Beauty and the Beast is one of the few Disney films that I realised that hadn’t actually seen. I have a good excuse, as I would have been 16 when it was released and far too cool for Disney. However, I sat and watched it and had the feeling that I had seen it. I think it’s because I actually knew nearly every song and could sing them. Being a fan of musicals, I imagine that they probably feature on one of my CD’s. However, the familiarity of the film was comforting.
I sat and watched with Toddler Boy and Fifi and we were completely mesmerized. I don’t think I have ever experienced such long periods of stillness from Fifi. She was transfixed. We all flinched, laughed and even (I am ashamed to admit) cried. It was so sad, and romantic and funny. OK, I think my hormones must be playing up or something. We are going to be watching it again, probably tomorrow, so I will get some tissues ready.
The story is based around the classic fairy tale with the addition of some talking teapots and candlesticks which I don’t recall in the fairly tale. It’s the story of Belle, who according to Toddler Boy is much more beautiful than me and her personal sacrifice to save her father. Her imprisonment with the Beast (a prince who has been turned into a monstrous beast) has its ups and downs and eventually leads to true love. I’ve pasted the official synopsis below, which is far better than I could manage.
The music is just superb, we loved it. The animation and quality on Blu-ray is just out of this world. I really think that it’s worth getting a Blu-ray player, even if it is only to see this film. You get chock loads of additional bits with this edition, there’s actually an additional disc of them.
We loved Beauty and the Beast, it’s now one of my favourite kids films and Toddler Boy actually told his dad all about it when he came home from work, so it clearly made an impression. You can find out more here on the official website.
The Official Synopsis:
Set in and around a quaint French village during the late 18th century, Beauty and the Beast follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a bright and beautiful young woman who finds escape from her ordinary life, and the advances of a boorish suitor, Gaston, by reading books. Meanwhile, off in a castle in the distance, a cruel young prince is cast under the spell of an enchantress who turns him into a tormented beast, while transforming his servants into animated household objects. In order to remove the curse, the Beast must discover a true love who will return his affection before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. When Belle’s inventor father stumbles upon the Beast’s castle and is taken prisoner, Belle comes to the rescue and agrees to take her father’s place. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, she sees beneath the Beast’s exterior and discovers the heart and soul of a human prince.
Blu-ray bonus features
* Backstage Disney
– Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind The Beauty and the Beast
– Broadway Beginnings
– Composing a Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn and Richard Kraft
* Deleted Scenes
– Alternate Story Open
– Belle in the Library
* Family Play
– Enchanted Challenge: A Disney Quest Game
– Bon Jour, Who is This? A Disney TelePlay Game
* Disney Channel Music Video
· Classic DVD Bonus Features
I’m an official Disney ambassador, they gave me this film to review, however that has not influenced me in any way, I love musicals so I was bound to like it really…
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What a great resource!