August 26.)

MPAA: Rated PG for thematic elements, some language and brief smoking images.