Originally released in 1991, this was the first
animated feature ever nominated for a Best Picture
Oscar. But even more important than that -- we loved
it. Ten years later, I loved it all over again.
Rich in blues and violet, this fairy tale sings to
all members of the audience. Little kids will be
enchanted; older folks will enjoy the tongue and
cheek lyrics (and they'll also be enchanted).
Though only paint, these characters have a wide
range of expression and emotion. The Beast toggles
between brooding brute and tenderhearted love-struck
fool. He's a rich character that will endear you,
perhaps even deeper than the self-sacrificing, yet
strong-willed Belle. Of course, your family will just
love the talking furniture:
Belle, "But that's impossible."
Wardrobe, "I know ... but, here we are."
And then there's Gaston ... the cleft-chinned
anti-hero, the perfect butt of the joke, the manly
man with a Dudley Do-Rite voice. "No one takes cheap
shots like Gaston, persecutes old crackpots like
Gaston. What a guy - Gaston!"
Entirely captivating from beginning to end, save
for "Be our guest" musical montage that settles
rather bland for me. The new song "Human Again,"
originally recorded, but left out of the first
release, has been animated and inserted here.
And then of course, that magical ballroom dance
scene! I'm not ashamed to admit that it choked me up
just a bit.
As for the adaptation to bigger screen, "Beauty
and the Beast" plays just fine. I'd anticipated
excess graininess or insanely uncomfortable close ups
or action shots slightly unbearable for such a
humongous image. Yet, none of these problems existed,
nor did the duration overwhelm. Just a bigger Beauty
and a larger Beast.
Click for INTERVIEW
with "B&B" director Kirk Wise.
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