Rating: 
Summary: Almost as good a DVD as Snow White.
Review: While this DVD falls short of the amazement that is last year's DVD release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, my review will not concentrate on that. Also, this has something over Snow White: there are three presentations of the film. I will go over these and some of my favorite features in this review.First, the three versions: Special Edition, Original Theatrical Release, and Work In Progress Edition. The first version is the Special Edition, which was restored and remastered and re-shot with enhanced animation for IMAX and large-screen theaters with the "Human Again" sequence added in as well. The second version is the original theatrical version. You know, the same film we've seen for the last 11 years. Perfect for those who think the Special Edition sucks. The third, and possibly, my favorite version is the Work In Progress Edition. This was shown in October 1991 @ the New York Film Festival because they had requested a showing, yet the film was unfinished. There's a lot of scenes that are mostly or ALL in pencil animation, some parts are put together with storyboards, some with a mix of fully inked and painted animation, storyboard sketches, and/or rough/cleaned up pencil animation. It's really cool, you get to see some of the work involved in the creative process of the film. My only fault is that they added the finished score to it and replaced the colored scenes in the actual film with ones from the restored version. The score was not finished at the time, as is told in the "A High-Profile Review" featurette on Disc 2. I would have really liked to see it the way it was shown, dull colors, incomplete score, and all. But it's still satisfying. Some of my favorite features on Disc 2 include the virtual galleries, which I was glad to see as those were my favorite features from the Snow White DVD. I also enjoyed all the trailers and TV spots and promotional galleries as well. Mrs. Potts Personality Test is a winner for all ages. *I got Lumiere.* I also enjoyed seeing the camera tests, Early Presentation Reel, the alternate version of Be Our Guest sung to Maurice instead of Belle, (And let's thank God they decided to go with Belle.) and the demo of Human Again set to storyboard sketches. All in all, it may fall just a bit short of Snow White's amazement, but BATB still has a uniqueness of its own. It's still my favorite Disney movie of all time, and I love it now more than when I first saw it 10 years ago, as I now have a finer appreciation of the animated picture, everything that goes into it, the styles each film has, and the deeper meaning of the story. This DVD is a MUST have for any DVD collection, if only for the 3 versions of the film. I suggest you view all 3. Even if you HAVE the 1992 video release with the original theatrical version, I still suggest you see it in its newly restored glory, the Special Edition, also restored with the Human Again sequence, and the Work In Progress version for serious film buffs who like to see what kind of work goes into making a film.
Rating:
Summary: Singing the praises of B&B
Review: You got me at the first song. Along with Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast stands as the pinnacle of Disney animation in the later part of the 20th century. Certainly Disney has produced many great and cherished films, but Beauty And The Beast managed to jump the animation ghetto and win respect from audiences and critics alike. Is it the best? It doesn't really matter what matters is that B&B can hold its own (and then some) with other Disney and other animation masterpieces. The songs are rich, vibrant and as alive as the characters. In fact, they come alive in song much as the characters did during the golden age of the Hollywood musical. The animation is flawless and the story well constructed and without the artiface of other Disney films. As much as I like The Lion King (and I do like it alot!), B&B isn't as calculated as that film nor as topical as Aladdin (which is both a strong and weak point for that classic film--one of my Disney favs). I was never much of a fan of early Disney (although I recognize the value of those films) as I was raised on Warner Brother cartoons. Beauty And The Beast manages to meld the slapstick style of the Warner cartoons (much like Aladdin) with the storytelling wizardry of Disney. The casting is perfect. I'm not much of a Robby Benson fan (I've always found him to be an annoying performer in films--too aware of himself and his "talent" to ever be lost in a role). In B&B Benson shines managing to lose himself in the role of the dark and brooding Beast. The female lead is just as captivating and powerful (I can't recall her name). The DVD comes packed with extras some essential and some dispensable. The three different versions of B&B included aren't essential expect for collectors but it is fun to compare and contrast them. The added song and sequence isn't essential to the action (it's really more of a marketing ploy although it does add a freshness for those who've seen the film upteen times). Ashman's lyrics and Menken's music are witty and literate as well as fun to sing so this "new" song is a welcome addition. A powerful mixture of pathos, drama, comedy and song Beauty And The Beast marked a new highwater mark for the Mouse Factory. It wasn't just churned out like many of the later animation features were at Disney.
Rating:
Summary: Re experience this fine motion picture
Review: In case you forgot, this was the only animated film ever nominated for best picture...not best animated picture, best PICTURE. There are no better Disney films than this one and the DVD fulfills it's promise of fun and extras. You shouldn't own a DVD player and not own this disc.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! A must have
Review: I Just got The Beauty and The beast special addition dvd. All I can say Is WOW! This is what Walt would have Done! In This special addition Dvd The Movie is so brillaint Its almost Three D You can actualy see all of Bells and Lets Not forget The beast Facial expressions. so Vivid you Actualy Want to touch Them Yet I want to say so real This is truely a Disney master Peace Adding The song Human again Was Just The icing On The cake! for all of Those who Loved The original Movie Yes Its In The dvd set Allong with Other Things That will Keep you And your Kids Yes Its a Thing you can actualy share With Them! All I can say Is Bravo Disney Y6ou Did It again!
Rating:
Summary: Splendid DVD of a marvelous film.
Review: Beauty and the Beast is one of the best animated films of all time. It's a great joy to see the three different versions of the film on one DVD. The Special Edition, with it's restored musical number is wonderful, as is the director's commentary. Who knew that Regis Philbin had auditioned for the Beast??? The Theatrical Release and NY Film Festival versions are both wonderful in their own right. The Film Festival version is interesting because of the look of the unfinished animation mixed in with the finished animation. Very, very interesting. The DVD of extras has some very interesting looks at the art of putting together an animated film and all the work that it takes. I was also surprised to learn that the Disney folks were rushed in finishing the film, because they only worked on it for two years, as opposed to the 3-4 that they usually take now for an animated film.
Anyway, get this disc as soon as possible. It's irresistable look, sound and extras make it a must have for any library of DVD's.
Rating:
Summary: Enchantingly the Best of Disney DVD!!
Review: I had just recieved this DVD today. And I watched it right then and there. It first of all comes in a beautiful case. And I couldn't believe how much stuff is on this DVD. It's already on the top list of my favorite DVD's and something I know I'll watch over and over again. The two disk DVD animation is incrediable it's basically in 3D..... There's too much even to mention. I have to sit down and still yet go through all of it. This does include the new scene's from the musical new tune that was originally cut out "Human Again" which fits in very nicely to the story. And they also have the making of the special addition. My other favorite parts are the games included in this DVD. Kids will love playing them on the DVD player and it's very easy as well. My favorite part of course is Celine Dion hosting the music video "Beauty and the Beast" in which she sang the song with the charming and talented Peabo Bryson. You just won't believe how much stuff is on this spectacular DVD. I also remember seeing this for the first time at the movie theater and it was the first time I think that I loved animation truly, and how real it looks. And they did a remarkable job putting it on DVD because it looks just that way as it did in the theaters. Beauty and the Beast will always be my favorite Disney movie. And now it'll be my favorite DVD! The entire family will love it there's something in it for everyone to enjoy. It's even much better then the Snow White DVD that came out not so long ago. So I highly suggest everyone get it it's worth the buy totally! I wish all Disney DVD's would be this spectacular!
Rating: 
Summary: Its great!..but
Review: I'll keep this short. This is a FANTASTIC DVD! The only problem is if you watch your old VHS and the new "mastered" DVD you'll see that they over simplified the colors on the new DVD. Where there once was shadow and texture and dark colors. It is now replaced with overly bright, no shadows, and flatness. Its kinda strange that something so old was better looking old. You'll see what I'm talking about when you see old clips that are on the DVD (see the Celine video on the DVD or the clips on some of the gmaes). Its kinda sad to see them make this movie look like some of those cheap straight to video movies Disney makes. Oh well, its a nice package of extras but hoooold on to the old VHS's until they fix this.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best...
Review: I've been waiting for Beauty and the Beast on DVD ever since I bought a player back in 1997. I am happy to say I am not disappointed. Disney has wisely included three versions of the movie. The original theatrical release, the special edition including the new musical number "Human Again", and the work-in-progress which was shown in New York in October 1991. The movie looks and sounds great on DVD. The extras are nothing to write home about. Most of it is promotional stuff for other Disney products. However, the tribute to the late Howard Ashman is touching and appropriate considering he was the brains behind this masterpiece. Disney animated features since Beauty and the Beast have ranged from fair "Tarzan" and "Aladdin" to downright lousy "Pocahantas" and "Atlantis". Howard Ashman is definetely a missed person in the Disney idea department as they have never measured up to this film since. As a Law and Order fan, it's also a hoot to see Lt Lenny Bricoe (Jerry Orbach) singing into a microphone. Since this is in limited release I will probably buy another copy to have around in case something happens to my original. So why all the praise and only four stars? I don't like the idea that this and all other Disney DVD's start with those rancid trailers. Sure I can hit the menu button but it's still a pain.
Rating:
Summary: As Good as It Gets
Review: This is without question the finest animated movie ever and one of the great movies, period. Its hard not to get totally absorbed in this classic version of 'beauty and the beast', where the music is instantly memorable, the voices perfect and the animation beautiful. I especially like the voice of Paige O'Hara, who gives Belle life in a way that few actresses have achieved. There is such emotion in her voice, poignantly so.
The DVD edition is packed with wonderful extras, including an audio commentary that is a lot of fun, three versions of the film(although they are pretty much the same, but interesting nonetheless), games, galleries, documentaries and lots more. It is truly a masterpiece and holds a special spot on my personal list of favorites. Timeless and enchanted, it is as wondrous today as the first day I saw it nearly eleven years ago. Dont rent it, BUY IT.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Animation at its best
Review: In a time when CGI movies are taking over the big screens, Disney has brought back the magic of the classic animated movie. Many hailed Beauty and the Beast as the revival of the Disney animation studio when it debuted in theatres some years ago. Similar as it did for the Disney franchise in the theatres, this Special Edition is doing the same for Disney DVD collection. This long awaited release couldn't have come at a better time. The DVD is packed with features that not only benefit the movie, but Disney in general as well. From the moment the DVD is ran on your DVD player, viewers are immediately brought back to their childhood days. The familiar Magic Kingdom wipes down in a fashion we have long become accustomed to. A commercial for Disney World was even snuck into Disc 2. While I am usually not a fan of commercials on DVDs, I found that this one in particular was appropriately included to remind us that Disney World is not just another tourist attraction, but a part of our generation. But what makes this DVD so great? Is it the option of watching 3 different versions of the movie? Is it the bountiful option of games? It is actually a culmination of these. But the one thing that will mark this DVD as the milestone DVD of Disney movies to come is that it illustrates Disney in the past, present, and future on both discs. On disc 1, viewers can watch the transformation of not only the Beast, but of the movie as well. Viewers can watch the movie in a pre-production format, the original theatrical release, and the featured Special Edition. On Disc 2, Disney goes down their familiar road of including previews for upcoming movies in addition to a wide selection of features for Beauty and the Beast. What will longed be remembered and viewed by owners of this DVD is the look back at past Disney classics such as Cinderella, the Lion King, and Pocahontas. The feature hosted by Celine Dion takes an in-depth look at the roots of Disney classics. This is a welcome treat by Disney to its customers that have been longing to own a look at history. With the Lion King hitting IMAX theatres this winter, it is interesting to see where Disney will go with their DVD lineup. Indeed, this Special Edition will long be seen as a milestone in the Disney Home DVD lineup. It brings back the magic of classic animation unmatched by its CGI counterparts. A tale as old as time, so goes the magic of Disney and its classic animation movies.
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