#UnveilTheBeauty Ray J's Review - "BELLE" (English Dubbed)

I will admit that I am not really big into anime, and not because I don't like it, but because I've never really tried to get into it😅 With that being said, what intrigued me about "BELLE" is that it is based off of the tale as old as time, "Beauty and The Beast", which is one of my all time favorites🥀💚

"Belle" follows a high schooler named Suzu (voiced by Kyle McNeill in the English Dub), whom after losing her mother in a tragic life-saving accident as a child, she struggles to find the passion to sing and write songs again💚🎶 Besides having a few close friends that she's had since childhood, Suzu mostly keeps to herself, even at school...but after her best friend Hiro (voiced by Jessica DiCicco in the English Dub) suggests that she sign herself up onto the globally popular virtual online platform "U", she designs herself a stunning avatar that she nicknames "Bell" (the translation of her name in English). Upon entering the world of "U", Suzu finds herself able to sing again under this beautiful new virtual identity, with her songs becoming viral sensations, and eventually other users start to call her Belle (with an E), meaning "beautiful" in French . With her music taking off in the world of "U", Suzu (virtually as Belle) puts on a humongous concert, until a mysterious avatar, a Beast (voiced by Paul Castro Jr in the English Dub) crashes it...seeming to show off multiple bruises on his back. Feeling intrigued by this unusual avatar, Suzu and Hiro try to figure out who it could be🤔 Meantime, in the "U" world, a vigilante group led by a stuck up looking dude avatar called Justin (voiced by Chace Crawford in the English Dub), similar to the character of Gaston in Beauty and The Beast, who contains a wand that can unveil the real life identity of "U" avatars. After doing some research and discovering that kids seem to really have a connection to this "Beast", Suzu continues to investigate who this mysterious user could be, and finds herself as Belle visiting the world of "U" more frequently. Eventually she is led to the Beast's castle by a group of friendly Pokemon looking avatars, and after coming face to face with him, she begins to understand that she and the beast have more in common than realized. Suzu figures that whoever is behind the identity of the beast is hurting more than she could ever imagine. Unfortunately, due to the beast's destructive nature, sticking to close to him in the world of "U" could mean Suzu having her true identity revealed to the world! Yet, maybe, just maybe, that was the "U"(niverses) plan all along💚🎶😭

"Belle" is an absolute stunner, that features incredibly detailed animation, and triumphant songs👏👏 While "Beauty and The Beast" was obviously more of a fairytale/love story, "Belle" is definitely more realistic plot wise, and completely the opposite! This film deals with some very mature themes at times, and while there are many noticeable references to the story of "Beauty and The Beast", in the scheme of things it's about how two people are able to help each other through their grief and struggles, via the power of the internet. Without spoiling, I'll just say Suzu has an eye opening epiphany in the end🤧😢 It was so moving🙏

As far as the songs, there are only a few, and most of them are powerful, and extremely well sung!! My personal favorite is the song that introduces us the world of "U", appropriately titled "U", preferably because it has the most upbeat melody and super catchy🎶🤩

Consensus: "Belle" is a transporting piece of cinema, featuring detailed animation that pops, and music that soars😍 I think that if you aren't into anime or don't have an open mind about movies, you may struggle a bit, but for those familiar with the tale as old as time this should make your heart soar💚🎬🥀😭🤩👏👏

The Ray J's Reviews Rating is:

5 out of 5 Lime Green Hearts

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