It's academic Pop Art, overblown but zestless, a cartoon cathedral with all the spiritual feeling of a Little Golden Book.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:56
Fresh:52
Rotten:4
Average Rating:8.1/10
Consensus: Enchanting, sweepingly romantic, and featuring plenty of wonderful musical numbers, Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most elegant animated offerings.
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Childrens
US Box Office: $25,067,730
Synopsis: Once upon a time, there was a handsome but heartless prince, whose selfishness caused an enchantress to turn him into a hideous beast. He had only one hope for freedom: winning a woman's love... Once upon a time, there was a handsome but heartless prince, whose selfishness caused an enchantress to turn him into a hideous beast. He had only one hope for freedom: winning a woman's love despite his ugliness. The years passed; the Beast remained alone. Then one day, Maurice, a poor inventor, accidentally stumbled upon the Beast's lair. The angry Beast instantly swore to kill him -- until he saw Belle, Maurice's lovely daughter, who had come to to the palace to fight for her father's life. The Beast promised not to harm Maurice on one condition: Belle must stay with him. And so began Belle's lesson in the true meaning of beauty... a lesson that would bring her love and happiness ever after. [More]
Starring: Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach
Starring: Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers
Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Reviews for Beauty and the Beast
This isn't merely the best of the princess features; it's very close to being the best Disney movie of them all.
It is a surprise, in a time of sequels and retreads, that the new film is so fresh and altogether triumphant in its own right.
Despite some excessive narrative streamlining, this 1991 release was the best Disney animated feature in years, full of charm and humor.
A dramatic, comic, exciting, suspenseful, joyous, and robustly magical adventure that has the bracing feel of a 3-D movie at times and approaches sensory overload.
A uniquely elegant and entertaining mix of hand-drawn classicism and high-tech innovation.
Some of the film's ideas, which are both campy and subtle, may not be kids' stuff, but like all good movies, Disney's enchanting fairy tale operates on many different levels and thus can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.
Has a power to enchant that all the flying monsters and magic broom rides in the world can't touch.
She falls for a hot-tempered manimal, but is it any coincidence that he showers her with gifts the whole time?
The artistry of the animators, who combined traditional painting with computer-generated images, stands up to the best that the Disney empire ever produced.
...filled with charm, wit, romance, humor, and plenty of songs and music.
The tale's as old as time, but Beauty and the Beast has gotten somewhat banal.
Latest News for Beauty and the Beast
September 14, 2009:
The 3D footage screened actually looked pretty cool, not jarring or 'forced,' which puts it in line with most of the Disney Digital 3D we've seen thus far. ![]()
More...
December 09, 2008:
Don Hahn Talks 3-D Beauty and the Beast ![]()
In an interview with /Film's David Chen, "Beauty and the Beast" producer Don Hahn delved into the reasons -- and the methodology -- behind Disney's upcoming 3-D reissue of the... More...
November 19, 2008:
Disney Plans 3-D Beauty and the Beast ![]()
Disney has added "Beauty and the Beast" to its list of features slated to receive its digital 3-D treatment, announcing plans to re-render the original film for a 2010 release. More...
August 29, 2008:
Disney Classics Begin Blu-ray Migration ![]()
Good news, Blu-ray owners: you too will soon be able to purchase limited edition "Platinum Collection" versions of Disney titles, including "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,"... More...
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