- MPAA RATING: PG
- RUNTIME: 84 minutes
Features Editor
Disney, the iconic creator of a vast multitude of animated classics has always insisted its fans believe in magic. No film encapsulates that sense of wonder like the melodic and tragic “Beauty and the Beast.”
Fans young and old packed theaters on opening night of the re-release, some hoping to relive the glory of their childhood splendor, some enticed by the magic for the first time.
As the audience gazed at the stained glass of the enchanted castle as it loomed above, transfixed from the woods below, “The Beauty and the Beast” was once again in theaters for a new generation of starry- eyed believers.
They were immersed in the romance, and they fell in love with the characters. They sang along with the songs; children new to the ballroom and talking tea set eagerly learned the words and lapped up the dream as never before.
With more depth and detail than previously achieved by the Disney classic, the Real-D updated version was given the similar treatment as the “The Lion King” had last fall. Although much darker than the feline fable, “The Beauty and the Beast’s” gorgeous, state-of-the-art 3D effects also drew viewers deep into the mysterious and shadowy environments of the tale, casting light across furniture and through the many rooms of the Beast’s regal lair.
While few pop-out effects were added to the movie, a wider variety of light intensities afforded by the dimming effect of Real-D created a greater sense of immersion into the scenes of the story. From the vast ballroom where Belle and Beast first fall in love, to the death-defying fight between the Beast and the wicked Gaston atop the castle, the updated detail is undoubtedly apparent in the backgrounds and breathes new, emotional life into the aging tale.
The heart-warming songs and classic themes engulf viewers from newly updated sound systems as they are transported to a magical place of love and glory and asked to “Be our guest.”
“The Beauty and The Beast 3D” marks a landmark in special effects and animation that even rivals its original release.
Great review Adrian!
I wanted to do a review on this movie, but you beat me to it…again!
Its such a magical movie isn’t it?