Title: Beauty and the Beast
Age: U
Released: 29th December 1991
Directors: Cullen Blaine
Daniel de la Vega
Barbara Dourmashkin
Dale Kase
Bob Kline
Burt Medall
Mitch Rochon
Genre: Children, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ***** (5/5 stars)
About: An arrogant young prince and his castle’s servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited, headstrong village girl Belle enters the Beast’s castle after he imprisons her father Maurice. With the help of his enchanted servants, including the matronly Mrs. Potts, Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.
Review: Ok, so I know most people already know about this film, BUT it is one of my all time favourites… So I’m just going to write a review anyway.
This is the perfect film for a family viewing, it has enough jokes to keep the adults entertained, but it is so subtle that it doesn’t affect the children in any way.
As an adult myself, I can still safely say that this is still one of my favourite films (although admittedly I have many). I love the music, the dancing, the characters and the emotion that is packed into this film.
Belle’s love for her father is so heart-warming to see. She willingly takes his place when she sees the beast and although she is frightened of him at first, she still loves her father so much that she gives up her freedom to save him.
Belle herself is just such a lovely character. She is kind, smart and loyal. She is the kind of person who deserves to be happy (which is how the film ends – in a perfect, loving way when the beast becomes her prince charming, emphasising that no one should judge anyone by the way they look – I mean just look at Gaston he is supposedly considered good looking and yet he is the cruel one).
This film allows fantasy and reality to be mixed as one, and it works as an animated film so I look forward to seeing the live-action film in 2017 (no doubt that I will be there for the first viewing).
It is simply a stunning film, with a perfect backdrop, gorgeous costumes and lovable characters (a.k.a Chip and Mrs Potts).
The ending did use to terrify me as a child (the scene where the beast and Gaston are fighting), but now I see it as a tense moment where the beast’s love for Belle truly wins.
Then there’s that magical moment when the rose’s last petal falls and you think that all hope is lost. BUT Belle professes her love and all is well and they live happily ever after – could you not ask for a more romantic and perfect Disney film?
I absolutely adore this film – it will always be my favourite by far. In fact, I see myself watching it later just to enjoy my childhood once more.
CastlesandTurrets 