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.
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
we need it here now
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I was so excited when I heard Beauty and the Beast 3D was coming to cinemas in NZ! It's one of my all time favourite Disney movies, so I knew it was going to be good no matter what. The 3D was an added bonus - it looked fantastic. LOVED it.
as above!!!!
Re: Theresa, Hoyts would have to partner with Reading to show it. Embassy doesn't have 3D capability. I love this movie, annoyed its not coming to Wellington (...yet?) but it's unlikely in the near future due to the fact that Hoyts on Manners probably had to shut due to loss of custom to Reading on Courtney Central, so a partnership is unlikely, but hey money always talks!
A peerless retelling of the classic love story.
Slipped around all my roadblocks and penetrated directly into my strongest childhood memories, in which animation looked more real than live-action features.
The movie that restored animation's, and in particular Disney's, fortunes, watching it again on the big screen only reminded me what an endearing and enduring classic Beauty is. And I still had a tear in my at the end.
With its strong characters and lively storytelling, animated or not, this deserves its place alongside the cinema greats.
There's enough wit and ingenuity in Roger Allers's story and Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's songs to give the CGI whizzkids a run for their money.
