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Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition) Customer Reviews (61 - 63 of 78 Reviews)

All Beauty!!!
This film, in my opinion, is the best Disney film ever made. The animation, the story and the delightful songs make it an absolute treat for anyone of any age. Now, Disney releases an IMAX version and it is even more stunning. The story of Belle, the independent, book-loving young woman stuck in a town that doesn't appreciate her, is as entertaining today as it was when it was released over a decade ago. Besides Belle, there is a host of other entertaining characters such as Lumiere, the candelabra, Ms. Potts, the teapot and of course, Chip, the precosious tea cup. The added scene, "Human Again", is a nice addition and seeing all the vibrant colors and incredible animation on the IMAX screen is a movie lover's dream. I'm hoping Disney will soon release this Oscar nominated film (the first animated film to be nominated for "Best Picture") on dvd. It is one of those beautiful movies that is perfect for the dvd format. For now, however, I'll just enjoy it on IMAX. Don't miss it on this screen, its worth your time and money

Timeless classic for the modern era
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991): To save her father from a fate worse than death, an unfulfilled country girl (voiced by Broadway star Paige O'Hara) agrees to be imprisoned inside an enchanted castle where the furniture is made up of living, breathing characters and the master of the house (Robby Benson) has been condemned by a witch to live in the form of a monstrous Beast. Only love can lift the curse...

Sheer cinematic joy! Produced in the wake of Disney's smash-hit THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989) and helmed by debut animation directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST combines animated spectacle with vivid characterizations and exuberant musical numbers in a confection which ranks alongside the very finest classics of Disney's 'golden age'. Returning to the European folk tales which had inspired many of their earlier animated features (SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, PINOCCHIO, etc.), scenarist Linda Woolverton leavens the essential romantic core of the film with exciting set-pieces and well-judged comic relief, and there are several stand-out sequences, designed and executed with breathtaking flair: A terrifying battle between the Beast and a pack of wolves, the spectacular and life-affirming 'Be Our Guest' number (voiced with remarkable dexterity by Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury), and the climactic assault on the castle, all of which are guaranteed to impress audiences young and old. Sadly, the film is dedicated to the memory of co-songwriter Howard Ashman, who passed away shortly before the movie opened in 1991.

There are small niggles: This 2-disc special edition is characterized, as ever, by Disney's relentless self-promotion. Every opportunity is taken to remind us that 'Beauty' was the first - and, to date, only - animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar (it lost to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). While the film deserves plaudits for its achievements in the field of animation, one wishes that Disney wasn't so eager to congratulate itself. Aren't WE supposed to tell THEM how good their movies are? Anyway, the disc itself is a work of art in its own right, and it does the film proud. There are three versions to choose from: The original theatrical print (84m 14s), a work-in-progress edition (also 84m 14s) which premiered at the New York Film Festival in 1991 with still-images taking the place of unfinished footage, and the 2001 'special edition' (91m 3s) produced exclusively for Imax theaters. This BIG SCREEN version includes extra footage (a showstopping musical number which suffers a little in comparison with the earlier 'Be Our Guest' sequence) which the filmmakers regret eliminating from the original theatrical print. Each version is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced) and they're all bursting with vivid colors and excellent detail. Sound format is Dolby 5.1 (remastered from the original 4.0 stereo version), and is appropriately thunderous. Extensive documentaries and interactive features will keep both children and adults entertained for several hours. English captions and subtitles are included, with a sing-along option for the various musical numbers.

NB. The movie was subsequently adapted - to great acclaim - for the Broadway stage, only to be sullied by an unnecessary TV series and a number of video-only sequels. Stick with the original.

DVD Perfection: Beauty And The Beast Is Back
On DVD, the Platinum Special Edition of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is a refreshing and aesthetic experience. The DVD comes loaded with special features- theatrical trailers, three versions of the film, soundtrack, Broadway musical and interactive games. Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991. It was Disney's most enduring classic, and one of the first to use computer generated effects which would pave the way for later films. The romantic, quasi Gothic tale revolves around a haughty prince, transformed into a hideous Beast, who must love a woman and earn her love in return. "But who could ever learn to love a beast ?." That would be Belle, the book-smart, beautiful, courageous and vibrant young heroine and one of the few Disney heroines who is not vain, vapid and helpless. Belle's father becomes imprisoned in the Beast's dungeon and Belle offers to take his place. During her stay in the Beast's castle, she becomes acquianted with the enchanted host of objects and furniture- Lumiere, the candelabra who speaks French like Maurice Chevalier, Cogsworth the uptight British clock, Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury) as the warm, motherly teapot an Chip the rambunctious tea cup. Belle saves the Beast with her love- and he is transformed into a handsome, human prince.

The villain in the film is Gaston, a ruggedly handsome, but self-centered and vainglorious hunter. Gaston is determined to make Belle his trophy wife, but his machinations (including locking up her inventor father, Maurice, in an insane asylum). The special effects are computer enhanced- particularily striking is the ballroom scene. Beauty and the Beast is full of memorable and catchy songs by Alan Menken and Tim Rice- "Beauty and the Beast", "Be Our Guest" "Belle", "Gaston" "Something There" "Kill the Beast" and the never before heard song "Human again". There is no wonder why the movie was made into a popular and successful Broadway musical.

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