To my readership, I should state that I am unfit to write this review. This is not because of a lack of craftsmanship in my writing or a lack of journalistic integrity. The reason why I would consider myself unfit to write a review of the 3D re-release of Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise’s Beauty and The Beast is because I consider this film to be the definitive Disney classic. I was so spellbound by seeing the film on the big screen for the first time; I cannot even pretend that I noticed the extra dimension.
Beauty and the Beast is the story about a young girl named Belle (Paige O’Hara). Frustrated by the old-fashioned traditions and conventions of the town, Belle dreams of grander adventures. Things change when Belle’s father is taken hostage by the Beast (Robby Benson) in his enchanted castle. A once attractive man, the Beast had a curse placed upon him because of his vanity, turning him into a monster. To have the curse lifted, the Beast must find love before time runs out. Is it possible for a gentle spirit like Belle to find something to love about this hideous Beast? If you do not know the answer to this question twenty years after the film’s initial release, please get a ticket now.
I know that I have probably lost at least fifteen percent of my hipster cred with the opening paragraph for this review. So I probably should begin by stating the big dilemma that I have in recommending Beauty and the Beast 3D, I honestly do not see any artistic purpose in this conversion. This is not the fault of the film in anyway; it was simply working with the technology available in 1991. We have seen countless examples of 3D conversions looking flat, that there really is no reason to expect Beauty in the Beast to be any different. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see how the sense of scope in the Beauty and the Beast number was enhanced. The way that the camera gracefully moves across the ballroom dance is a sight that almost makes the surcharge worth it.
To be honest, I do not care about the 3D in the slightest; there are few movies out there that balance exhilarating adventure, enchanting music, and a sweeping romance as well as Beauty and the Beast. One thing that I especially appreciated is that fans are paying to see the original version of the film. I always disliked the rereleases of the past. They felt as though the studio assumed that the film’s appeal was watching supporting characters do silly things. As a result, they added more of those scenes and they let the pace of the film suffer. I love the chemistry between Lumiere and Cogsworth and the sweetness of Mrs. Potts. However, the original version knew that Belle and the Beast should be the main focal point of the story. I can sleep easier at night knowing someone else noticed this.
However, the most exciting quality about this re-release is that a new decade of children can be introduced to the magic of Beauty and the Beast. I have always believed that this is a film that is very underrated in terms of its positive messages about relationships. Looking back on the film, even I did not give it the credit it deserves for shaping my own life view. Not only do I respect the film for emphasizing Belle’s compassion and intelligence as much as her physical appearance, but for the Beast’s development as well. It is rare to see a mainstream male character; much less a Disney character have to change in anyway to get the girl. As the Beast has to rely on becoming mature and letting his partner be her own person, he is a figure that is seriously needed in the Twilight era. I know that the film helped to teach me these lessons and many more that helped to make me a better person. (Also, advice for my male readers, Beauty and the Beast makes for a fantastic first date.)
Even with my semi-unhealthy obsession with Beauty and the Beast, I can be fair in admitting that the 3D will not contribute much to the experience. If you have the DVD or Blu-ray, I understand why you would not want to make the investment. For those who want to introduce a new generation to Beauty and the Beast, seeing these beloved characters and the timeless love story in the theatre is certainly worth the three-dollar surcharge.
Author Biography
John Debono’s status as a cinephile began through the combination of Batman and Star Wars movies and Gene Kelly musicals that his Nanna pushed on him at a young age. He is currently a 3rd year Cinema Studies and Political Studies student at the University of Toronto.
