Belle sacrificing herself for her father isn't a feminist act. Women are socialised to be self sacrificing, to put mens needs above their own. Belle's sacrifice is very typical of what a woman 'should do'. The same is seen when she should be running away yet puts her safety and best interests to the side to take care of the beast. She puts the expectation of female caring, nurturing above her actual needs- safety, freedom.
Ew explaination is weak. No one expects a child's film to portray the details of Stockholm syndrom. That doesn't mean it doesn't make it likely this would be the case, her freedom gone, the beast is domineering and agressive from the start, threatens to starve her if she won't do as told, yells, bangs the door. Ew explaination that Belle 'gave as good as she got' is disturbing, victim blaming messages underlying. It's belles responsibility to humanise the beaSt, her love must change him- no victims love changes there abuser.
So so many children's stories are disturbing on so many levels, that doesn't mean we can't critic the newer versions that still manipulate these messages based on old stories horror. (Alice millers critic of red riding hood is particularly scary, easy to read on her website).
I love once upon a time also, except when it gets to Belle & the dark one, which seems too similar, that Belle would fall in love with her captor, that she would believe her love can bring out the light in him. The interpretation of the rest of the tales are amazing, but this one fails (as does Robert carlIsles acting, lack depth in this series). Shame cause I love the actress, & love that the three main leads are females & don't conform. (A beatnick like neal Cassady as a lost boy kicks ass too)