Jason KingBeauty and the Beast 3D (9/10)
August 30th 2010 09:40
:
One of the best animations of all time
Category: No Category
Beauty and the Beast 3D (9/10)
It would appear I have had a weekend of romantic classics and loved every minute of it. Firstly there was the chance to see Romeo and Juliet again on the bigscreen and the drive-in - sensational - CLICK HERE to read that review and then on Sunday I was kindly invited by Disney to re-visit the splendid and very touching Beauty and the Beast, now in 3D, for a family screening where I could bring another adult and a two kids.
Unfortunately, being childless, or partnerless for that matter, I took my old next door neighbour and her two kids, Fatty Boomba and Stella Bella. We got our popcorn, donned our 3D glasses, and entered the timeless love story of Belle and the Beast.
Beauty and the Beast is magical, sometimes dark, but overly happy and blanketed in the discovery of love. An arrogant and spoilt nobleman and his entire castle are turned into a beast or enchanted into items of the castle for the nobleman looking at external ugliness as a thing of disgust. He is presented with a magical mirror that allows him to look at anything and also a mystical rose. He must find someone to love him the way he looks, to reverse the enchantment before every petal of the rose withers and dies. If he fails to do this he and everything in the castle will remain enchanted.
When this old school animation was released way back in 1992 it made animation cool again and not just for kids. It is not just an animation, it is a theatrical musical brought to life via drawing. From its moment of release the world was smittened and wanted more stories like this. It spawned animation after animation and could be responsible for the abundance of animation these days. Although this film is made old school, people using themselves to draw every frame and not like the majority of animations these day that look spectacular but are all made on a computer.
It was directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. Gary then went on to write The Lion King, direct The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Atlantis and become a story artist in animation for Madagascar. Kirk directed Hunchback and Atlantis with Gary and then went on to produce Homeward Bound and the Disney Nature film Oceans, he was also the Dialogue Director for Spirited Away. The film was flawless and I have no idea how you would direct an animation but they presented a timeless classic that will forever be listed as one of Disney's best. The writing team of many people was led by Linda Woolverton and they have all gone on to write some of the biggest animations Disney has produced.
The film is voiced by a telented bunch of what I consider relative unknowns. These people can not only voice a character well, they can belt out showtunes like seasoned theatre performers. The only name I know in the list of credits is Angela Lansbury as Mrs Potts. Paige O'Hara is the voice behind Belle and her voice is so innocent and melodic you will find it hard not to fall in love with her. Robbie Benson is the voice of the Beast and Richard White, who has only ever voiced Gaston, in this film and other TV shows, is just superb. When I was saw the live musical of Beauty and The Beast I had the privilege of seeing Hugh Jackman as Gaston and he lived up to White's Gaston with perfection. Gaston is the town jock, the hunting legend and the man all the women want, although Gaston loves himself more than any other person and wants Belle for himself, at any cost. He brings plenty of comic relief to the film.
The 3D in the re-release is very subtle, and while spectacular in many scenes I think a few people maybe disappointed in it. There is no gimmicky 3D which I like but some people may believe they are missing out on their monies worth. If that is the case, then boo to them. Myself and everyone who sees this film should just be elated to see it all unfold again on a big screen in a flawless digital presenttion with 3D sprinkled on top.
This is a family film and a great way to introduce a new young generation to the tale. It would also be a great film to take first timers too as it is only 80min without the credits, plus if the kids don't love it I can guarantee you will. Out this Thursday and worth an easy 9 out of 10.
It would appear I have had a weekend of romantic classics and loved every minute of it. Firstly there was the chance to see Romeo and Juliet again on the bigscreen and the drive-in - sensational - CLICK HERE to read that review and then on Sunday I was kindly invited by Disney to re-visit the splendid and very touching Beauty and the Beast, now in 3D, for a family screening where I could bring another adult and a two kids.
Unfortunately, being childless, or partnerless for that matter, I took my old next door neighbour and her two kids, Fatty Boomba and Stella Bella. We got our popcorn, donned our 3D glasses, and entered the timeless love story of Belle and the Beast.
Beauty and the Beast is magical, sometimes dark, but overly happy and blanketed in the discovery of love. An arrogant and spoilt nobleman and his entire castle are turned into a beast or enchanted into items of the castle for the nobleman looking at external ugliness as a thing of disgust. He is presented with a magical mirror that allows him to look at anything and also a mystical rose. He must find someone to love him the way he looks, to reverse the enchantment before every petal of the rose withers and dies. If he fails to do this he and everything in the castle will remain enchanted.
When this old school animation was released way back in 1992 it made animation cool again and not just for kids. It is not just an animation, it is a theatrical musical brought to life via drawing. From its moment of release the world was smittened and wanted more stories like this. It spawned animation after animation and could be responsible for the abundance of animation these days. Although this film is made old school, people using themselves to draw every frame and not like the majority of animations these day that look spectacular but are all made on a computer.
It was directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. Gary then went on to write The Lion King, direct The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Atlantis and become a story artist in animation for Madagascar. Kirk directed Hunchback and Atlantis with Gary and then went on to produce Homeward Bound and the Disney Nature film Oceans, he was also the Dialogue Director for Spirited Away. The film was flawless and I have no idea how you would direct an animation but they presented a timeless classic that will forever be listed as one of Disney's best. The writing team of many people was led by Linda Woolverton and they have all gone on to write some of the biggest animations Disney has produced.
The film is voiced by a telented bunch of what I consider relative unknowns. These people can not only voice a character well, they can belt out showtunes like seasoned theatre performers. The only name I know in the list of credits is Angela Lansbury as Mrs Potts. Paige O'Hara is the voice behind Belle and her voice is so innocent and melodic you will find it hard not to fall in love with her. Robbie Benson is the voice of the Beast and Richard White, who has only ever voiced Gaston, in this film and other TV shows, is just superb. When I was saw the live musical of Beauty and The Beast I had the privilege of seeing Hugh Jackman as Gaston and he lived up to White's Gaston with perfection. Gaston is the town jock, the hunting legend and the man all the women want, although Gaston loves himself more than any other person and wants Belle for himself, at any cost. He brings plenty of comic relief to the film.
The 3D in the re-release is very subtle, and while spectacular in many scenes I think a few people maybe disappointed in it. There is no gimmicky 3D which I like but some people may believe they are missing out on their monies worth. If that is the case, then boo to them. Myself and everyone who sees this film should just be elated to see it all unfold again on a big screen in a flawless digital presenttion with 3D sprinkled on top.
This is a family film and a great way to introduce a new young generation to the tale. It would also be a great film to take first timers too as it is only 80min without the credits, plus if the kids don't love it I can guarantee you will. Out this Thursday and worth an easy 9 out of 10.
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