I can't understand the negative reviews, I enjoyed the first episode and found it demanding of my attention (I watched on HULU while doing other tasks... or not doing them, because, as I said, it grabbed my attention). The acting in this show is quite a bit better than most CW offerings, and Jay Ryan is well cast as Vincent. IMHO, and Kristen Kreuk's personality aside (I don't see how it has anything to do with the quality of the show, as actors are notoriously self absorbed, so I think the hit piece published above is irrelevant and I'm surprised it was approved) I find Kreuk's performance to be just the right combination of tough exterior with fragile insides. So far as the story is concerned, it's off to a bit of a slow start, but it's not uncommon for a good or even great show to take some time to build it's world. This will take a bit of time as the writers seem very focused on establishing the two main characters and their relationship to each other. I was also impressed that the action sequences did not dominate the show. They were short, well done and added to the story instead of hiding any flaws. This one I'll be giving a few episodes to see how well it builds.
229 Reviews
This show is going places
astralxromance25 October 2012
I wanted to start by saying, I've never watched a pilot more than once in the same week but with this show, I did. When the second episode aired, there were bits that were bothersome to me and I wasn't quite sure where it was going. However, after watching the third episode, I finally get to see where it's headed and I absolutely love it. I think everyone should give this series a chance and if you don't like it, that's fine but I can't say this show is similar to anything else on TV. I love how different it is and the entertainment factor is through the roof. The chemistry between characters is excellent and the acting is up to par. This is most definitely a show I'll be following!
Loving it so Far
km244223 October 2012
Some people are panning this because it's based on the 80s version. I've never seen the 80s version and I'm sure there are differences, but it's like the book vs the movie...it's not going to be the exact same show. This is the CW, a network with The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural. This isn't Homeland and it's not going to win an Emmy, but f you go in to it with an open mind and let it stand on it's own, it definitely delivers. The two leads have great chemistry and yes the 'beast' is a hottie, but he morphs in to a Beast in anger. He looks the part, he saves the girl and they work together with romance brewing between them. He can't have human contact and she doesn't recoil from him. The cop part of the show is also pretty good (I say pretty good, because I'm not a huge cop-show fan) and it's interwoven well with their interactions. Give it a shot. I didn't think I was going to like it, after last year's Secret Circle, but I do. Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the cynics who want a complete rehash of the original. Great!
Kristin Kreuk is reason enough :D
Bored_Dragon8 March 2018
The secret project of creating a super-soldier goes wrong and, in order to cover up the whole thing, all volunteers who have been exposed to serum are killed. One manages to get away and lives in hiding until he saves the life of a young policewoman and falls in love with her. Then, of course, all possible complications begin. I know, it sounds sleasy, but the series is really well done. It combines elements of crime series with romance, thriller and a bit of horror. Jay Ryan is good in the role of the "beast", Kristin Kreuk is not particularly good actress, but she is beautiful enough for male audience to forgive her shortcomings in the performance, and Nina Lisandrello as her partner and Austin Basis as a computer magician and "beast's" best friend are great. The story is complicated and interesting, directing and effects are good and the series is very addictive. It has four seasons and it's finished, not canceled, so if you decide to watch, you will finish it pretty quickly and without waiting for new episodes or disappointments that the story has remained unresolved. Recommendation.
7,5/10
7,5/10
Beauty, you in danger girl
phd_travel17 October 2012
The problem with the premise is that if they make the beast too ugly then there just can't be any romance. So they haven't made him too beastly. The problem with that is here the beast is more like someone with a bad temper from post traumatic stress disorder after a bad tour of duty. Jay Ryan is a bit generic looking and doesn't have enough beast in him. He isn't even as beastly as some Vampire Diaries creatures.
Kristen Kreuk is a watchable actress but she comes across as an unconvincing cop. The beauty is supposed to be sweet and ladylike but then she doesn't make a suitable NYPD cop.
Overall the writers will need to produce pretty good stories to shore this one up.
Kristen Kreuk is a watchable actress but she comes across as an unconvincing cop. The beauty is supposed to be sweet and ladylike but then she doesn't make a suitable NYPD cop.
Overall the writers will need to produce pretty good stories to shore this one up.
[8.4] This is true love
cjonesas23 June 2020
Beauty and the Beast is a show for romantic people at heart, developed beautifully with lots of sweet and bitter cheesiness on the way.
It's a series where true love is shown, clenching your heart emotionally and making you dream, smile, laugh and shed tears.
It was a fun and very enjoyable ride in its course of 4 seasons and one of the best performances of the very beautiful and sensitive Kristin Kreuk, which I'm sure was close to her heart.
Beauty and the Beast will always live in our heart, whether they are in the chic city of New York or in Paris, the city of love.
- The chemistry and love between Cat (Kristin Kreuk) and Vincent (Jay Ryan) were amazingly beautiful and the strongest part of the show. I wouldn't be surprised if the two fell in love and were together for real and for at least some period of time.
- The storyline and plots were always interesting, with cheesiness along the way in a good way. Any weakness and plot holes were dissolved in their amazing journey of thrilling love, like sugar in hot water with a pinch of salt.
- The flow of the show was one filled with beauty, love, twists and emotions along the way both in happiness and sadness.
- The supporting cast and especially their friends and family (J.T., Tess, Heather...) delivered quite believable and lovely performances, contributing strongly to the emotional vibe of the series.
It was a fun and very enjoyable ride in its course of 4 seasons and one of the best performances of the very beautiful and sensitive Kristin Kreuk, which I'm sure was close to her heart.
Beauty and the Beast will always live in our heart, whether they are in the chic city of New York or in Paris, the city of love.
The beauty and the what now?
Nyx_Selene29 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I was very patient and watched three episodes of this. I think I gave it a fair chance, but it just got worse and worse, and the pilot wasn't exactly intriguing.
Story: Girl and mom are attacked in a parking lot. Mom is killed, but girl escapes, gets chased, and ends up being saved by mysterious stranger. Nine years later (I think) the girl is an NYPD cop, still obsessed with mom's murder. She happens upon mysterious stranger again, and he turns out to be a fully licensed doctor, a soldier and, according to all records, dead. In truth, he's in hiding. He was part of a military experiment gone wrong, and the only survivor of the ensuing clean-up. The experiment was meant to create the perfect soldier, but whenever the subjects had a rush of adrenalin, they became "monsters".
This was my first problem with the show: The "beast" isn't a beast at all, nor is he a monster. He is in fact a boy-band cute, surfer dazed nice-guy. When he becomes an adrenalin-monster, this just means his voice gets a bit deeper, some veins in his face a bit more distinguishable, and he just might punch some guy who really deserves it. The police girl finds at least six cases in which she can prove that he helped or tried to help the victims, so for the life of me, I can't find any reason to see this guy as a beast. Neither can the police girl, as she rushes over at the end of episode 1, to make a teary-eyed proclamation of what a monster he absolutely is not.
Episode 1 ends with an overly cheesy voice-over by beauty, telling us that they'll have to "save each other". It was at this point I realized exactly what demographic this show is intended for, and how far I am from being a part of it.
The three episodes I've seen all involve some sort of cases for beauty and her cop partner to solve, but it's all too clear that these cases – even to the writers – are just unimportant and tedious time-fillers until the next time beauty can run to beast to nag him about solving her mom's murder, so that he can tell her to let it go and then follow her around, wait for her to get into trouble and then save her. It's hinted that the military experiment and mom's murder are somehow related, but even the hints are sloppy and poorly executed, in a "yeah, yeah, yeah, let's just get it over with" kind of way.
All in all, the show feels forced and uninspired. Maybe it's made by people who couldn't care less, or maybe it's just written by someone who doesn't understand pacing at all. I don't know, but I do know that the end result reminds me of a school play of the awkward, embarrassing kind. The "beauty and the beast" concept usually centers around seeing past someone's looks to find his inner qualities, but I doubt that they'll manage to squeeze something even remotely as deep as that into this. I can't imagine how they'd incorporate such an idea either, since the writers are so far expecting us to accept the beastliness of beast on the basis of "cause we say he is!".
So "How brave is your love?" Good question. How much bravery does it really take to get a crush on a boy-band cute doctor and all around nice guy, who goes around helping people in need? Tough one...
Story: Girl and mom are attacked in a parking lot. Mom is killed, but girl escapes, gets chased, and ends up being saved by mysterious stranger. Nine years later (I think) the girl is an NYPD cop, still obsessed with mom's murder. She happens upon mysterious stranger again, and he turns out to be a fully licensed doctor, a soldier and, according to all records, dead. In truth, he's in hiding. He was part of a military experiment gone wrong, and the only survivor of the ensuing clean-up. The experiment was meant to create the perfect soldier, but whenever the subjects had a rush of adrenalin, they became "monsters".
This was my first problem with the show: The "beast" isn't a beast at all, nor is he a monster. He is in fact a boy-band cute, surfer dazed nice-guy. When he becomes an adrenalin-monster, this just means his voice gets a bit deeper, some veins in his face a bit more distinguishable, and he just might punch some guy who really deserves it. The police girl finds at least six cases in which she can prove that he helped or tried to help the victims, so for the life of me, I can't find any reason to see this guy as a beast. Neither can the police girl, as she rushes over at the end of episode 1, to make a teary-eyed proclamation of what a monster he absolutely is not.
Episode 1 ends with an overly cheesy voice-over by beauty, telling us that they'll have to "save each other". It was at this point I realized exactly what demographic this show is intended for, and how far I am from being a part of it.
The three episodes I've seen all involve some sort of cases for beauty and her cop partner to solve, but it's all too clear that these cases – even to the writers – are just unimportant and tedious time-fillers until the next time beauty can run to beast to nag him about solving her mom's murder, so that he can tell her to let it go and then follow her around, wait for her to get into trouble and then save her. It's hinted that the military experiment and mom's murder are somehow related, but even the hints are sloppy and poorly executed, in a "yeah, yeah, yeah, let's just get it over with" kind of way.
All in all, the show feels forced and uninspired. Maybe it's made by people who couldn't care less, or maybe it's just written by someone who doesn't understand pacing at all. I don't know, but I do know that the end result reminds me of a school play of the awkward, embarrassing kind. The "beauty and the beast" concept usually centers around seeing past someone's looks to find his inner qualities, but I doubt that they'll manage to squeeze something even remotely as deep as that into this. I can't imagine how they'd incorporate such an idea either, since the writers are so far expecting us to accept the beastliness of beast on the basis of "cause we say he is!".
So "How brave is your love?" Good question. How much bravery does it really take to get a crush on a boy-band cute doctor and all around nice guy, who goes around helping people in need? Tough one...
Excellent new series, I look forward to every episode!
RiverGirl8517 November 2012
This is by far my favorite TV show of the year. I absolutely love the way in which the storyline is developing, and the growing chemistry between Vincent and Catherine. In my opinion, there is something really special and unique about this show. The acting is excellent, and each character is strong. J.T. and Vargas bring some lighter comic relief, and they are great supporting characters for Vincent and Catherine. So far, we are around half way through the first season, and every episode has managed to be consistently good and entertaining from start to finish. My friends in the UK are already really looking forward to watching Beauty and the Beast when it gets aired over there in January. The Beast is a different type of beast than in previous movies and shows of the same name, and I think it fits in really well with the new modernized setting. I'm intrigued to see which direction the writers intend to take the show, and I look forward to each new episode!
Enjoyable
andrew_a_dawson-973-2385413 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I watched all of the episodes of the original series and truthfully by its end I had grown bored. So the dialog of this show may seem silly to some or maybe the plot unbelievable to others, but for a fan like me of sci-fi and supernatural based shows, this is more refreshing than watch yet another drab crime drama, medical drama, court room drama, etc type show that parades the airwaves every night. Regardless of how long this show lasts, I'll continue to watch it and enjoy it like I did The Secret Circle. Like that show, it has good special effects, a nice looking cast, and something that seems more exciting than seeing two people try to figure out every single show the murder of the week or the crime of the week.
LOVE this show!
laer_a11 November 2012
I was a die hard fan of the B&TB of the 80s and I feel this show is awesome IF, and only if, one stops comparing it with the original and give this show a chance. I think CW should have given the show a different name as well as the main characters because it gave a certain level of expectation to die hard fans. Some people were disappointed, others were not (like me). The only stand out similarities are the title of the show and the names of the main characters (Catherine and Vincent). Other than that, this show is a different take and should not be compared to the original. The original had "heavy" and "deep" material. Heck! Real life nowadays is already heavy and deep. If I wanted heavy and deep, I would watch the news or read the newspaper, etc. I want to mentally "escape" from real life for a few hours. So, I tune in, sit back and be entertained. I recall another show (about two vampire brothers in love with one woman) that initially had many negative reviews in its first season (mostly because the TV version was vastly different from the books). Now, that show has a cult following. Give B&TB a chance...give yourself a chance to have some fun.
Extremely satisfied, waiting for more
ralica_kaleva21 October 2012
I am very pleased and glad to be a part of this magnificent and fresh "Beauty and the beast" story audience.Seeing the new version of this so sweet and touching fairytale about the beauty In the beast, I became more open-hearted than ever.It shows you so many "read between the lines " communication, contacts and reactions. The idea of being respectful to the different human or not-so-human beings is so strong and so preaching.I like the modern view, the nowadays life, which we all have and struggle with. I feel so awakened, revived, like a fully charged battery. Impressed by the actors- they put so much passion, life and warmth to their characters and the movie as a whole.I did not believe, that I'll watch something on the screen without being bored, But- there it is- unique, brilliant and well-presented vision, nothing like the other "Copy-paste" pale TV stuff. Admire the creators of this project, so much soul and eye connection! I hope there will be more, there Must be more!
Just be patient
iqphantom20 October 2012
I really like the idea of a Beauty more determined and more ready to kick some b...in the quest for the truth. It is a different concept and a different Vincent. I truly don't get it how can one review a TV show after such a short while. Clearly some of us need to be patient. They will fall in love...I mean you have to be blind not to notice the chemistry ( she is obviously extremely attracted to him and vice versa)but where will be the fun if he would jump her bones in the first episodes? Also , the obvious adrenaline issue ( he turns when it kicks in) which was so carefully underlined by his friend -" Remember what happened the last time you made the play list?" - will most likely be in the way.
I mean, really you guys , give it a chance and stop expecting hot sex and blasting love from the first episodes. Next...you will say the kiss ( which has yet to happen) was lame. Does anybody remember the classic series? How long did it took for them to actually kiss...
I mean, really you guys , give it a chance and stop expecting hot sex and blasting love from the first episodes. Next...you will say the kiss ( which has yet to happen) was lame. Does anybody remember the classic series? How long did it took for them to actually kiss...
Interesting
trails71420 October 2012
Very interesting episodes. There's lots of action and mystery. I'd like to see how their relationships develop. I'm a fan and going to watch. I really like all the actors and their abilities are incredible. So far I've seen two episodes, and the story line, and plot does keep the viewers guessing. There seems to be a lot of different people with different issues and mysteries to solve. There's a cross between protecting a victim and the law, it's complicated. It's a lot of excellent writing, producing, directing and acting. There's substance to this show, more substance than the typical. I also think the characters are varied and I like the connection between Beauty and the Beast. She is so beautiful and he is handsome - it's a complicated relationship that is not boring! The doctor is attractive too...so far, so good, I want to watch more!
Absolutely LOVE this show
msruiz211 November 2012
Im not sure how I had not heard of it but one day while surfing through HULU I decided to watch the first episode and fell in love. Not my kinda series but there's something about it thats so captivating to me. The actors are good (not any A-listers but certainly deserve some red carpet!) and the story line is quite entertaining!! Really really really hope the show is not canceled!! Can not wait for the next episode!!I definitely recommend you guys check this out and see what Im talking about. Maybe you don't completely fall in love with the first episode but by the second Im sure you will be hooked! The actor that plays the beast is extremely good looking also!
Yet another tasteless slaughter of a true classic
dikaea12 October 2012
I have watched the original "Beauty and the Beast" TV series. The first time I was just a kid 12-13 years old and I was mesmerized by the wonderful fairy tale story.
The second time was in my thirties. That time around, I really appreciated its poetry, its lyricism, its imaginative plot, its dreamy but not corny romanticism and its respect for its characters. It brought together in harmony two totally different worlds in a blink of an eye. One moment you were in modern (for the time) New York and the next you were transfered in mystique medieval surroundings.
The costumes, Vincent's make up by the great Rick Baker that created a magnificent character, the music, the acting by both the two leads but also the secondary characters, the sets were out of this world. It really took you on a journey back in time. I admit that sometimes the episode stories were kind of childlike and naive, but all of the above more than compensated.
Overall it was a wonderful, TRUE TV CLASSIC. There was nothing ordinary, mundane or indifferent about it. It stood out from everything else in its time and I am sure it still does. Nothing similar comes to mind and believe you me, I have watched A LOT of TV shows of all genres! The beast was a BEAST and the beauty was a BEAUTY.
The 2012 version of it..... nothing of the above. Just another mediocre police TV series where a really pretty girl meets and falls in love with a believe it or not, a pretty and sweet boy-band-like "beast" !!!! Nothing to capture your imagination, to strike a chord in your heart, to make you want to see more.... I am really really disappointed by this "remake". It is not even a remake of the original!
OK, I understand it is only based on the original, that times have changed and they had to bring it from the late 80's to 2012, to make it more believable, but not so incredibly lame people!!!!!! Where has all the imagination, the creativity, the daring to do something different than all that is out there and has been played and done over and over and over and over a thousand times and again?!?!?!
A story like this gives its creators the perfect chance to think outside the box, to explore so many possibilities, to really let imagination run wild, to invent even something that has never been done before.. and what did they go and do? They made it so unimaginative, so uninspiring, so plain, so without nerve, so without anything substantial!!!
It is such a pity for a truly great story like this to be done in such a flat and blunt kind of way.... and the disappointment is worse, for some of the producers and creators of this "thing" were the same ones that did the original TV series... what on earth happened to you people?!?!? Did some horrible monster/beast came to you in your sleep and deprived you of ALL your good sense and taste!?!?
The second time was in my thirties. That time around, I really appreciated its poetry, its lyricism, its imaginative plot, its dreamy but not corny romanticism and its respect for its characters. It brought together in harmony two totally different worlds in a blink of an eye. One moment you were in modern (for the time) New York and the next you were transfered in mystique medieval surroundings.
The costumes, Vincent's make up by the great Rick Baker that created a magnificent character, the music, the acting by both the two leads but also the secondary characters, the sets were out of this world. It really took you on a journey back in time. I admit that sometimes the episode stories were kind of childlike and naive, but all of the above more than compensated.
Overall it was a wonderful, TRUE TV CLASSIC. There was nothing ordinary, mundane or indifferent about it. It stood out from everything else in its time and I am sure it still does. Nothing similar comes to mind and believe you me, I have watched A LOT of TV shows of all genres! The beast was a BEAST and the beauty was a BEAUTY.
The 2012 version of it..... nothing of the above. Just another mediocre police TV series where a really pretty girl meets and falls in love with a believe it or not, a pretty and sweet boy-band-like "beast" !!!! Nothing to capture your imagination, to strike a chord in your heart, to make you want to see more.... I am really really disappointed by this "remake". It is not even a remake of the original!
OK, I understand it is only based on the original, that times have changed and they had to bring it from the late 80's to 2012, to make it more believable, but not so incredibly lame people!!!!!! Where has all the imagination, the creativity, the daring to do something different than all that is out there and has been played and done over and over and over and over a thousand times and again?!?!?!
A story like this gives its creators the perfect chance to think outside the box, to explore so many possibilities, to really let imagination run wild, to invent even something that has never been done before.. and what did they go and do? They made it so unimaginative, so uninspiring, so plain, so without nerve, so without anything substantial!!!
It is such a pity for a truly great story like this to be done in such a flat and blunt kind of way.... and the disappointment is worse, for some of the producers and creators of this "thing" were the same ones that did the original TV series... what on earth happened to you people?!?!? Did some horrible monster/beast came to you in your sleep and deprived you of ALL your good sense and taste!?!?
Turn your brain off and enjoy TV
hthbrr225 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Warning spoilers!
This is your basic CW show; shallow, unbelievable, and sexist. Now I do like sci-fic so I have no problem believing the whole 'beast' thing. Even though there are HUGE plot holes concerning that. Nor that the acting is pretty forced as the plots are. But where I draw the line is the sexism!
Catherine is the main character in this TV show. She has a successful life as a cop. Yet WHY does HER ENTIRE LIFE REVOLVED AROUND MEN!? In the pilot she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. So what does she do? Turn him in because he has pot on him! So...does that mean since they were dating she LET HIM get away with crime?
Now she later discovers that the person who saved her life is a beast. And for the rest of the show she obsesses over him! In the first season Evan, a coworker of hers, almost kisses her in one scene to show how 'distracted' she is. What a terrible message about women. "All they want is a man" is the basic message they send in this show. Disgusting.
Yeah, this show is mostly a romance, but why does her life have to REVOLVE around her boyfriend? YET he can do as he wishes? Ugh, you have your basic gender roles here. Men have freedom, while women are to be the property of men. Not once did Catherine just focus on her life, job, friends, it's all about men. Shouldn't she be happy that she has her life in order? Her only happiness is this guy? What?
TV has evolved as much to the fact that she DOES have a job. BUT when they just reduce women to 'emotional creatures' none of that matters. They are undermining the whole feminist movement. A woman without a man is like fish without a bicycle. Women are not and should not be dependent on men. So tired of this and all TV shows where women HAVE TO be in a relationship. Yes there are shows with men where IF they have a relationship it's just a side story to all the other stuff going on. Yet this show is all about Catherine chasing after A MAN! Shows like this brainwash people to think this is OK, it's not. Women are not physical objects. They are human beings. It's rare to see a show or even movie about a woman that DOES NOT revolve around her 'finding a man'. Why can't women be depicted as being multidimensional? She has a job and if she wants to get a guy fine and if not that's cool too. But no, women are reduced to physical objects.
As much as I wanted this show to be about independent women it's not. I was amazed to see a female depicted so strongly, a tough cop, self- defense skills. But she risks her job time and time again for a guy, and all the fighting she does is for the GUY she likes. AGAIN revolving around a MAN! It's all about him. I try and 'turn off my brain' and just ignore this sexism to enjoy this joke of a show, but it keeps getting shoved in my face. He keeps hurting her and it's OK? More bad messages of staying in abusive relationships. Telling women to 'submit' to men. Disgusting.
This is your basic CW show; shallow, unbelievable, and sexist. Now I do like sci-fic so I have no problem believing the whole 'beast' thing. Even though there are HUGE plot holes concerning that. Nor that the acting is pretty forced as the plots are. But where I draw the line is the sexism!
Catherine is the main character in this TV show. She has a successful life as a cop. Yet WHY does HER ENTIRE LIFE REVOLVED AROUND MEN!? In the pilot she catches her boyfriend cheating on her. So what does she do? Turn him in because he has pot on him! So...does that mean since they were dating she LET HIM get away with crime?
Now she later discovers that the person who saved her life is a beast. And for the rest of the show she obsesses over him! In the first season Evan, a coworker of hers, almost kisses her in one scene to show how 'distracted' she is. What a terrible message about women. "All they want is a man" is the basic message they send in this show. Disgusting.
Yeah, this show is mostly a romance, but why does her life have to REVOLVE around her boyfriend? YET he can do as he wishes? Ugh, you have your basic gender roles here. Men have freedom, while women are to be the property of men. Not once did Catherine just focus on her life, job, friends, it's all about men. Shouldn't she be happy that she has her life in order? Her only happiness is this guy? What?
TV has evolved as much to the fact that she DOES have a job. BUT when they just reduce women to 'emotional creatures' none of that matters. They are undermining the whole feminist movement. A woman without a man is like fish without a bicycle. Women are not and should not be dependent on men. So tired of this and all TV shows where women HAVE TO be in a relationship. Yes there are shows with men where IF they have a relationship it's just a side story to all the other stuff going on. Yet this show is all about Catherine chasing after A MAN! Shows like this brainwash people to think this is OK, it's not. Women are not physical objects. They are human beings. It's rare to see a show or even movie about a woman that DOES NOT revolve around her 'finding a man'. Why can't women be depicted as being multidimensional? She has a job and if she wants to get a guy fine and if not that's cool too. But no, women are reduced to physical objects.
As much as I wanted this show to be about independent women it's not. I was amazed to see a female depicted so strongly, a tough cop, self- defense skills. But she risks her job time and time again for a guy, and all the fighting she does is for the GUY she likes. AGAIN revolving around a MAN! It's all about him. I try and 'turn off my brain' and just ignore this sexism to enjoy this joke of a show, but it keeps getting shoved in my face. He keeps hurting her and it's OK? More bad messages of staying in abusive relationships. Telling women to 'submit' to men. Disgusting.
Failure is in the eye of the beholder
rob1235720 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
If you're into watching scrawny little girls beat up big strong criminal boys (yeah, right), then maybe you can overlook the failure of this show to have any value at all. Our little princess police woman arrests her own father, shoots her boyfriend, cuts herself a wide swath... marking her territory everywhere she goes. Can anyone here say conflict of interests? A moot point. This bastardized version of a classic story is entertaining in a comic book sort of way, but don't expect any substance here. Our ninety pound female lead is a sort of a poster child for fantasy feminism where all men are corrupt, evil, and in need of punishment... and of course where all women are enlightened, empowered enforcers who harvest favors from the men they entrap, betray and crucify. The cop lady judges, condemns, even shoots her precious beast and this pretty boy beast just keeps coming back to be set up and knocked down again... ah, the miracles of being in love. It would be easy to imagine an Energizer Bunny in all of the leading roles. The pretense of this fiasco is about as believable as a monster made of cotton candy. My suggestion would be to turn down the sound and glean what little eye candy comes your way from this piece of fluff. Don't expect much and you wont be too disappointed. I used to think Miss Kreuk had so much class, but it seems that I was wrong. Maybe there are some good episodes that I haven't seen.
Not Really Worth Watching
serenstar-412-29725118 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm old enough to have been around during the first Beauty and the Beast. I have it on VHS, which says how long I've had it. I loved it. My daughter loved it. I really don't get the idea of rebooting all of these old series. Come up with new ones. If this one was just a new one with new characters, maybe it would be semi okay...but not really. Don't bother making him Vincent because the entire story that was so fascinating about the original isn't even there. It's not any more believable either, because every show out there now uses Super Soldiers as an idea for why something strange exists. Make something NEW.
Catherine Chandler isn't really anything like the original, so again, just give her a new name. She's actually annoying. This character embodies every insane stalker impulse a person can have. She's ridiculously pushy, and yet this guy wants to be around her? I know he's lonely, but really.
Basically put, if it were an original series with original ideas, it might be easier to take. There is nothing original or fascinating to watch here. The crimes (at least in the beginning) are really pathetic. The detective skills aren't really there. Everyone seems very two-dimensional. I think the only character I like so far is Vincent's roommate. I'm not even going to bother watching more of the series after the first few. There's nothing to see here.
Catherine Chandler isn't really anything like the original, so again, just give her a new name. She's actually annoying. This character embodies every insane stalker impulse a person can have. She's ridiculously pushy, and yet this guy wants to be around her? I know he's lonely, but really.
Basically put, if it were an original series with original ideas, it might be easier to take. There is nothing original or fascinating to watch here. The crimes (at least in the beginning) are really pathetic. The detective skills aren't really there. Everyone seems very two-dimensional. I think the only character I like so far is Vincent's roommate. I'm not even going to bother watching more of the series after the first few. There's nothing to see here.
Boring and there is no Beast!!
tinakewy21 October 2012
THe original Beauty and the Beast became a true classic partly because it was magical. There was a whole whimsical city underneath New York that bordered on Steampunk, with a kind hearted Beast and a wise father to guide him. The Beauty was an apple pie sweetie (at least at first) dedicated to fighting evil in her own way.
The chemistry between Vincent and Catherine was tangible and heart wrenching at the same time because, to quote another classic "A bird and a fish can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?".
Beauty and the Beast the 2012 version has none of these elements. Although Kristin Kreuk is a beautiful woman and portrays the *detective* Catherine Chandler nicely, she is more fit for CSI than this series. There is no Beast, there is no steam-punk city between the city, there is no wise father, there is no magic and more importantly there is no chemistry and longing between the two mains. Vincent does not nurse Catherine back to health, there is no bond forged between them. This modern Catherine is angry, and strong, she hardly needs a Vincent... and Vincent is not hiding under the city. He is cooped up above ground in an old factory, with a flat screen and an Xbox to keep him company and he is certainly drop dead gorgeous for a "Beast".
I don't know whose idea it was to redo this again but you took out every single element that made the original such a winning series. Heck, it more reminded me of "Angel" than the original Beauty and the Beast. I will not be watching this.. instead I will go watch the original Beauty and the Beast...again.
The chemistry between Vincent and Catherine was tangible and heart wrenching at the same time because, to quote another classic "A bird and a fish can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?".
Beauty and the Beast the 2012 version has none of these elements. Although Kristin Kreuk is a beautiful woman and portrays the *detective* Catherine Chandler nicely, she is more fit for CSI than this series. There is no Beast, there is no steam-punk city between the city, there is no wise father, there is no magic and more importantly there is no chemistry and longing between the two mains. Vincent does not nurse Catherine back to health, there is no bond forged between them. This modern Catherine is angry, and strong, she hardly needs a Vincent... and Vincent is not hiding under the city. He is cooped up above ground in an old factory, with a flat screen and an Xbox to keep him company and he is certainly drop dead gorgeous for a "Beast".
I don't know whose idea it was to redo this again but you took out every single element that made the original such a winning series. Heck, it more reminded me of "Angel" than the original Beauty and the Beast. I will not be watching this.. instead I will go watch the original Beauty and the Beast...again.
Not Quite the Same But Close
kirbylee70-599-5261795 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Back in the eighties a TV series took viewers by surprise, the story of a young woman, an assistant DA, who by chance met a part man, part beast member of an underground network of people named Vincent. This paring was known as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and introduced the world to Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman who had both been in other films but found themselves more well-known after this series. The way things are today it was only a matter of time before that series was recreated.
This time around Kristin Kreuk stars as Catherine Chandler, a determined police detective who encounters an ex-GI and doctor named Vincent who has a secret to hide. When a child Catherine's mother was killed in front of her by a group of men who were never identified. She was saved that night by a mysterious stranger, a manically violent man-beast who she never really quite saw.
Of course that mysterious stranger was Vincent and he's made it his job to watch over and protect Catherine from the shadows. The reason he does so is that he knows who was behind the death of her mother. Vincent was part of a secret government project that turned its volunteers into what he has become and her mother was involved in that project. Now he's on the run from this secret government organization, in hiding with the help of one friend. That friend base increases when he finally meets Catherine face to face.
Now in on what was going on, Catherine continues her day job while still looking into the death of her mother. She and Vincent become closer as he helps her when he can, even after telling her to stay away. This inevitably results in that organization finding Vincent and the ensuing problems that follow. And that's just in the first season! The series ran for 4 years to popular acclaim, winning more than its share of awards. Not an easy feat since it appeared on the fledgling CW Network. That worked in its favor and also added a needed boost to CW as well. The changing story found the couple meeting and eventually the romance soon followed which only added to the popularity of the show. It was the same formula used in the initial series but this time felt a bit more normal as Vincent no longer had the constant appearance of the beast.
The series works on a number of levels, as a police procedural first off. Shows like this need their own twist to separate them from the pack and the aid of a super powered ally was handy. It also works as a conspiracy styled thriller with a hidden organization with its own agenda at play. And it worked as a romance. If not the show wouldn't have lasted as long as it did nor would it have drawn in the female viewers that helped push it over the top.
While each season has been released in the past the entire season has now been collected into an easy box set that takes up less shelf space and allows fans to watch it from start to finish. Those like me who didn't catch it while it was on TV can check it out and enjoy the story. Fans can watch with glee. It's a nice way to own the series and the packaging looks better than those multiple boxes. If you never saw the series here's your chance. It's definitely worth watching.
This time around Kristin Kreuk stars as Catherine Chandler, a determined police detective who encounters an ex-GI and doctor named Vincent who has a secret to hide. When a child Catherine's mother was killed in front of her by a group of men who were never identified. She was saved that night by a mysterious stranger, a manically violent man-beast who she never really quite saw.
Of course that mysterious stranger was Vincent and he's made it his job to watch over and protect Catherine from the shadows. The reason he does so is that he knows who was behind the death of her mother. Vincent was part of a secret government project that turned its volunteers into what he has become and her mother was involved in that project. Now he's on the run from this secret government organization, in hiding with the help of one friend. That friend base increases when he finally meets Catherine face to face.
Now in on what was going on, Catherine continues her day job while still looking into the death of her mother. She and Vincent become closer as he helps her when he can, even after telling her to stay away. This inevitably results in that organization finding Vincent and the ensuing problems that follow. And that's just in the first season! The series ran for 4 years to popular acclaim, winning more than its share of awards. Not an easy feat since it appeared on the fledgling CW Network. That worked in its favor and also added a needed boost to CW as well. The changing story found the couple meeting and eventually the romance soon followed which only added to the popularity of the show. It was the same formula used in the initial series but this time felt a bit more normal as Vincent no longer had the constant appearance of the beast.
The series works on a number of levels, as a police procedural first off. Shows like this need their own twist to separate them from the pack and the aid of a super powered ally was handy. It also works as a conspiracy styled thriller with a hidden organization with its own agenda at play. And it worked as a romance. If not the show wouldn't have lasted as long as it did nor would it have drawn in the female viewers that helped push it over the top.
While each season has been released in the past the entire season has now been collected into an easy box set that takes up less shelf space and allows fans to watch it from start to finish. Those like me who didn't catch it while it was on TV can check it out and enjoy the story. Fans can watch with glee. It's a nice way to own the series and the packaging looks better than those multiple boxes. If you never saw the series here's your chance. It's definitely worth watching.
I'm Trying To Like This Show... But I Can't
azimuth3618 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I give this show three stars because of Kristin Kreuk, whom I'd watch in ANY show. But, other than that, this show is rather poor. The first episode starts with clunky exposition and a premise that defies logic. Two women stand by side when two bad guys shoot the first woman several times. Do they shoot BOTH women? No. Why not? Who knows? But they allow the second woman, our heroine to escape on foot and set up the premise of our show. In a later episode, Catherine says that they looked like professional hit men. Ahhh... no. Professional hit men would have capped them both in the head and not allowed Catherine to run into the woods.
The show is set in New York, but is clearly shot in Vancouver. The makers didn't even bother to change street signs or license plates. Why not just set it in Vancouver? It's a great town.
If people are going to make a show about cops, then perhaps they ought to talk to cops about law, procedure and protocol. Cat rats out her boyfriend for pot possession, but never properly identifies herself or leaves her contact information to the arresting guard. Did anyone look up rules for evidence or probable cause? How in the world are they ever going to get that evidence in front of a judge? She's utterly corrupt, incompetent, inept, untrustworthy and dishonorable. Perhaps they could have talked to someone in the Military about this Soldier/beast. A doctor would never, ever, EVER be a Specialist (E4) in the Army. Never, ever, EVER!!! If the pilot episode is any indication, they didn't even talk to anyone about how the Automated Fingerprint Identification System really works. The cops' house-clearing and searching is utterly inept and tactically incompetent. The creators seem to have made a cop show based on cop shows they've seen, but didn't bother bringing in any consultants or advisers. This show is completely and utterly unbelievable.
Vincent delivers every line like a discount Sylvester Stallone, who is already pretty discount. And It's getting pretty tiresome that every member of the cast looks like an underwear model with the exception of JT, who is only there to give the casting director an excuse to say, "See? Not EVERYONE looks like an underwear model!" Have the creators ever been to a police station? Not everyone on the force fell off the cover of Cosmo. Hill Street Blues or Barney Miller weren't eye candy, but at least the the cast was plausible.
Something I'm finding particularly irksome is the manner of speaking, the conversations the characters have. No-flippin-body talks to each other the way these people talk to each other. It's especially annoying how they cut each other off mid-sentence. In season 2, episode 6, one character says, "It never stopped me from..." Catherine butts in, "From what?" Hey, dingbat! He was in the middle of telling you. He could have finished his sentence if you hadn't interrupted him. GAWD!
Kristin Kreuk is a capable actress and just as lovely as can be. She had moments of greatness in Partition and even Street Fighter. It's too bad she didn't have a better vehicle to showcase her talent. It's like watching Kimi Raikkonen drive a dump truck. I like Kristin Kreuk. But this show is making me not like her so much. It pains me to say that Beauty and the Beast is weak sauce.
The show is set in New York, but is clearly shot in Vancouver. The makers didn't even bother to change street signs or license plates. Why not just set it in Vancouver? It's a great town.
If people are going to make a show about cops, then perhaps they ought to talk to cops about law, procedure and protocol. Cat rats out her boyfriend for pot possession, but never properly identifies herself or leaves her contact information to the arresting guard. Did anyone look up rules for evidence or probable cause? How in the world are they ever going to get that evidence in front of a judge? She's utterly corrupt, incompetent, inept, untrustworthy and dishonorable. Perhaps they could have talked to someone in the Military about this Soldier/beast. A doctor would never, ever, EVER be a Specialist (E4) in the Army. Never, ever, EVER!!! If the pilot episode is any indication, they didn't even talk to anyone about how the Automated Fingerprint Identification System really works. The cops' house-clearing and searching is utterly inept and tactically incompetent. The creators seem to have made a cop show based on cop shows they've seen, but didn't bother bringing in any consultants or advisers. This show is completely and utterly unbelievable.
Vincent delivers every line like a discount Sylvester Stallone, who is already pretty discount. And It's getting pretty tiresome that every member of the cast looks like an underwear model with the exception of JT, who is only there to give the casting director an excuse to say, "See? Not EVERYONE looks like an underwear model!" Have the creators ever been to a police station? Not everyone on the force fell off the cover of Cosmo. Hill Street Blues or Barney Miller weren't eye candy, but at least the the cast was plausible.
Something I'm finding particularly irksome is the manner of speaking, the conversations the characters have. No-flippin-body talks to each other the way these people talk to each other. It's especially annoying how they cut each other off mid-sentence. In season 2, episode 6, one character says, "It never stopped me from..." Catherine butts in, "From what?" Hey, dingbat! He was in the middle of telling you. He could have finished his sentence if you hadn't interrupted him. GAWD!
Kristin Kreuk is a capable actress and just as lovely as can be. She had moments of greatness in Partition and even Street Fighter. It's too bad she didn't have a better vehicle to showcase her talent. It's like watching Kimi Raikkonen drive a dump truck. I like Kristin Kreuk. But this show is making me not like her so much. It pains me to say that Beauty and the Beast is weak sauce.
Amazing show.
marissa_elizabeth091 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I do not understand the reasoning behind all of the bad reviews. Try watching more than just the pilot. This show is exciting, sexy, and just overall satisfying. Each character's story has been developing as the season continues on. There are comical scenes that help break up all the intense action. Even the actors cast for the "beauty" and the "beast" parts are perfect. Jay Bunyan is gorgeous. I envy his affection towards Kristin Kreuk; they are a perfect match. The shy dark disposition of Jay is sexy. I also like how Kristin kicks a** at fighting. Every time he shows up randomly, surprising her my heart jumps. I cannot wait until they officially get together. So, as this show continues I will be happy to find out whether or not Jay gets captured or if Kristen and him are able to be together without it having to be a secret. I definitely will continue to watch this show! I hope others are able to enjoy this show
Started off strong, went downhill
hcato-8876113 March 2022
I am just now watching this series in February of 2022. Basically I've been Marathon watching for about a week. I am in the third season, about halfway through the third season. This show started off strong in the first season, but it started going downhill with season 2, and season 3 is fairly ridiculous for the most part. The character of Catherine Chandler has become absolutely unbearable. She has become extremely annoying, her personality makes her completely unattractive, and it makes one wonder why Vincent would want anything to do with her by this point. Everything revolves around her and what she wants, to hell with consequences, to hell with everyone else. Even her supposed love for Vincent actually revolves around what he can do for her. The way she treats her friends, coworkers, and family members, is atrocious. Especially the way she treats her two aunts... Sisters of her dead mother... When they come to visit her to celebrate her wedding, is really pretty disgusting. She breaks her poor little sister's heart. I cannot despise this character enough.
The writers went off on some tangent. Talking about him losing his humanity if he beats out, and I'm hard-pressed to know what they are talking about because all of a sudden that was just a thing that was never an issue before, but it was suddenly part of the script, and made no sense if you followed along. It gives you the feeling that you missed some episodes, when you know that you didn't.
I don't know what the outcome is going to be, I am going to watch it to its end, though I may forward through some of it.
The writers went off on some tangent. Talking about him losing his humanity if he beats out, and I'm hard-pressed to know what they are talking about because all of a sudden that was just a thing that was never an issue before, but it was suddenly part of the script, and made no sense if you followed along. It gives you the feeling that you missed some episodes, when you know that you didn't.
I don't know what the outcome is going to be, I am going to watch it to its end, though I may forward through some of it.
Why am I still watching this?
bkwloveswrestling8 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know why I still watch this show. Vincent is the most interesting character on the show. Other than Jay Ryan as Vincent, the show is really not that great.
The Kat character is not believable as a cop to me at all. She is also too whiny. Her friend that used to be her partner is not believable as a cop to me either. To me, they are just two skinny cop broads that are boring to watch.
So far this season(2)they have already left too many gaps in the story of the show. I found it disappointing that Kat had already found Vincent within the first episode of season 2. When we last saw Vincent in season one, he was kidnapped. They should have went into some detail as to what was done to him before he was automatically back in the city. Kat also acts like Vincent is more important than her family as she is always running out on her sister.
I hope the show gets better as the season continues because I am not impressed with the first episode of season 2.
The Kat character is not believable as a cop to me at all. She is also too whiny. Her friend that used to be her partner is not believable as a cop to me either. To me, they are just two skinny cop broads that are boring to watch.
So far this season(2)they have already left too many gaps in the story of the show. I found it disappointing that Kat had already found Vincent within the first episode of season 2. When we last saw Vincent in season one, he was kidnapped. They should have went into some detail as to what was done to him before he was automatically back in the city. Kat also acts like Vincent is more important than her family as she is always running out on her sister.
I hope the show gets better as the season continues because I am not impressed with the first episode of season 2.
MUST WATCH SHOW
fanosua24 January 2018
I love the creativity on this show. Wish it never cancelled because it an awesome show. I love all different aspects of relationships in this show which is rare. Thanks to the writers, director and all cast for creating such an incredible fantastic show. Great show all in all. Wish they would relaunch more seasons..
I enjoyed watching this show so much that I am telling my family and friends to watch it...Please bring this show back!!!!!!
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