Beauty and the Beast 3D

Walt Disney Pictures’ 1991 animated classic Beauty and the Beast returns to the big screen in 3D.

The story follows the bright and beautiful Belle (voice of Paige O’Hara) who’s taken prisoner by a mysterious beasty (Robby Benson) in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff – a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others – and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart of a prince.

On its initial release, Beauty was the first animated film to cross the $US 100 million mark and was the first animated film to receive a Best Picture nomination.

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Rating: 4 Flicks Review:

Note: This review was written for an previous limited release in 2010.

As with the re-release of Toy Story 1 and 2 earlier this year, this 3D version of Disney’s Oscar-nominated tale offers an opportunity to view a classic from a fresh perspective, as well as attracting a brand new generation of eyeballs. The film is, would you believe, nearly twenty years old.

Plenty has changed over those two decades, especially with the ambitious Pixar Studios on the scene. Beauty and the Beast, by comparison, feels simple and modest in scale. Content to be an old-fashioned fairytale, the film offers the usual staples: a large castle, a quaint village, a prince charming and a very happy ending. A lack of pop culture references has allowed it to age gracefully.

What endeared the film to audiences in 1991 is still evident. A handful of great songs (Broadway-worthy, as has been proven), simple storytelling and a troupe of memorable characters ensure good value for a family outing.

Is the 3D effect any good? This is the first time I’ve seen 2D animation converted, and whilst offering a rich visual experience, the process isn’t always successful. The colours are vibrant but the effect is mostly close to that of a pop-up book. Mrs Potts’ spout, in such a way, looks a bit odd.

But with any luck, we might get to see re-releases of some other hits from Disney’s '90s renaissance period soon. The Lion King wouldn’t go amiss. Just imagine that wildebeest stampede in three dimensions.

By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz

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