10 Reasons Emma Watson's Version of Belle in Beauty and the Beast Is Better Than the Original

7. She has a tool belt—well, kinda. Another necessary wardrobe update: Belle's blue dress comes equipped with "pockets" that function "like a tool belt," according to Entertainment Weekly. How else is she going to carry around all of those books and tools? Again, props to Disney for choosing practicality over what's most "princess"-appropriate.

8. Belle is more "proactive" now. Watson told Entertainment Weekly that she worked with Condon early in the process to make sure Belle is more "in control of her own destiny" than she is in the animated version. The archetypical Disney princess waits for her Prince Charming, but Watson's Belle smashes that notion and has more agency in her life. This is the princess that young girls and boys need to see.

9. She turns a dress into an escape rope. When Belle is locked in Beast's castle, Madame de Garderobe (the wardrobe) tries to fashion her a pink, frilly "princess" dress for dinner. Belle is immediately turned off by the outfit and, instead of wearing it, turns it into a rope to try and escape the castle. (Meanwhile, the castle's servants fret that Belle must be so frightened and helpless in her room. Uh, not quite.) This quick scene is both a reminder that Belle is a crafty inventor and a commentary on not conforming to gender roles.

10. She rebels against the expectations of women in her village. Quickly into the film, the restraints placed on women in Belle's village are made abundantly clear. They're supposed to swoon over oafish brutes like Gaston, have babies quickly, and not read (or even really think). Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting children at a young age—your life, your happiness—but the way Belle rebukes these norms and forges her own path is inspiring. Obviously, Belle reads, but she also mentions in this remake that she's "not ready" for children or marriage, which are wild, quite revolutionary thoughts for this village. Plus, Belle empathizes with an older woman in the village who decided not to marry (everyone else calls her a "hag"). This is all just another reminder that any path you take is valid as long as you're fulfilled. For some, sure, that might be children—for Belle it's books. Well, and the Beast.