Apologies for my absense. Have had uni exams & now that's over, I just have two jobs, coursework, un...
Apologies for my absense. Have had uni exams & now that's over, I just have two jobs, coursework, uni, a role in The Vagina Monologues and the small matter of a social life to sort before I return... Sorry!
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Who doesn’t know the basic story of Beauty and the Beast? In case you’re a hermit new to this glorious thing we call life, here’s the basic idea. A man who doesn’t understand the real value of life and love is cursed to live as a beast until a woman’s true love releases him. Just ripe for a Disney adaptation, wouldn’t you say? Well, you’d be right. In 1991, Beauty and the Beast was released to both critical acclaim and commercial success. It also stormed the history books by being the first animated film to win an Oscar (it actually won two) and was even nominated for Best Picture. There’s the background, now to the nitty gritty.
PLOT:
As I previously mentioned, everybody knows the basic idea behind the story of Beauty and the Beast. This is of course the Disney version so expect the usual family-friendly approach.
Belle is the most beautiful girl in her village (hence the name, Belle is French for beautiful). She is constantly pursued by Gaston, the town “hero” who wants to marry her because she’ll be the ultimate prize. Although she is beautiful, she’s also regarded as somewhat odd by the other villagers as she always has her nose in a book, plus her father (Maurice) is seen as a crackpot inventor. It is one of his inventions that takes him out of town to show it at a fair but he gets lost, causing him to end up at an enchanted castle.
Here resides the Beast, a once handsome but spoilt Prince who was cursed by an Enchantress when she saw how superficial he was This curse extends to his entire household, meaning that his staff have become objects usually linked to their names amusingly. For example, Lumieré has become a candlestick, Cogsworth a clock and Mrs Potts a tea pot. This curse can only be lifted if the Beast learns to love and a woman can see beyond his horrible visage and love him in return. This must happen before the last petal of the enchanted rose falls (What is it with Disney and enchantments?) If the Beast can not change before this happens, everyone will stay in their cursed form.
Soon Belle arrives at the castle looking for her father who is being held prisoner by the Beast and everyone sees the perfect opportunity to break the curse. However, things aren’t that easy even in Disney and Belle is terrified of the Beast. Despite this, she persuades him to free Maurice -who has become ill - and keep her instead. Over time, the servants encourage the growth of a friendship between the pair. He learns to be more civilised and Belle learns that the Beast is just as vulnerable as any “normal” person, meaning that their friendship blossoms and starts to evolve into love. Meanwhile though, Maurice has tried to convince the villagers that Belle is being held by a beast. Gaston starts plotting to get Maurice thrown into an insane asylum, leaving Belle with no option but to marry him in order to get her father freed. When Maurice attempts the harsh Winter weather alone to rescue his beloved daughter, he becomes dangerously ill. The Beast sees how much Belle needs to help her father and, realising that he loves her, frees Belle to make her happy. In so doing however, he gives up his only chance of love and the ability to break the curse. Once she’s got her father home safe, Belle is visited by Gaston and the asylum owner. In an effort to prove her father isn’t crazy, Belle reveals the Beast does actually exist but that he is a kind and gentle soul. Gaston, however, persuades the villagers that the Beast is a serious threat, planning on killing them all in their sleep. As a result, the villagers head to the castle to kill the Beast while Belle and her father are locked away in their cellar, unable to warn the Beast of the impending danger.
Will the villagers kill the Beast? Will horrible Gaston get his comeuppance? Will the Beast and his friends ever be human again? Will Belle be able to reveal her love in time, or at all? Well, it’s a Disney film so what do you think?
THE CAST (VOICES):
BELLE: Paige O’Hara BEAST: Robby Benson GASTON: Richard White LUMIERE: Jerry Orbach COGSWORTH: David Ogden Sties MRS POTTS: Angela Lansbury CHIP: Bradley Michael Pierce MAURICE: Rex Everhart
THE DVD:
This was Disney’s first attempt at a Special Edition, soon followed by The Lion King and Aladdin coming in October (I can’t wait!!) And this really is a packed disc, well worth the above average price of DVDs.
DISC ONE:
This contains the original theatrical version of the film, a work-in-process version and a special edition which contains an extra song (“Human Again” - strikingly similar to “Be Our Guest”). There is also an Audio Commentary on the Special Edition and sing-a-long track (yes, I did do this…). The first part of the “Break The Spell” game is on this disc and continues on the second disc.
DISC TWO:
From the main menu, you have the choice of four stained glass windows featuring the enchanted rose, Chip, Mrs Potts and Cogsworth & Lumieré. Each contains the following:
Chip: - Disney’s Animation Magic - Chip’s Musical Challenge (game) - Beauty and the Beast Music Video
Rose: - The West Wing (the second part of the “Break The Spell” game)
Mrs Potts: - The Making of Beauty and the Beast - Mrs Pott’s Personality Profile Game (I’m Belle apparently!) - Beauty and the Beast Music Video (Celine Dion version) - The Story Behind The Story (Including Cinderella, Lion King, Pocahontas, Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan and Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Cogsworth and Lumieré: - Origins of Beauty and the Beast - Development (Including a fascinating presentation reel) - Story (Including an alternate version of “Be Our Guest”) - Music - The Characters - Production Design - Animation - Tricks of The Trade - The Broadway Musical - Release and Reaction (Including trailers, publicity gallery and awards)
SUMMARY:
Overall, this is a wonderfully put together DVD full of interesting and detailed extras. Some parts (ie, the Story Behind The Story featurette) just feel like plugs for other Disney projects, like the Beauty and the Beast musical. The film itself has been transferred on to the DVD very well, the picture quality being especially noteworthy. A lot of extra material is especially aimed at the children but there is plenty for the adults too. As a whole, this is a magnificent buy and Disney have certainly put a lot of time and effort into this Special Edition DVD which shows. I would recommend this to both young and old alike. A great buy!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1999 - Family - Director: Rob Minkoff - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Geena Davis, Michael J. Fox, Nathan Lane, Chazz Palminteri
Sep 7th, 2004
exceptional by (7%):
very helpful by (86%):
helpful by (7%):
