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| Disney's tale as old as time returns to big screen for the first time in nearly a decade. |
It should be no surprise to see the tale as old as time back on the big screen once more, particularly after the re-release of The Lion King 3D this past fall did more than exceed expectations and extended what was originally intended as a limited two-week engagement. With a Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray 3D releases on the shelf, Beauty and the Beast isn’t here to market these available options, but to give audiences the opportunity to see this classic on the big screen again or for some, the very first time. Disney is a business that constantly seeks to reach newer generations with their classics and re-releases are nothing new for the company.
Beauty and the Beast is the timeless tale of Belle, an out-of-place village girl who wants so much more than what her little village has to offer. Under a series of circumstances, Belle finds herself the prisoner of the Beast, after taking her father’s place after he intruded upon his castle. What begins as an awkward living arrangement soon blossoms into one of the most touching romances in not just animation, but cinema as a whole.
Beauty and the Beast is the timeless tale of Belle, an out-of-place village girl who wants so much more than what her little village has to offer. Under a series of circumstances, Belle finds herself the prisoner of the Beast, after taking her father’s place after he intruded upon his castle. What begins as an awkward living arrangement soon blossoms into one of the most touching romances in not just animation, but cinema as a whole.
There is nothing like seeing Beauty and the Beast in the theater; one could argue that it’s cheaper to purchase the classic on DVD or Blu-Ray and without the gimmick of 3D and heftier ticket prices forced upon audiences. That may be true, but Beauty and the Beast is a must see experience in the theater, sitting alongside fans who know all the songs by heart, seeing every intricate detail that’s missed on a home screen a fraction of the size and absorbing every moment of its magnificent soundtrack.
Like with The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast is shown only in 3D, giving audiences a depth of field to the hand drawn animation rather than the gimmicky uses of objects popping out of the screen for the sake of 3D. The use of 3D is seamless, leaving the viewer to forget that he or she is actually watching a 3D movie. The 3D isn’t necessary to enhance this classic, but it’s just the only way to see this movie once more in theaters.
Beauty and the Beast is probably one of Disney’s darker animated classics in its thematic elements, particularly the character of the Beast, whose character can be frightening at first to younger children. The pompous Gaston emerges as a dark character as well, willing to do anything to make Belle his wife. Despite all the macho hoorah and Popeye muscles, he’s one creepy soul who doesn’t know what the word “no” means.
Then there’s Belle, who is the finest of Disney’s lineup of princesses. She’s beautiful and independent and is a fantastic role model rather than the damsel-in-distress or even more so distressing damsel. Beauty and the Beast is full of memorable characters, even ones that aren’t even currently in a human state. The dynamic duo, Lumiere and Cogsworth, are prime examples of comic relief, playing off one another constantly and the rest of the Beast’s cursed servants are equally as noteworthy to round out this memorable cast of characters.
Then there’s Belle, who is the finest of Disney’s lineup of princesses. She’s beautiful and independent and is a fantastic role model rather than the damsel-in-distress or even more so distressing damsel. Beauty and the Beast is full of memorable characters, even ones that aren’t even currently in a human state. The dynamic duo, Lumiere and Cogsworth, are prime examples of comic relief, playing off one another constantly and the rest of the Beast’s cursed servants are equally as noteworthy to round out this memorable cast of characters.
The film remains a classic after twenty-plus years due to not only its lively characters, but its straight to the heart message found in the songs and the narrative that beauty is found within and once more love conquers all. Beauty and the Beast is visually and emotionally stunning from start to finish that gets the audience intensely involved in the romance between Belle and Beast and the personal obstacles needed to overcome all odds. The romance unfolds beautifully and quite poetically, culminating in the iconic ballroom dance number. Unlike many other animated films filled with song after song, every song in Beauty and the Beast is more than just a song, but a crucial point to perfect fairy tale storytelling. Disney has come close to matching the sheer beauty that is Beauty and the Beast, but surpassing this classic is near impossible as the film is everything that not only animated film should be, but what the definition of cinematic art is.
This re-release of Beauty and the Beast is the original cut, omitting the song “Human Again” from the 2002 IMAX release. The absence of this extra song is not a complete disappointment, since those who take to that song can enjoy it in their own home rather than in the theater. The success of Beauty and the Beast 3D may continue to usher more Disney re-releases in 3D, but at the same time no matter what is theatrically enhanced, seeing these classics once more or the first time is a must for any Disney fan.
GRADE: A+ (10/10)This review is also available Blu-Ray.com
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