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VHS : Beauty And The Beast [Disney 1992]Rating: - My most loved film of all timeIf theres ever been a film to include such beautiful artwork, enchanting script and music, then Beauty and the Beast fills that catergory. Its been the only film i've ever cried to, simply because of the breathtaking impact it has on you. Its not just the storyline thats compelling, its the way its put on film, and put across. And of course, it proves that loving someone for who they are is far more important than their appearance.. Not to be missed. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest productions of our time.. Rating: - best Beast of them allI've been ever so slightly obsessed by this fairytale since seeing the 1930s version by Cocteau (from which Disney borrows quite a bit, including the animated suits of armour). However, this version has the genuine element of gothic that sends a little shiver down the spine and takes the edge off Disney cuteness. It begins with a series of stained-glass windows, telling the tale of how a young prince turns away a poor old woman who begs for shelter from a storm, offering a single rose in exchange. She turns into a powerful enchantress, and tells him he will become a hideous Beast unless he can find a maiden to love him before the last petal of the rose falls... Nine years pass, and Belle, the bookish daughter of an inventor comes to live nearby. She is being courted by the appalling Gaston, a man whose coarse, conceited advances she doesn't deserve (as she puts it wittily, letting him down into a pig's puddle). Gaston is a great comic character, swooned over by the local girls but (as in the Cocteau) he's the true Beast. Belle's father gets lost, and taking shelter in the Beast's castle gets imprisoned by him. This scene is truly frightening for infants, as is the following scene in which Belle, finding his horse Philippe (by far the most sensible and romantic male in the story), sets out through wolf-infested forests to find him. The Beast agrees to exchange her father for Belle...but only after his wise butler Lumiere hints that she might be "the girl" to break the spell. One of the great joys of this inspired cartoon is the part played by the servants, now tranformed into furniture. Lumiere, the wise and sentimental candlestick, and Mrs Potts (sung by the adorable Angela Lansbury) persuade the good side of the Beast to show itself; but his valet, the conceited clock, is vain and cowardly. The original fairytale only required Belle to reaise she has fallen in love with the Beast, but Disney's scriptwriters improve on this by making the real struggle about the Beast's mastery of his temper and bad manners. ALl the songs are hilarious, with my family favourite being Gaston's song of self-praise, but underneath that is a seriously intelligent script. Belle is one of the most inspiring heroines (alongside Mulan) that a small girl can have, the opposite of inspid Disney versions of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. However, the Beast is equally important for small boys to internalise. Of course, most adults will find the beastly Beast rather sexy, and the handsome Prince the tiniest bit of a let-down.... This funny, exciting, enchanting and joyous cartoon is far too expensive in its double disc version (though interesting for film buffs.)However, if there's one Disney you should buy, it's this. Rating: - Best Film Of All TimeI've loved this film ever since I was tiny and I got the collector's edition for my thirteenth birthday. That may seem a little old to be getting a Disney film, but it is just so, so good and this edition is brilliant. The games provided aren't particularly good, but the extra versions of the film are fantastic and the new song (When We're Human Again) is really excellent. I would recommend this film to anyone, young and old. A true classic. Rating:  - It all somehow works...One of the best Disney's, and a part of the recent 90's/00's revival for Disney after a few years of mediocrity. It takes you back to the old style for Disney, good animation, strong characters (the only thing that makes it modern is the fact that Belle is a strong female character unlike in many older Disney's). The film perhaps misses a really strong, really evil villain (Gaston is an amusing character, but he'd be better as a sidekick), but still as much of the film is really about Belle and the Beast's relationship changing maybe there wouldn't have been enough time for a really strong villain to get involved. One of the most romantic Disney's you'll see, and the songs aren't Disney's best - I have to say that the component parts aren't as good in some other Disney's, but it's just one of those films where the sum is greater than its parts and everything just seems to work. To sum up, one of Disney's best, and that's saying quite something! Rating: - Buy this DVD set, you WON'T regret it!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! |
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