Beauty and the Beast: Review By Bawnian©-Dexeus

Beauty and the Beast is a 1991 animated film.

Directed by: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Starring: Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson.

Classic Disney. From 1938 to early 2000's, various animated tales have been produced into feature films and have remained classics. Anything between early 2000 to 2010 currently have been ok, where only one brought back what Disney is truly about. In 1991, a rendition by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's traditional fairy tale was brought to life in 2-D animation. Though many attempts came before, this version shows us love in all its beautiful and beastly natures.

It was five months after I was born that this amazing fairy tale was released in theaters. Four years later, my mom bought the VHS and we had a family movie night. Old school Coca Cola and Sprite with Act butter popcorn and a giant cube shaped Panasonic surround sound station. My dad gave me the honor of pressing PLAY.

Out story takes place in small village in France, I'm guessing. I mean, how many times can you say Bonjour and not think you are watching a French setting? Belle, a classic bookworm who only imagines what it would feel like to be swept off her feet by prince charming, meats Beast, a once upon a time human turned monster who needs to seek love in order to bring balance to his malicious ways. Many critics will agree that, while animated, for a movie targeted to its toddler viewers and their parents, it contains various artistic features that classify it as an achievement and the reason why it was nominated for best picture back in 1991.

The opening for this film is truly spectacular. I had the chance to see this move a few days after it was rereleased in theaters. Of course, like Lion King before it, I didn't buy into the whole 3D. Moving on, I simply went for the cinematic experience. Having not seen it in '91, it brought joy to the kid in me. Like I was saying, the opening blends a beautiful combination of colors, animation, and the 3D rendered settings in the back as the camera closes in on the infamous castle where our story soon shall bear fruit. The detail is breathtaking.

The film also has its small changes from the ORIGNAL source material. But all adaptations have its small and major changes. However, it's a story for another time. This is a review, not a research paper. Disney is no stranger to musicals. That being said, the majority of their films are carried by original scores and songs performed by their characters that have gained recognition and awards for their magnificent attempts. The characters, from Lumiere to Cogsworth and Gaston to Mrs. Pots, are memorable and loveable. The execution of "Be Our Guest" had me singing along in the auditorium (Good thing it wasn't that full). We later move on to the cherry on top, one of Disney's most beautiful moments, Belle and Beast dancing. It not only shows two different worlds learning to love, but it shows the hard work put into the art, style, color and animation. The song along with it complements the scenes spectacular visuals.

Belle will always be Disney's best princess, and while I can't say the same thing about Beast, he is their most ferocious. But even ferocity has a heart. Character development plays a key role as we journey the conflicts beast has abandoning his foolish malevolent ways to forge a heart of gold from within his cold shell. We learn a lesson about beauty. True beauty is found within a person you truly care about. To look past their faults, you find certain perfection. The stereotype of the ideal attractive man (Gaston) is broken, for when you let a female decide, would she chose the pure bred or the underdog?

Don't take it from, watch it yourself if you haven't and are new to it. You will not regret it. This is Disney's second best film in my eyes, but it is their greatest love story ever told. Twenty years, and still holding strong for another twenty.

Written by: Bawnian©-Dexeus.