Rating: 
Summary: Timeless classic for the modern era
Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991): To save her father from a fate worse than death, an unfulfilled country girl (voiced by Broadway star Paige O'Hara) agrees to be imprisoned inside an enchanted castle where the furniture is made up of living, breathing characters and the master of the house (Robby Benson) has been condemned by a witch to live in the form of a monstrous Beast. Only love can lift the curse...Sheer cinematic joy! Produced in the wake of Disney's smash-hit THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989) and helmed by debut animation directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST combines animated spectacle with vivid characterizations and exuberant musical numbers in a confection which ranks alongside the very finest classics of Disney's 'golden age'. Returning to the European folk tales which had inspired many of their earlier animated features (SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, PINOCCHIO, etc.), scenarist Linda Woolverton leavens the essential romantic core of the film with exciting set-pieces and well-judged comic relief, and there are several stand-out sequences, designed and executed with breathtaking flair: A terrifying battle between the Beast and a pack of wolves, the spectacular and life-affirming 'Be Our Guest' number (voiced with remarkable dexterity by Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury), and the climactic assault on the castle, all of which are guaranteed to impress audiences young and old. Sadly, the film is dedicated to the memory of co-songwriter Howard Ashman, who passed away shortly before the movie opened in 1991. There are small niggles: This 2-disc special edition is characterized, as ever, by Disney's relentless self-promotion. Every opportunity is taken to remind us that 'Beauty' was the first - and, to date, only - animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar (it lost to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). While the film deserves plaudits for its achievements in the field of animation, one wishes that Disney wasn't so eager to congratulate itself. Aren't WE supposed to tell THEM how good their movies are? Anyway, the disc itself is a work of art in its own right, and it does the film proud. There are three versions to choose from: The original theatrical print (84m 14s), a work-in-progress edition (also 84m 14s) which premiered at the New York Film Festival in 1991 with still-images taking the place of unfinished footage, and the 2001 'special edition' (91m 3s) produced exclusively for Imax theaters. This BIG SCREEN version includes extra footage (a showstopping musical number which suffers a little in comparison with the earlier 'Be Our Guest' sequence) which the filmmakers regret eliminating from the original theatrical print. Each version is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced) and they're all bursting with vivid colors and excellent detail. Sound format is Dolby 5.1 (remastered from the original 4.0 stereo version), and is appropriately thunderous. Extensive documentaries and interactive features will keep both children and adults entertained for several hours. English captions and subtitles are included, with a sing-along option for the various musical numbers. NB. The movie was subsequently adapted - to great acclaim - for the Broadway stage, only to be sullied by an unnecessary TV series and a number of video-only sequels. Stick with the original.
Rating:
Summary: TALE AS OLD AS TIME NEWLY INCARNATED FOR DVD
Review: In 1991 Disney's "Beauty & The Beast" became the only film in the history of the Academy Awards to be nominated in the Best Picture catagory. And although it didn't win (Silence of the Lambs did), the ripple effect that this landmark had on the Disney legacy was felt for nearly a decade afterward. The story is based on the classic fairytale but given the "Disney touch" with talking furniture and magical moments that really owe more to a Broadway show than the Brothers Grimm.
Alan Menken and Howard Ashman were the creative team that penned the Oscar winning score. But when the film originally premiered one of their best songs "Human Again" was left on the cutting room floor, an artistic liberty that has been rectified with this DVD release.
You get not one, not two, but three distinct versions of this film on DVD. All are presented in anamorphic widescreen. The special edition includes the restoration of the Ashman/Menken song previously mentioned as well as an all new, newly enhanced IMAX hi-def print that really makes the film sparkle beyond anything seen in theaters. The original theatrical cut is also included as well as "Beauty & The Beast: Work In Progress" a wonderful version of the film, shown at a New York critic's preview that includes pencil tests of the film's art work, released before a final version of the finished film was completed. Disc two of this enchanted Platinum Edition is chocked full of extra features that are too many to be believed. Some seem rather silly - the dance mix of Beauty & The Beast music video falls into this catagory.
About the transfer: The opening scene with its stained glass windows is heavy on edge enhancement and pixelization. However, once these few moments are over, so are both of these distractions. Overall, the visual quality of either the theatrical cut or special edition is outstanding. The 5.1 mix is beautifully presented. On disc two, the menus and some of the documentary footage also suffer from aliasing and shimmering details but nothing that one can't overlook for the sake of getting through the rough spots. BOTTOM LINE: This tale may be old as time, but it shines like a new penny in this wonderful remastered offering from Disney Inc. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: DVD Perfection: Beauty And The Beast Is Back
Review: On DVD, the Platinum Special Edition of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is a refreshing and aesthetic experience. The DVD comes loaded with special features- theatrical trailers, three versions of the film, soundtrack, Broadway musical and interactive games. Beauty and the Beast was released in 1991. It was Disney's most enduring classic, and one of the first to use computer generated effects which would pave the way for later films. The romantic, quasi Gothic tale revolves around a haughty prince, transformed into a hideous Beast, who must love a woman and earn her love in return. "But who could ever learn to love a beast ?." That would be Belle, the book-smart, beautiful, courageous and vibrant young heroine and one of the few Disney heroines who is not vain, vapid and helpless. Belle's father becomes imprisoned in the Beast's dungeon and Belle offers to take his place. During her stay in the Beast's castle, she becomes acquianted with the enchanted host of objects and furniture- Lumiere, the candelabra who speaks French like Maurice Chevalier, Cogsworth the uptight British clock, Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury) as the warm, motherly teapot an Chip the rambunctious tea cup. Belle saves the Beast with her love- and he is transformed into a handsome, human prince. The villain in the film is Gaston, a ruggedly handsome, but self-centered and vainglorious hunter. Gaston is determined to make Belle his trophy wife, but his machinations (including locking up her inventor father, Maurice, in an insane asylum). The special effects are computer enhanced- particularily striking is the ballroom scene. Beauty and the Beast is full of memorable and catchy songs by Alan Menken and Tim Rice- "Beauty and the Beast", "Be Our Guest" "Belle", "Gaston" "Something There" "Kill the Beast" and the never before heard song "Human again". There is no wonder why the movie was made into a popular and successful Broadway musical.
Rating:
Summary: Tale as old as time...
Review: Beauty and the Beast is the best Disney movie of all time!!! You'd be crazy to pass up the Platinum Edition DVD. The new song, "Human Again" blends into the original movie seamlessly. Definitely worth your money!
Rating:
Summary: Enchantment sounds your living room.
Review: Beauty and the Beast captured our hearts on VHS! Now on DVD the music comes alive in your own living room as if you right there with Belle and all her new found friends. My toddler loves how the music dances from speaker to speak with surround sound. They even have a new song added to this special addition, which is called, "Human Again." It's now apart of our collection of favorite Disney songs. Buy this DVD and share the magical moments that all Disney movies possess with your family and loved ones.
Rating:
Summary: Tale as Old As Time
Review: Of all of the Disney films created in the past quarter century, Beauty and the Beast would have to be my favorite. The story revolves around the romance between Belle, a beautiful bookworm who was thought of as odd in her provincial French village, and a self-centered Prince-turned-Beast who could only be lifted from his spell by learning to love another and earn her love in return. Along the way, there are dozens of wonderful characters including the Beast's lovable servants-turned household objects and Belle's brutish suitor Gaston who will do anything to make her his wife. The film's score and music and both beautiful and deserving of the Academy Awards they won. The film is truly a classic, so it's surprising that it can be improved for this Special Edition DVD. Three versions of the film including the fascinating Work in Progress edition and 10th anniversary edition with a wonderful new sequence added into the film. Along with the film, the DVD also includes behind the scenes documentaries, galleries of art used in the film, alternate versions of "Be Our Guest" and the Transformation scenes, a couple of wonderful music videos including a new version of the title song by pop group Jump5, and a number of games among other extras. This DVD is truly a must-own for Disney fans and a wonderful addition to any DVD collection.
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Summary: Still Amazing After All These Years...
Review: I saw this first when I was about six years old, and it still is one of the finest animated films (Disney or otherwise) ever created. And the remastered version makes it even better than ever before. No more flat cel shading--now shadows fall realistically upon the characters' skin and clothes, adding a new dimension to this masterpiece that the original lacked. And I must say that watching the Work-In-Progress version was actually quite fun. Young or old, everyone and anyone can get something out of this movie. Its message (and artistry!) knows no end, and will be forever appreciated. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: I absolutely Love This
Review: Once in a while, a movie comes along that captures everything moviemaking is about: enthralling stories, beautiful characters and a aura about it that makes throughly unforgettable. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of those movies. Based on the European folktale, the movie revolves around Belle, a beautiful but with a suttle eccentricity to her society of the day. A village where the same thing happens everyday. But when her father, a struggling inventor, goes missing on a trip to an invention festival, she goes looking for him, and finds him being held prisoner in an ominous castle. No humans inhabit the dark abode, but those that were once human. Objects like candlesticks and clocks are living, inhabited by the men and women that once lived in the castle. Long before Belle found their home, a wandering witch disguised as an old beggar women asked the master of the castle for shelter from the bitter winter, but he turned her away. The witch then turned the master into a terrifying beast, and every man, woman and child into everyday objects, until the Master learns to soften his heart and learn to love, and have that person he proclaims love to love him in return. If the Beast finds that person, the spell on the castle would be lifted. If not, all those in the caslte are doomed to and eternity as objects and the master is forever a Beast. Everyone in the castle hopes that Belle is the one to lift the spell. The movie not only delivers the best in the fundamentals of movies, but features stunning animation by being one of the first animated movies to utilize computers with traditional animation. The ballroom scenes are utterly breathtaking, as is the balconies and buttresses of castles exterior. And the vocal performances are flawless. Paige O'Hara is as subtle as her Belle, and Jerry Orbach is surprisingly witty as the fast-talking candlestick Lumiere. And for Disney villians, the obsessive Gaston is one of the more human, and more compelling. Not to mention the songs are a delight. You can't stop singing "Be our Guest" can you? Go ahead, sing the first verse while you watch one of the best movies (not just animated) ever
Rating:
Summary: Special Edition isn't better than the original
Review: It isn't worth buying the new special edition if you own the current "classic" version. There is a certain novelty to watching the new song put into the movie that you have grown to love, but it really isn't worth buying a movie you already have.
Rating:
Summary: Great buy!!
Review: I loved this movie from it went out. And now it is completed with a new musical, I love it twice as much!!! Also, it`s great that it comes in the original version and the platinum, and in spanish and french too. Great for any Disney fan!!!
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