Belle

Name: Belle
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Fantasy, Animation
Released: January 14, 2022
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Kaho Nakamura, Kenjirô Tsuda, Kôji Yakusho, Mami Koyama, Mamoru Miyano

2022

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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Belle: The Dragon And The Freckled Princess (US Teaser Trailer 2)

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: January 14, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: Kaho Nakamura, Kenjirô Tsuda, Kôji Yakusho, Mami Koyama, Mamoru Miyano, Michiko Shimizu, Rina Izuta, Ryô Narita, Shôta Sometani, Tina Tamashiro, Toshiyuki Morikawa

Summary: Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. AsSuzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.… Expand

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Fantasy, Animation

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kevin Harley

Feb 4, 2022

Between hidden depths and dazzling surfaces, home truths and virtual wonders, Hosoda’s tale of teenage anguish, connectivity and emotional salvation enraptures. Read full review

Carlos Aguilar

Jan 14, 2022

An aesthetically imaginative and affectingly breathtaking fairytale for our modern world, Belle envelops you first with its clever mechanics and youthful preoccupations. But as the reflective subtext comes to light, it extends an invitation to reconnect with others offline and to beware the comfort of these surrogate identities. Read full review

Deborah Young

Jul 16, 2021

Perhaps the most ambitious film to date by Japanese animator Mamoru Hosoda. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Jan 6, 2022

In a sense, movies aren’t so different from the virtual worlds a platform like U offers, and this one promises a special kind of escapism while going out of its way to keep it real. Read full review

Empire Kambole Campbell

Feb 4, 2022

Belle is an exhilarating transformation of a classic tale, updating a story of alienation into something deeply resonant with our digital way of life. Though it misses a couple of notes in its final act, it’s an exhilarating sensory experience, with great emotional depths. Read full review

Polygon Annie Lyons

Jan 14, 2022

The core of the movie is about empathy, and Hosoda’s sentimentality is compelling, even at its most overstated and earnest. Read full review

Brittany Vincent

Jan 15, 2022

Belle is a gorgeously animated, futuristic interpretation of Beauty and the Beast that combines dazzling song and eye-popping visuals for a well-meaning yet meandering modern fairy tale. Unfortunately, its heartfelt message is muddled by perplexing plot holes, occasionally grating characters, and a bloated runtime. Read full review

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User Reviews

Chatclaws

Jan 15, 2022

Such a great movie! Voice actress was beyond amazing and the songs were so heart felt

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

celfhelp

Jan 19, 2022

i think the best way to watch this film is to ignore the "Beauty and the Beast" angle of the marketing.

yes, this film *contains* a 'retelling' of the classic tale, but that is far from the whole point of the film. this film explores a hopeful and optimistic view of what interneti think the best way to watch this film is to ignore the "Beauty and the Beast" angle of the marketing.

yes, this film *contains* a 'retelling' of the classic tale, but that is far from the whole point of the film. this film explores a hopeful and optimistic view of what internet connectivity can enable and birth. THAT is the heart of this film, and it should come as no surprise that some terminally online folk miss the point/execution of a film commenting on the state/potential of being terminally online.

this film is hosoda's best so far, followed closely by mirai, and while it may lose some viewers due to how exceptionally japanese it is, it is easily one of the best films of this/last year, and one of the best anime films in recent memory.

i'm not a fan of "dubs" still being a thing in anime, for the same reason i don't like live-action foreign films being dubbed, but i guess i understand why it's still happening. i watched the subtitled version and the acting was exceptional. in addition to kaho nakamura's singing voice being entirely untouchable, it's kind of hard to believe this is her first acting gig. while i'm very familiar with how japanese artists (including voice actors) approach channeling/conveying emotion, i was still in a state of awe at some of the moments she pulls off. "breathtaking" barely does it justice.

all of that said, from everything i've heard, they cast english voice actors who come surprisingly close to their JP counterparts; Kylie McNeill in particular is extremely impressive, and she (probably unintentionally) emphasizes the difference between theater acting and typical english "voice acting". if we gotta have anime dubs for a while yet, they should absolutely make a shift into using theater actors more.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Ptipana

Jan 26, 2023

This movie was great. The music, the animation, and the Japanese voice actors all made this movie worth watching.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Elthor

Aug 16, 2022

I'll be brief.
Yes, the story is Disney's Beauty and the Beast meets Hannah Montana and (oddly) Summer Wars.
Some of the plotting is awkward. Some of the backstories feel stuffed in unnecessarily. ...and watching this movie just made me happy. I'm a fan of Mamoru Hosoda's work and I'd sayI'll be brief.
Yes, the story is Disney's Beauty and the Beast meets Hannah Montana and (oddly) Summer Wars.
Some of the plotting is awkward. Some of the backstories feel stuffed in unnecessarily.
...and watching this movie just made me happy.
I'm a fan of Mamoru Hosoda's work and I'd say this is one of his top three.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bertobellamy

Jan 25, 2022

Sure, 'Belle' explores an unoriginal concept —social media as a double-edged sword—; some subplots feel very random, and the out-of-nowhere finale, although somewhat dark, lacks development. Despite all of this, it's hard to call it a failure. The visuals, especially those of "U" —theSure, 'Belle' explores an unoriginal concept —social media as a double-edged sword—; some subplots feel very random, and the out-of-nowhere finale, although somewhat dark, lacks development. Despite all of this, it's hard to call it a failure. The visuals, especially those of "U" —the virtual world where Suzu, the protagonist, escapes her sorrow to turn into Bell, a world-renowned singer — are breathtaking; the 3-D graphics blend seamlessly with the 2-D animation to create exhilarating vistas full of cool characters. And, of course, the drama and anxiety around Suzu translate very well the teenage angst of a traumatized girl that, in the end, finally understands the soothing power of opening herself to others. Loved the music and the Spanish (Latin) dub.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Voodoo123

Feb 19, 2023

This heartfelt animation explores a young girls journey as she navigates the themes of human kindness, the awkwardness of adolescence and loss using a virtual internet world as outlet to be free and creative using an anonymous avatar. The emotional beats hit their cue nicely and theThis heartfelt animation explores a young girls journey as she navigates the themes of human kindness, the awkwardness of adolescence and loss using a virtual internet world as outlet to be free and creative using an anonymous avatar. The emotional beats hit their cue nicely and the soundtrack is decent but I felt the logic choices of the characters in the story were unrealistic. Also for my taste I thought the use of cg animation and overall design choices in that space detracted from the other more traditional 2d hand drawn style used in the 'real world'. Overall if you're a fan of anime and teen drama this will entertain you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kartong

Jun 16, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie combines every trope, lack of basic logic, and put them in a blender of self-righteousness before spitting out a sorry excuse for a story. All in all, it's a complete mess. It's unfocused at best and infuriating at worst. I truly do not understand where all of the love comes from, because there is nothing in this that could be described as anything but cliché. And the climax? I should not have to say that a teenage girl going to face an aggressive abuser on her own and that glaring at him is enough to put him in his place is a dangerous message to spread, but here we are. Because Belle doesn't care if its messages are actually good, only that they can be made to look good.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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32	#32 Best Movie of 2022
76	#76 Most Discussed Movie of 2022