Beauty and the Beast (Disney) Reviews

• One of the best films ever made!

  
  By A2198FZZMTJ38H on 2001-05-08
  Disney's animated version of the classic tale, "Beauty and the Beast," is every bit as enchanting as the "tale as old as time" that it tells, making its way into our hearts as well as motion picture history. Being the first film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as six nominations altogether, Disney proves that it has what it takes to make an animated feature enjoyable for adults and children. I remember watching the film as a small child, and now, as an adult, is hasn't lost its luster, and everything is just as I enjoyed it before.

  Through brilliant animation and song, as well as some terrific voice talents, the story of unexpected love comes to new and exciting life. Small-town girl Belle is forced to head into the woods once her father turns up missing, bringing her to a gloomy, secluded castle where she finds him and his captor, a vicious-looking beast. Of course, the beginning of the movie explains the beast's origins: he was once a selfish prince who, after turning out an old beggar woman, was transformed, given an enchanted rose, and told "if he could learn to love another, and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time."

  This begins their rocky-turned-romantic relationship, as they begin to warm to one another. Meanwhile, the town brute, Gaston, has plans of his own, involving some sinister maneuvers involving Belle's father in hopes that she will agree to marry him.

  Many have hailed this as the best of Disney's films, and they wouldn't be wrong in saying so, either. It's easy to see why the movie has become such a success: there are elements at work in this film, just as in every other Disney film, only they seem to have taken on a small degree of maturity with this film's creation.

  The animation is some of the best and most believable I've seen for an animated film in a long time. Most of the scenes involving solely characters is the same as most of Disney's works, but there are scenes of pure life-like reality that have a special flare to them. The ballroom scene is one such scene: the camera angles sweep across a room filled with high-arched glass windows and a chandelier which looks as real as the words you're reading on this page. Some nice effects go into the creation of the castle as well, especially in the end once everything returns to normal.

  The is one of the most moving Disney soundtracks to come along since that of "Cinderella" and "Pinocchio." It is clear that composers were striving to capture the feeling and influence of their previous score for "The Little Mermaid," and they truly succeed in doing so. The songs are delightful and will have kids and adults alike smiling and singing along. The score is the perfect underlining for scenes of romance as well as tension and suspense. In case you were wondering, three of the originally written songs were nominated for Academy Awards; that should say something.

  This is one of Disney's most ambitious and successful projects, ranking alongside such cinematic achievements as the successes of "Citizen Kane" and "Gone With The Wind." Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, as well as its Oscar nominations, "Beauty and the Beast" is a hallmark of a time when movies were something that everyone, young and old alike, could enjoy on the same levels. This is the best picture of 1991.
  
  

• My Favorite Disney Classic

  
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2003-09-04
  Belle is bored with life in her village. Her only escape is her books, and she longs to have an adventure of her own. When her father heads out to a fair, he gets lots, and Belle finds him in an enchanted castle. The objects are thrilled, because if she and their master, the Beast, fall in love, they will all be freed from the enchantment. But will Belle be able to see past the outward appearance? And what about the handsome bore back home who wants to marry Belle?

  I feel in love with this movie the first time I saw it, and that love has only grown over the years. The story is the right mix of fun and uncertainty. Gaston was a wonderful addition to the mix because his story was the part I was most uncertain about the first time around. The artwork on the film catches your eye from the first shot of the castle, and doesn't let go. Beside the incredible background shots are wonderful drawings of the characters. I especially love the boyish excitement they manage to give the Beast in several scenes. Finally, there's the music. Every song adds to the story and is memorable in its own right.

  This DVD is perfect for any fan of this movie. Disc 1 includes three versions of the film. The first is the "in progress" version shown to the New York film festival 6 weeks before the premier of the movie in 1991. While it's fun to have, I won't be watching it regularly. The second version is the original release. And finally comes the special edition, with the added scene and "Human Again." Ironically, this is probably my least favorite of the songs added to the Broadway version, but it does advance the story. And, there's always the option of watching the original version. Obviously, the version that you are supposed to watch is the special edition, as the audio commentary and sing along bonus features only work with this option. All three come in Dolby 5.1 sound, which sounds great.

  The second disc features hours of bonus material. Most of it focuses on the making of this movie. Everything is covered, from original idea through characters and the Broadway version and special edition. Galleries show character designs over the course of the project. Also featured is the original treatments for "Human Again" and "Be Our Guest." Celebrity voices give background on the original story and Disney versions of classic tales. And there's a fun documentary as the stars of "Even Stevens" take a backstage look at all the work that goes into making a feature animated film.

  This is the only film so far to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Watching the film, the reason is clear. This is something the entire family can enjoy. Don't miss your opportunity to catch this classic film.
  
  

• An entirely captivating masterpiece!

  
  By A2DRHY9HJ4DE1F on 2002-09-28
  It's definitely one of the best animated features of all time. I mean it was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar that it really deserved! An Enchanting tale, catchy songs, magnificent scenes, and a whole line of lovable timeless characters. Also one of Disney's biggest box-office hits, Beauty and the Beast is loved by both children and adults. Just like "Snow white and the 7 dwarfs" it deserves to be in all-time great lists and just like "The Lion King" it deserves to be a top 10 Box-Office Hit! Thing is this feature is even better on Imax. Imagine a 3-D (almost Monsters Inc. type) Beauty and the Beast film. The whole saga is made to fall in love with. If you don't enjoy the story, you'll enjoy the songs at least. If you hate the songs you'll love the characters- and so on! It's like the classical Disney cartoons- funny but moving. It's sad but at the same time suspenseful. Beauty and the Beast is definitely one of my all-time favourite films. Boy can the singers sing! And the OST LP? Boy-just listen to Celine Dion's serene voice in the title track! Words fail me (in the good way). It's timeless- it's a perfect masterpiece. If you loved the Lion King, you'll love this. It's a treat to watch it again on the big screen! Even with all the computerized animated features collecting big bucks at the Box-office- Beauty and the Beast stands high above all others.

  The story revolves around a cold-hearted prince who refuses to help a fairy disguised as an old woman. As a result the fairy turns the prince into an ugly beast lost forever in his 'magical' castle where the rose petals count the days until he finally dies unless someone can fall in love with him as a beast. Then the story starts with Belle- a sweet lovable character that loves to read and sing. The film introduces all the characters as they show Belle's father arriving at the Beast's castle for help and Belle going on a 'mission' to save her dear old daddy. This isn't a spoiler so I won't tell you the rest! In short the main question is, can Belle actually fall in love in the ruthless Beast?

  It's worth the purchase because it's a magnificent musical, a spectacular show, it has comedic characters, and it's overall a fantastic feature!
  
  

• Beauty and the Beast coming next year.....

  
  By A2OVR63TMZ8FJJ on 2001-10-10
  Jeez I hate to waste my opportunity to review this movie right now but the purpose of these reviews is to be helpful. The most helpful thing I can happily contribute is Disney is releasing Beauty and the Beast on DVD next year and plans to release each subsequent film on a one per year basis. That means Aladdin probably won't be available for two years and Lion King for three. Its very frustrating to have to wait this long for these titles and hopefully public pressure will encourage them to accelerate the pace of the release. As far as the new Beauty and the Beast disc goes I believe you can expect to see some of the following supplements. Addition of the deleted song "Be Human Again" sung by the enchanted objects in the house after Belle arrives and they begin to have hope the curse will be broken...(This will not be added to the film itself) Pencil animated version of 'Be Our Guest" where the song is sung to Maurice instead of Belle. Belle was swapped in to make the story flow better. Television promotional featurette for the film with interviews with Angela Lansbury Paige O'Hara and other cast members as well as animators Glenn Keane Will Finn and others. I suspect there will be a commentary, concept sketches and storyboard images. I am one of the few people to have seen this but I would love it if they would include as a hidden easter egg a joke animation from "Gaston." When Gaston sings....and every last inch of me's covered with hair" he pulls open his shirt and instead of the hairy chest is a pair of flouncy bosoms in a bra with tassels. I wouldn't count on that one. Depending if they want to release a two disc version at the same or different price you might also get Beauty and the Beast the Work in Progress reel. Which is another full version of the film in an unfinished state shown in a limited pre-screening. Inserted throughout the film where it was not yet completed are either rough, cleanup pencil or storyboard sketches to fill in the gaps. Its a fascinating way to see the animation process in its various stages. As the disc is not finalized yet I can not say for one hundred percent sure what will be included. If it is like the new Snow White DVD there could be a heck of a lot more. I would not expect to see the DVD until next Summer at the very earliest and probably not 'til winter. I know many of you are wondering when? when? when? so I am sacrificing my opportunity to review one of my favorite films to let you know.
  
  

• What's wrong with this movie?

  
  By ANVFMW4G470WR on 2002-10-12
  The biggest flaw in this story ... is that it makes a 45-year-old man cry like a child every time I watch it. My opinions on Disney movies vary -- some are good, some are almost unwatchable -- but "Beauty and the Beast" is the best work the studio has ever done.

  Why do I love this movie so much? I think it's the music. In some musicals (animated or live), as soon as a song begins, the story comes to a grinding halt. (Can anyone remember one tune from "Mulan"?) But in this film, the music by Ashman and Menken advances the story marvellously. Animation and voice acting combine in a near-flawless performance, and the use of computer animation in the ballroom dance sequence was ground-breaking in its time.

  As for the added features, the added song "Human Again" is a wonderful fun number. I can understand why it was left out of the original version, but its inclusion really doesn't detract from the story (it's another big production number like "Be Our Guest", not really essential to the plot, but helps us get to know the supporting characters).

  The "making of" features are fairly interesting; the on-disk games I can take or leave. But the film itself is still the gem, worth the purchase price all by itself; the standard by which all other Disney movies are measured.
  
  

• HORRIBLE transfer of my favorite movie of all time
  By on 2002-10-14
  How any fan of this fantastic film can accept this HORRIBLE transfer is shocking. The dvd supposedly contains not only the special edition but also the original theatrical edition, but the reality is that the mis-named "original theatrical" edition is a mutilated version that is definitely NOT the film shown in theaters in 1991. The colors were drastically changed, making brown things red, red things pink, and erasing all shadows into virtual non-existence.
  
  Gone is the palette of beautiful rich colors that were used when the film was made. In their place we have a pastel, ... saturday-morning cartoon palette where shadows don't exist. Instead of keeping the brooding, gothic, mysterious castle that once existed, the dvd lightened it up so there are no more mysterious shadows. Now you can see everything quite clearly, including the Beast (when he was supposed to be lurking in shadows as a plot device).
  
  The backgrounds were literally replaced with computer generated backgrounds for the imax presentation, which is fine for the special edition. But they also used the new backgrounds for the supposed "original theatrical" version as well. Oh, and did I mention that they went in with a computer to completely re-draw the characters to make them smoother? They used those altered images for the so-called "original theatrical" version, too. They also cut off the top and the bottom of the film to make the aspect ratio 1.85:1, when the original film was made in 1.66:1 (much closer to your actual "regular" tv shape). Add those changes to the edited dialogue (there is no more stuttering Beast) and the horrid pastel colors that replaced the vibrant colors that used to be, and you have one big mess. ... - what Disney calls the "original theatrical" version is just the special edition without the human again sequence.
  
  ...
  
  
• For Your Princess
  By A3KKM0T1KY42HA on 2006-08-23
  It's so wonderful to live in a time when Disney's strange behavior of taking their classics off the market can be circumvented by great Internet marketers like Amazon. I was able to buy this 5 Star Disney Princess classic just last week for my young princess through one of Amazon's third-party sellers. And without that opportunity, my little princess may have outgrown Beauty and the Beast by the time Disney released it again.
  
  Let me just say that my little one was absolutely captivated by Beauty and the Beast, and to think that she would be deprived by Disney itself from seeing it at her perfect age is criminal.
  
  There are plenty of other reviews here to discuss the movie's contents, so I won't go on about that. I will say that you should take advantage of purchasing Beauty and the Beast now via one of this site's resellers if you have a little princess that might not appreciate it as much when Disney decides that it's time.
  
  And indeed, you will enjoy Beauty and the Beast as thoroughly as your young one.
  
  Side Note on Resellers: Beware of exorbitant reseller prices; renting may be a better option if available. Also beware of REGION 2 resales; Region 2 DVDs will not play in most US DVD players. Look for Region 1 US Amazon resellers.
  
  
• Wrong message to kids
  By on 2002-03-14
  This movie is my daughter's favorite Disney film. It is also the one animated Disney picture I will never own. The message in this movie is that your ill-tempered, immature, violent boyfriend will change if you just love him enough. I don't want my daughter or her twin brother to think that abuse on any level - verbal, physical, psychological, etc. (all of which Belle tolerates) is ever okay. Especially not in a kids movie. Haven't we learned YET that childhood - early childhood - is where seeds are planted??
  
  
• Try Again Disney
  By A21WT2PK3B574D on 2002-12-03
  I'm giving this edition a 1 star rating because Disney messed up the video quality. By including 3 versions of the film onto a single disc, the result is high video compression. The low quality is noticable on larger tv screens. As a friend of mine said before, this should've been a 3 disc set w/ 1 version on each disc. Wait til it's reissued if you want a high quality dvd.
  
  
• The best of the best finally hits DVD.
  By A2BZCHIDR5FTYA on 2004-10-22
  We all know the tale of Belle (the Beauty) and her beastly prince. Boys and girls alike grew up begging to hear the story at bed time, over and over and over...
  
  Of all the fairy tales out there "Beauty & the Beast" is the favorite of most kids, especially the girls. I am no exception. I was already in my twenties when I found out that the Disney Studio was creating this, my favorite tale, in animated magic as only Disney can do! It was torture to wait for the movie to hit the theater. I took my little boy to see it on opening weekend. I was as enthralled with the magic as he was.
  
  Today, I still feel this way about the movie. Of course I purchased the VHS on the day it was released to the public. However, getting this tale in DVD was a "no brainer". DVD lasts so much longer than VHS and is not quite so fragile or wear out so quickly. On birthdays and special occassions, this would be a wonderful gift!
  
  And let us not forget that unlike the VHS, this DVD set has so many extras! The movie may be 90 mins to two hours long, but the extras are even longer! You get behind the scene glances and see the wonder of how it was created. I had no idea that there was so much involved! Animation gets no better than this.
  
  Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
  
  
  
• One of the Best (Disney) Movies Ever!
  By A28ERDII8FZQQ9 on 2002-04-17
  Disney's animated version of the classic tale, "Beauty and the Beast," is every bit as enchanting as the "tale as old as time" that it tells, making its way into our hearts as well as motion picture history. Being the first film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as six nominations altogether, Disney proves that it has what it takes to make an animated feature enjoyable for adults and children. I remember watching the film as a small child, and now, as an adult, is hasn't lost its luster, and everything is just as I enjoyed it before.

  Through brilliant animation and song, as well as some terrific voice talents, the story of unexpected love comes to new and exciting life. Small-town girl Belle is forced to head into the woods once her father turns up missing, bringing her to a gloomy, secluded castle where she finds him and his captor, a vicious-looking beast. Of course, the beginning of the movie explains the beast's origins: he was once a selfish prince who, after turning out an old beggar woman, was transformed, given an enchanted rose, and told "if he could learn to love another, and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time."

  This begins their rocky-turned-romantic relationship, as they begin to warm to one another. Meanwhile, the town brute, Gaston, has plans of his own, involving some sinister maneuvers involving Belle's father in hopes that she will agree to marry him.

  Many have hailed this as the best of Disney's films, and they wouldn't be wrong in saying so, either. It's easy to see why the movie has become such a success: there are elements at work in this film, just as in every other Disney film, only they seem to have taken on a small degree of maturity with this film's creation.

  The animation is some of the best and most believable I've seen for an animated film in a long time. Most of the scenes involving solely characters is the same as most of Disney's works, but there are scenes of pure life-like reality that have a special flare to them. The ballroom scene is one such scene: the camera angles sweep across a room filled with high-arched glass windows and a chandelier which looks as real as the words you're reading on this page. Some nice effects go into the creation of the castle as well, especially in the end once everything returns to normal.

  The is one of the most moving Disney soundtracks to come along since that of "Cinderella" and "Pinocchio." It is clear that composers were striving to capture the feeling and influence of their previous score for "The Little Mermaid," and they truly succeed in doing so. The songs are delightful and will have kids and adults alike smiling and singing along. The score is the perfect underlining for scenes of romance as well as tension and suspense. In case you were wondering, three of the originally written songs were nominated for Academy Awards; that should say something.

  This is one of Disney's most ambitious and successful projects, ranking alongside such cinematic achievements as the successes of "Citizen Kane" and "Gone With The Wind." Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, as well as its Oscar nominations, "Beauty and the Beast" is a hallmark of a time when movies were something that everyone, young and old alike, could enjoy on the same levels.

  Be my guest, and see this movie.
  
  

• Buy this DVD set, you WON'T regret it!
  By A1CDZM5YMB61PD on 2002-11-01
  Belle (voice by Paige O'Hara) is a strong willed girl, who just can't settle into the simple life of farming and childrearing, so beloved by those around her, particularly the handsome but arrogant Gaston (Richard White), who wants Belle to be his subjected and submissive wife. But when Belle falls into the hands of a Beast that lives in an enchanted castle (Robby Benson), she finds more adventure than she could have imagined. The Beast is gruff and short-tempered, and yet, there is something more...
  
  I was lucky enough to get my hands on the Beauty and the Beast Platinum Edition, and boy am I happy! This DVD set contains no less than three version of the movie: the original theatrical release edition; the Work-In-Progress edition (shown at the 1991 New York Film Festival); and (my favorite) the Special Edition, which includes an all-new musical sequence called "Human Again." They worked this last piece in so well that when watching it I almost believed that it was part of the original movie! The movie itself is very well done, with an exciting story, wonderful music, and great animation. This is one of Disney's greatest movies!
  
  And, that's not all of the extras! This DVD set has a Making Of (hosted by Celine Dion!), two music videos, two (!) games, various behind-the-scenes extras, and so much more! This is a great DVD set!
  
  OK, this review has a lot of exclamation marks, but that is because I am so excited about this DVD set. This is a magnificent movie, turned into an outstanding DVD. I cannot recommend this item enough. BUY IT!
  
  
• All Beauty!!!
  By A27FR2C67JPDRS on 2002-02-24
  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
  
  
• Can you say second best animated motion picture ever???
  By A1ZJJL01LVZQGU on 2002-09-25
  This is the second best animated motion picture ever, second only the other Disney classic, Fantasia. This is perfect for everyone who loves romance, adventure, excitement, drama comedy and just having a good time watching a movie.

  The animation is beautiful, but then again, every Disney movie is. The colors are vibrant and you just can't take your eyes off of the screen.

  The voices are perfect. Close your eyes and listen to Gaston and you can't help but imagine a big hairy hunter with a bad attitude and a chest the size of a football field. Paige O'Hara is the only person I would ever want to hear as Belle. She has a beautiful voice, so innocent yet so daring when she needs to be. She has the most glorious singing voice. Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury are cast so perfectly. I mean, I can't think of any other word but perfect for the voice casting in this movie. I would love to go into more detail, but I can't think of anything beside perfect. Chip is called Chip and he has a chip taken out of his cup. How much better can you get?

  The music, oh, the music is glorious. It begins with a song and you're hooked. It is a sweeping chorus number, both great music and lyrics. The movie is a book and each song highlights a chapter. Robbie Benson, whew, what a voice. "Be Our Guest" is a rousing crowd pleaser that'll have you tapping your toes and hitting the rewind button to listen to it again and again so you can learn the words for the next time you sing along. Broadway staple Angela Lansbury shines when she sings "Beauty And The Beast," far better than Celine Dion and that other guys version.

  This movie teaches you how love conquers all and that if it's worth doing for love, then it's worth doing at all. Don't give up on your dreams, but then the Beast lets Belle leave. But he coes it because he loves her and he knows what she has to do. Then she comes back because she loves him and they live happily ever after.

  This is the best animated movie since Fantasia and every animated movie that follows is going to have a big shadow to crawl out of. It was more than worthy of its Academy Award nomination and I'm not ashamed to say that it could have very well benn, and probably should have been, the upset winner of the year. Alas, it wasn't. But to no avail. It's on Broadway and it has a glorious and long overdue deluxe edition coming out on DVD and you can take it to the bank, I'm buying this on the first day of release.

  Buy this movie. Let your kids watch it. Watch it yourself. Watch it with your kids. This is a classic story and is told as beautifully as ever before. It is plain and simple the one movie that you just can't go wrong with. Buy this movie, I give it my highest recommendation.
  
  

• a Disney classic with tons of bells and whistles
  By A2C27IQUH9N1Z on 2002-11-07
  Having a toddler, we didn't have the chance to see this film in a theater so we were very pleased to receive a complementary copy from Disney, and have watched the film many times in the past week. The movie a real Disney classic in the sense that it appeals to children and adults. The introduction tells the story of a selfish prince who, being uncharitable and unkind to an old woman, is turned into a beast while his castle and servants are enchanted. They can only be returned to their natural state if the prince falls in love, and is loved in return, before the last petal drops off an enchanted rose. The animation and Menken-Ashman songs are some of Disney's best. The film deserved its Oscar nomination, and you can see why it became a successful Broadway musical.

  You could spend days looking through all the dvd material. If you've seen the special editions of Snow White or Monsters, Inc. you'll know what to expect. There are two discs: the first contains three versions of the film -- the original theatrical release, the IMAX theater edition with the new song 'Human Again', and a fascinating "work-in-progress" version that alternates between pencilled, cartooned and fully animated representations. Disc Two contains many dvd extras. There are games, trivia quizzes, featurettes about the making of the film as well as the musical on Broadway, two music videos, and excellent features showing the behind-the-scenes doings of cast, voice work and art. Our favorite extras were Mrs. Potts' Personality Profile Game, where you answer several questions and are told which character you most resemble, and "The Story Behind the Story" where celebrities recount the origins of many Disney tales, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Jungle Book, Mulan, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty & the Beast. I really enjoy seeing the layouts and designs, and how the animations are drawn and developed. The trivia games are lots of fun, and IMHO they work better than the games requiring navigation with the remote.

  Packaging and foldout look very nice and, with so many options, are extremely helpful for finding the features you're interested in. We are very happy with this excellent family film and the many extra features included.
  
  

• A Travesty to Disney Heritage
  By A3EP80JWZZJBXE on 2003-01-15
  When I bought Disney's Beauty and the Beast "Special Platinum Edition" I was expecting just that, a high quality film with added extras not contained on the original. Instead, what I found myself with was a tampered work of art, a disgraced former masterpiece. The entire movie looks like it has had it's color stripped from it and repainted with bargain bin paints. No longer are there rich colors, sharp contrasts, and beautiful sceney, but now the film looks worse than it's straight to video sequel. The cover looks great, that's what the film used to look like, but the actual DVD is no where near that good looking. Some of the animation looks like it has had some of its detail removed and when I was watching it seemed like some of the frame rate was reduced because of the sluggish movement of the characters mouths when speaking. It is a completely different movie and I have since returned my copy and stuck with my original release. Some of the games and extra features are interesting and entertaining, but that's really like saying a TV show was awful, but there was a funny commercial here and there. I wish Disney would stop messing around with their work and just leave it the way we all saw it and loved it in the theaters. Walt would have never let something like this leave the studio if he were still running it, and that's the bottom line.
  
  
• can i give this about 112 stars?!?!
  By A2JTF5W7579V4L on 2006-07-28
  where to begin!! this is without a doubt the greatest disney film EVER! there are no negative elements to this masterpiece. the story is a clever and well done adaptation of another classic fairy tale. the storyline is well executed because not once does it dumb down it's romantic love story for small children. with strong leading characters and well developed supporting ones, this is truely a great film. the animation is so realistic it is always beautiful in every detail and in every way.
  
  now i get to the music. WOW!!! this is a fantastic score, possibly one of the greatest musical scores of all time. the intensity and passion of every song is unbelievable for any movie, let alone a disney film. the songs themselves have a wonderful broadway feel and are all catchy and unique. again they are all powerful and fun.
  
  Although i'm just a little biased, this movie deserved to win the oscar for best motion picture, and i don't know why it didnt. as i said, this is a great film in the disney cannon and on it's own. this is truely the best of the best!
  
  
• Excellent job Disney.
  By A283NP8NG7X11F on 2003-10-23
  I saw this when it first came out in theaters back in 1992. I was only 7 or 8 at the time, and it just didn't appeal to me as much as The Little Mermaid or The Rescuers Down Under. I don't really know why, but having just getting the DVD in the mail, my view of the movie is completely different.

  Beauty and the Beast really is one of Disney's top 4 animated films. How they managed to combine a massive cast of characters into the main plot is amazing. Beast is one of my favorite Disney characters after re-watching this. There's so much emotion inside of him. Anger, rage, pity, ambition, and love. You'll really care for him from the moment he appears on screen. Belle is possibly the most humble heroine to date. She doesn't see that she's beautiful, but just cares for helping others and reading books. The supporting cast is just as good. Gaston, the villain, is just a....well I can't use the word. You can bet your money you'll feel the same way. But the characters are just the icing on the cake. The story is what the strong point's always been. Disney did a great job adding so much more to it, whereas the original didn't focus on anyone but Belle and the Beast really. But I'm sure you all know the story, so I'll just get into the features on this DVD.

  On the first disc, you get 3 different versions of the film- theatrical, work in progress, and special edition. The theatrical is what you saw in theaters or on the home video release. Work in progress is mostly drawings in black and white while the voices and everything else is put in. The special edition has a few lines changed here and there, and the added musical "Human Again" into the film. Personally, I hated "Human Again". It comes right after and before other songs in the film, making you want them to just get on with the story. Plus the animation in it really stands out since it's newer and has those annoying shadows on every character that you see in so many made for video animated movies. There's also a commentary track that adds a lot of depth and information, and a game that unlocks another game. People complain about the picture quality of the movie, but it's not that bad. On a scale of one to ten, I'd give it a 7.5.

  The second disc has a well done documentary on the making of Beauty and the Beast, story origins of a few other Disney movies, art galleries, music videos, more games, and much more. Amazon lists that the Broadway Musical is on this, but it isn't. It's mentioned in the documentary, that's all. This sets the standard for extras on Disney special editions of their movies. It's too bad The Lion King has nothing compared to this. Either way, if you like Disney at all...or just movies, you should go for this while you can. It's a masterpiece, and getting harder to find.
  
  

• EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING PICTURE QUALITY
  By A2M3HGSTZNMKCC on 2002-10-24
  My family was really looking forward to the release of this DVD. When we played the movie for the first time we were horrified by the poor picture quality. The prominent horizontal black lines completely ruin the anticipated DVD EXPERIENCE. The image quality is far worse than my daughter's most abused VHS video. I would not recommend this as a DVD buy.
  
  
• Simply the Best
  By A1TKYAYESYHIA2 on 2006-05-08
  
  "Beauty and the Beast" is an excellent animation movie that is a timeless classic. The movie is a marvellous plot, beautiful music and remarkable art cinematography.
  
  My two young daughters are enchanted by Belle, who they see as a role model. She is exceptionally brave, very intelligent, unselfish and pretty and cannot be pushed around by anyone. She refused to marry the most eligible man in the village because of his despicable character and she falls in love with the beast because of its beauty within, not outside appearance. (The beast risks his life to rescue Belle from a pack of wild animals and he frees her so that she can be re-united with her sick father.)
  
  This is a moving film that has won an Oscar. It teaches a great lesson to children that it is a person's heart that matters, not what they own, their status in society or other outward appearances. This is exquisite entertainment for the whole family. Every kid should see this movie.
  
  
  
• One of Disney's Best Films
  By A1J2931UBBJPXM on 2001-12-12
  Indeed, it's a tale as old as time, with a complex message that is as ageless as it is universal; but beneath all the layers it can be summed up very simply: love one another, and refrain from judging others who "seem" to be "different." And leave it to Disney to present it in such a way that it can be embraced and understood by young and old alike as they have here, in one of their best animated features ever, "Beauty and the Beast," directed by Gary Trousdale. When a young Prince fails the test of an enchantress disguised as an old hag, she transforms him into a hideous beast, as he is destined to remain until he opens his heart and learns how to love and be loved in return. And so that he'll know where he stands as time goes by, she gives him an enchanted rose, which will bloom until his twenty-first birthday, and he has only until the last petal falls from the flower to effect the change within himself that will be his salvation.

  The beast, however, seems doomed, as he shuts himself away, alone in his castle, taking up a reclusive existence far from everyone and everything. Until, one day, a beautiful young woman named Belle shows up at his doorstep. Belle is searching for her inventor father, Maurice, who disappeared while taking one of his latest inventions to the fair; and his trail leads Belle to the castle of the Beast, where she discovers he is being held prisoner, having run afoul of the Beast by trespassing while lost during the night of his journey. Repulsed by the appearance of the Beast, Belle nevertheless strikes a bargain with him: If he will release her father, she will stay in his place. The Beast agrees, with the stipulation that she must remain with him forever. And as the Beast casts Belle's father from the castle and sends him on his way, Belle's fate seems sealed. The only hope now for either Belle or the Beast lies in the remote possibility that true love may somehow prevail before the last petal of the enchanted rose falls.

  With the help of a richly textured screenplay (by Linda Woolverton) that invests the characters with a depth of humanity that is often lacking even in "non" animated films, and an Oscar winning score by Alan Menken, director Trousdale provides some real insights into human nature in this retelling of the familiar story of how true love can change even the darkest and coldest of hearts. There's magic in this film, which holds an enchantment of it's own, and the message is presented ever so subtly and with a sensitivity that draws you in gradually until you are so caught up in the story that you become immersed and totally involved without being consciously aware of it. It's a film that enfolds you and takes you where it will, and you go willingly. A beautifully rendered and realized film that successfully transcends it's genre, it is the first animated feature ever to be recognized and rewarded with an Oscar nomination for Best Movie (quite a feat in itself, as it received the nod over such films as "The Fisher King," "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Thelma and Louise" and John Singleton's "Boyz N the Hood" that year).

  The talented cast supplying the voices of the characters includes Paige O'Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (The Beast), Richard White (Gaston), Jerry Orbach (Lumiere), David Ogden Stiers (Cogsworth), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), Bradley Pierce (Chip), Rex Everhart (Maurice), Jesse Corti (LeFou), Hal Smith (Phillipe), Jo Ann Worley (Wardrobe), Brian Cummings (Stove), Alvin Epstein (Bookseller) and Kimmy Robertson (Featherduster). There's a scene in this film that is so entrancing and so emotionally involving that it stands up against the best from any drama ever made: As Angela Lansbury (as Mrs. Potts) sings the Oscar winning title song, Belle begins to perceive the true nature of the man within the Beast; and it's no longer the cold-hearted Prince upon whom the enchantress cast her spell, because he has changed. And as they come together and the Beast takes Belle in his arms, sweeping her in dance across the elegant ballroom floor, it becomes one of those rare cinematic "moments" that are entirely transporting, and it does, indeed, take you away. It's a memorable scene that exemplifies the quality and craftsmanship of this film, as does the scene in which the Beast is at last transformed; that such emotion can be captured and expressed in an animated film is an exemplary accomplishment, and it's all a part of why "Beauty and the Beast" is one of Disney's all time greatest films.

  One final note: Stay for the credits to hear Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's title song once again, this time performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. Hypnotically beautiful, this version has a magic all it's own and makes the perfect ending to an enchanting experience. It's all a part of the magic of the movies.
  
  

• A Disney film that deserves it's Best Picture Nomination
  By A2T7I92XX8MCU7 on 2002-02-06
  One of the better Disney pictures, this captivating 1991 musical is a treat, to say the least. A classic movie that when digitally restored with an additional scene, is better than it was, fully deserving of its Best Picture nomination.

  A beauty who is smart and loves to read books, goes to a magnificent castle, where her clumsy, warmhearted inventor father is being held captive by a cold-hearted beast (a prince under a witch's spell) and its inanimate objects (who are actually the prince's servants under the same spell).

  The girl rescues her father, but must stay with the beast in return, where he hopes to find someone who will love him before a magical rose's last petals fall, otherwise he will remain a beast forever.

  The movie, fully deserving of its well-earned Best Picture nomination and its Oscar-winning songs, is a delightful movie with inspired vocal acting, clever songs, captivating animation, and its solid morals intact. Rarely has a Disney movie be a fully enjoyable film for kids, as well as adults.

  Even without its bonus scene added to the Imax version of it, it's still a captivating, witty, and beautiful movie. See it when you can, but avoid the newest movies, such as "Atlantis." Those are good, but they're not the cinematic treat this memorable piece of Disney is. See the older ones, such as this one.
  
  

• ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC MOVIES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A1V7O3TXW2FQD5 on 2005-10-27
  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST IS A BEAUTIFUL AND ENCHANTING MOVIE. BELLE IS SWEET AND SMART SO SHE'S AN OUTCAST AND THE OBJECT OF GASTON'S AFFECTIONS. SHE CAN'T STAND HIM THOUGH AND IS VERY DOTING ON HER FATHER, WHICH WE SEE WHEN HE GETS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BY THE BEAST AND SHE TELLS HIM TO TAKE HER IN HIS PLACE. THE BEAST HAS BEEN CURSED BECAUSE OF HIS GEARTLESSNESS AND BELLE CHANGES THE BEAST BY MAKING HIM REALIZE HE HAS A NASTY TEMPER AND HE FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER AND SHE FEELS THE SAME WAY BUT SHE DOESN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL THE NED, WHICH IS A VERY TEARJERKING SCENE BUT OH SO ROMANTIC WHEN HE TURNS BACK INTO THE PRINCE.
  THIS IS A GREAT FAMILY MOVIE AND WILL TEACH THE CHILDREN A VALUABLE LESSON: DON'T BE DECEIVED BY APPEARANCES FOR BEAUTY IS FOUND WITHIN!
  TO ME THIS IS A MORE REALISTIC LOVE STORY BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE I KNOW FELL IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE NOT TOO NICE LOOKIN ON THE OUTSIDE BUT THEY WERE PRINCES UNDERNEATH. I ACTUALLY WATCHED THIS MOVIE BEFORE MY FIRST BLIND DATE AND I ENDED UP FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM AND MARRYING HIM EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T FIND HIM AT ALL GOOD LOOKING ON THE OUTSIDE BUT I GOT TO SEE HIS PERSONALITY WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THAT EVENTUALLY MADE HIM MORE BEAUTIFUL ON THE OUTSIDE, ALL BECAUSE I REMEMBERED THE LINE ABOUT BEAUTY WITHIN!
  THE ANIMATION IN THIS MOVIE IS DONE BEAUTIFULLY AND THE DANCE THEY SHARE IN THE BALLROOM WILL TRANSPORT YOU THERE, IT IS SO AWESOME AND ROMANTIC. THE SONGS WERE DONE WONDERFULLY AND THE DUET BETWEEN CELINE DION AND PEABO BRYSON AT THE END IS TIMELESS AND WONDERFUL.
  THIS IS MY SECOND FAVORITE MOVIE TO THE LION KING. IF I COULD GOVE THIS MOVIE 5 BILLION STARS I WOULD. BUY THIS DVD, THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE IT!
  
  
• garbage
  By on 1999-04-09
  walt disney would turn over in his grave at the terrible transformation of his classical animated cartoon format. the drawings, animation and dialogue are not disney. someone is obviously trying to recreate disney into another dimension, with little success i might add. all disney productions of late reflect this error in judjment. the classical style that disney created will pass the test of time. the new format will not.
  
  
• A shame to the Disney Company
  By A2754TZ6JXPAP9 on 2002-10-24
  This movie is less than par, in fact not even sub par. Leave it to disney to ruin a timeless classic such as this story. The animation is very very poor, the acting is regrettable, and the sound and picture quality are that of an old worn out tape.
  
  
• DVD Perfection: Beauty And The Beast Is Back
  By A5ZUZ49YRDPCV on 2003-03-08
  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.
  
  

• Amazing movie - less-than-perfect DVD treatment.
  By A37NL9EDUT23IV on 2005-10-12
  As Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite movie, it hurts me to have to take away a star from this review. However, I have a few problems that keep me from giving it a full 5 stars.
  
  By now, we all know the story of this beautiful film. We know the songs by heart, and it doesn't need to be mentioned that this is still the only animated movie to recieve an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. However, this DVD offers THREE versions - the "original theatrical version" which is the "Special Edition" but without the Human Again song that's in the "Special Edition" and a new version of the Work-In-Progress edition, previously available only on laserdisc and VHS in the deluxe box set Disney released in 1992. If you get a chance, please watch the Work-In-Progress edition.
  
  This DVD also includes a plethora of bonus features for kids and adults alike. Games for the kids, and serious behind-the-scenes materials, trailers, TV spots, galleries, etc. for the adults.
  
  However, I have some gripes about the transfer - namely edge enhancement. Cramming three versions of the movie onto one disc was a bad idea. In my opinion, the Work-In-Progress edition should have been on disc two. Also, I'm not too happy with how the film has been lightened up. The film was intended to have dark, muted colors. However, despite these flaws, the movie still retains all the beauty and charm I fell in love with nearly 15 years ago. And I love the newly added song, Human Again. Now, the original theatrical version feels empty to me.
  
  I'm also not too happy with how the bonus features sometimes appear in more than one spot, such as the Celine Dion music video appearing in two spots and having two versions of the making-of docu...one substantially longer, having more material, etc. It makes it look as if Disney padded this disc so it'd look like there were more bonuses than there are.
  
  However, I can't NOT recommend this DVD, but that's only because I'm absolutely biased. Unfortunately, it is now out of print, and copies tend to be expensive on eBay and Amazon Marketplace. However, it's definitely worth it, especially if you can get it used for a good price, and if a disc doesn't work, call 1-800-72-DISNEY, and for a fee of about $7, you can have the discs replaced through Disney's Disc Replacement Program.
  
  In conclusion, please don't hesitate to get this if you're willing to pay a good amount of money for it or if you're willing to risk buying it used. It's a gorgeous movie, and the bonus features are good. Despite my few gripes, it's worth the price.
  
  
• One think: The best
  By A2GR45U192FKPW on 2006-08-11
  Well I'm from Spain and I don't know if you will understand this. I think that Beauty and the beast is the best Disney movie just because...It's the best!!! Firstly because the story is very well and the romantic story beetwen Belle and the Beast is the best I've ever seen. Sometimes I think where can be a woman like Belle? where can I find her??? She is pretty, intelligent, brave, affectionanated, a good friend and of course she is very kind.
  Another thing that I would like to stand out is that songs are really good as well in English as in Spanish.
  Well I cann't explain how much I like this movie. THE BEST.
  
  
• A Winner This Time For Disney
  By A39CX0EE4BZCZC on 2007-09-18
  This story is a lot more appealing now that it's out on DVD. It looks and sounds super. The colors are bold, bright and just plain gorgeous. The sound separation is excellent. If you have a nice surround system, you'll be pleasantly surprised with this.
  
  The story is nothing extraordinary but decent with a lot of subtle humor mixed in with it, mainly with the talking objects in the castle. Little "teacup" is the cutest of the characters. The songs, with the exception of the title tune and a Busby Berkeley-type number, are nothing to write home about.
  
  Still, when you look at the whole picture, this is a solid movie and probably one of the Disney's all-time best animated movies.
  
  
• Classic movie, bad color
  By A3UV4VGIB0F3HO on 2002-10-23
  They converted the movie to all computer generated, including the "new" scenes. The pixels are awful on the DVD. You can see the color seperation. After you notice, it is hard to ignore. otherwise the same great movie as always.
  
  

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
• Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition)
• The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
• Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
• Pinocchio (Disney Gold Classic Collection)