Beauty & the Beast (A or 4/4 stars)
Walt Disney's 1991 instant classic, 'Beauty & the Beast' (directed by Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise), is not only one of the finest animated films ever made, but can be considered one of the great entertainments of all-time, period. Every single frame of this movie is imbued with movie magic. 'B&tB' was released in the midst of Disney's Renaissance period and, though we all have our personal favorites {The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, etc.}, this is the first and only one of those to be recognized with a Best Picture nomination. It made a ton of $$ and is beloved around the world.
The tale told in 'B&tB' dates back to the 18th c. version created by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, of which screenwriter Linda Woolverton based her script. Of course, Disney tinkered with the plot, made Belle a bit more modern, & added a gallery of speaking objects {the Beast's enchanted castle contains talking candelabras, clocks, pots, cups, wardrobes & feather dusters. Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) is the loveliest girl in her small provincial town in France. Unfortunately for those who are looking for a bride - including the dim-witted, egotistical Gaston (Richard White), Belle is also one of the village's oddest residents. She likes to keep to herself, helping her beloved inventor father, Maurice (Rex Everhart), and, in her spare time, reads books to her heart's content. Each time she ventures outdoors, she draws gossip, but, despite her oddness, Gaston is determined to woo & marry her.
Then, one fateful day, her father disappears into the woods. While searching for him, Belle comes upon a scary castle. Venturing in, she discovers a host of magical household objects that speak & ambulate. There's Lumiere (Jerry Orbach, doing his best Maurice Chevalier), a candelabra with exemplary manners; Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers), a clock with a high opinion of himself & his role in the castle; Mrs. Potts (wonderful Angela Lansbury), a matronly tea pot; & many others. Then there's ... the Beast (Robby Benson) ... the terrifying, lumbering creature who rules this domain and is the one holding Maurice captive. Once a handsome-but-arrogant prince, he {and his castle} has been cursed by an enchantress to remain a beast 'til he finds someone who loves him despite his appearance.
Now, he is filled with hope that Belle may be 'the one' to break the spell, but also fear that she might be repulsed by his visage. Nonetheless, he agrees to release her father if she accepts being his eternal guest. She does; despite being frightened of his temper & fierce facade. But in time, Belle discovers that the Beast is not as dreadful as initially seemed. 'Beauty & the Beast' is utterly delightful, creating a pair of memorable, 3-dimensional characters & giving us great reason to root for their friendship & romance. Belle is independent, strong-willed & clever. The Beast, despite his petrifying appearance, is not as bad as he 1st appears. Inside beats the heart of a real hero and, with Belle's life at risk, he displays his true nature with an act of self-sacrifice.
The power & allure of this movie is twofold: the stunningly-detailed animation, & the spectacular song-&-dance numbers. Belle's face displays a myriad of emotions & expressions: joy, wonder, anger, fear, care, concern, skepticism, contrition, sarcasm, sadness, & undying love. The centerpiece ballroom sequence - set to the incredible title song, sung lovingly by Angela Lansbury here and epically by Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson for mainstream radio - blends computer-generated backgrounds with the hand-drawn characters and, it is the best scene in the film -- again, movie magic, goose bumps & tears.
The production numbers, with Oscar-winning music by Alan Menken & lyrics by Howard Ashman {they also worked on The Little Mermaid}, contains all the aural AND visual energy, verve & ingenuity of something created by Busby Berkeley. The opening "Belle" is iconic; setting the stage for the ensuing story. "Gaston" is the villain's the tongue-in-cheek theme. "Be Our Guest" {replete with singing-&-dancing china & utensils} is the main showstopper. "Something There" is the playful budding romance tune. And of course: the aforementioned quintessential title ballad, "Beauty & the Beast".
As is the case with these Disney Renaissance movies, the vocal characterizations are flawless. Who knew that Jerry Orbach {of Law & Order, Dirty Dancing} could inflect a great French accent & sing so well!? Angela Lansbury's indelible vocal trillings are an enormous aid to the proceedings. Robby Benson's brawny, yet melodic voice is perfect for the Beast. And Paige O'Hara gives gorgeous lyricism & personality to Belle's voice. I love this film's powerful message of sticking to your beliefs, looking beyond the 'surface', & believing in the transforming power of love. With astounding animation, lilting music, brisk storytelling, & beautifully-realized characters, 'Beauty & the Beast' proves to be a near-perfect version of this classic faerie tale.
The tale told in 'B&tB' dates back to the 18th c. version created by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, of which screenwriter Linda Woolverton based her script. Of course, Disney tinkered with the plot, made Belle a bit more modern, & added a gallery of speaking objects {the Beast's enchanted castle contains talking candelabras, clocks, pots, cups, wardrobes & feather dusters. Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) is the loveliest girl in her small provincial town in France. Unfortunately for those who are looking for a bride - including the dim-witted, egotistical Gaston (Richard White), Belle is also one of the village's oddest residents. She likes to keep to herself, helping her beloved inventor father, Maurice (Rex Everhart), and, in her spare time, reads books to her heart's content. Each time she ventures outdoors, she draws gossip, but, despite her oddness, Gaston is determined to woo & marry her.
Then, one fateful day, her father disappears into the woods. While searching for him, Belle comes upon a scary castle. Venturing in, she discovers a host of magical household objects that speak & ambulate. There's Lumiere (Jerry Orbach, doing his best Maurice Chevalier), a candelabra with exemplary manners; Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers), a clock with a high opinion of himself & his role in the castle; Mrs. Potts (wonderful Angela Lansbury), a matronly tea pot; & many others. Then there's ... the Beast (Robby Benson) ... the terrifying, lumbering creature who rules this domain and is the one holding Maurice captive. Once a handsome-but-arrogant prince, he {and his castle} has been cursed by an enchantress to remain a beast 'til he finds someone who loves him despite his appearance.
Now, he is filled with hope that Belle may be 'the one' to break the spell, but also fear that she might be repulsed by his visage. Nonetheless, he agrees to release her father if she accepts being his eternal guest. She does; despite being frightened of his temper & fierce facade. But in time, Belle discovers that the Beast is not as dreadful as initially seemed. 'Beauty & the Beast' is utterly delightful, creating a pair of memorable, 3-dimensional characters & giving us great reason to root for their friendship & romance. Belle is independent, strong-willed & clever. The Beast, despite his petrifying appearance, is not as bad as he 1st appears. Inside beats the heart of a real hero and, with Belle's life at risk, he displays his true nature with an act of self-sacrifice.
The power & allure of this movie is twofold: the stunningly-detailed animation, & the spectacular song-&-dance numbers. Belle's face displays a myriad of emotions & expressions: joy, wonder, anger, fear, care, concern, skepticism, contrition, sarcasm, sadness, & undying love. The centerpiece ballroom sequence - set to the incredible title song, sung lovingly by Angela Lansbury here and epically by Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson for mainstream radio - blends computer-generated backgrounds with the hand-drawn characters and, it is the best scene in the film -- again, movie magic, goose bumps & tears.
The production numbers, with Oscar-winning music by Alan Menken & lyrics by Howard Ashman {they also worked on The Little Mermaid}, contains all the aural AND visual energy, verve & ingenuity of something created by Busby Berkeley. The opening "Belle" is iconic; setting the stage for the ensuing story. "Gaston" is the villain's the tongue-in-cheek theme. "Be Our Guest" {replete with singing-&-dancing china & utensils} is the main showstopper. "Something There" is the playful budding romance tune. And of course: the aforementioned quintessential title ballad, "Beauty & the Beast".
As is the case with these Disney Renaissance movies, the vocal characterizations are flawless. Who knew that Jerry Orbach {of Law & Order, Dirty Dancing} could inflect a great French accent & sing so well!? Angela Lansbury's indelible vocal trillings are an enormous aid to the proceedings. Robby Benson's brawny, yet melodic voice is perfect for the Beast. And Paige O'Hara gives gorgeous lyricism & personality to Belle's voice. I love this film's powerful message of sticking to your beliefs, looking beyond the 'surface', & believing in the transforming power of love. With astounding animation, lilting music, brisk storytelling, & beautifully-realized characters, 'Beauty & the Beast' proves to be a near-perfect version of this classic faerie tale.