THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Not many people would think that an animated film would have the same quality as any ordinary live action film. That opinion almost disappeared in 1991 when Walt Disney Pictures adapted the 1756 fairy tail, Beauty and the Beast.
PLOT
The animated film follows Belle (Paige O’Hara) who is looked at as an outsider because of her independent-minded attitude. She even refuses to marry the narcissistic hunter Gaston (Richard White). When her father Maurice (Rex Everhart) goes out of town, he is chased away by wolves but resides in an ancient castle. Punished for trespassing, he is imprisoned by the castle’s master, a Beast (Robby Benson). The beast was once a prince (credited as Adam) and gained this monstrous form for dismissing an enchantress. His house servants also suffered by becoming household objects. The only way the curse can be broken is if the prince can learn to love someone and earn her love in return until an enchanted rose is completely bloomed. Belle goes to search for her father when his horse returns without him. She finds the castle, then finds her father in a dungeon. When she meets the Beast, she offers to take his place. When Maurice warns the town, they do not believe him. Gaston and his sidekick LeFou (Jesse Corti) use this as an advantage. They plan to blackmail Belle by sending her father to an asylum if she doesn’t accept Gaston’s marriage proposal. At the castle, Belle befriends with the castle’s servants: Lumiere (Jerry Orbach), a matre’d who’s a candelabra, Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers), the head of the household staff who’s a clock, Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury), the cook who’s a teapot, and her teacup son Chip (Bradley Pierce). She makes the mistake entering the west wing where she discovers the rose. Enraged, the Beast scares her into fleeing the castle. She encounters wolves but he saves her from the pack. He is injured in the process, but Belle stays and nurses him. After this, both of them bond overtime which creates a friendship. After sharing a romantic dance, Belle still worries of her father. With the use of a magic mirror, she discovers Maurice collapsing in the woods searching for her. Out of love, the Beast releases her to save him. When she returns home with her father, Gaston's plan then moves forward. He tells her the deal but she proves Maurice’s sanity by showing the Beast to the town with the mirror. Gaston then plans to lead a mob made up of the town to kill him, in order to have Belle for himself. The castle's servants fend off the castle against the mob and Gaston attacks the Beast before Belle catches up to intervene. He does defend himself against his new foe and spares his life, but when he rushes himself to her, he is stabbed from behind by Gaston, who ends up falling to his death. Belle confesses her love to him before the last petal of the rose falls. This breaks the curse and the Beast returns to his human form while his servants return to normal as well. The film ends some time later, both protagonists host a ball for the kingdom, as they dance to their happily ever after.
THOUGHTS
Since I was born at a point where the Renaissance Era was ready to conclude, making this part of the many films to watch on a loop as a child, I still love it to this day. Looking back, what makes this film so intriguing as it was in 1991, is that we truly appreciate the surreal chemistry between both characters. Unlike other fairy tail adaptations, it feels like the story really does take time with the romance. The dynamic between both leads is amazing to this day because they represent how loving someone for who they are inside is more important than outside, value inward characteristics more than physical appearances. The fact that an animated story nails such an important theme to this day is incredible. Belle is highly likable because despite wanting more in life before her story progresses, she is actually happy with how her life is without a man besides her father, proving don't always need to get married to find happiness. She expresses that independence is never and if you don’t find a significant other, that does not mean you’re not living your life. Hearing the reprise of 'Belle' is so pleasant to hear because it accurately describes how there is more to value in life than settling down. The Beast/Prince shows that even someone who looks monstrous outside can have a big heart inside. Seeing how he goes from hostile to compassionate shows that even the troubled find a way to change. The best thing about both characters is how they both save each other from death. Beast saves Belle from the Wolfpack and she helps him recover from the wounds of that conflict, while also breaking the curse before it was too late. That all showed that they were meant to be. I enjoy hearing the movie's titular song because when it plays during their iconic dance, not only is the animation is at its finest, but you feel the love strongly develop between both leads. Gaston is an interesting villain because can be looked at as someone who's supposed to get the girl so when he becomes ruthless to get what he wants, you will loathe him instantly. His titular song has us convinced how cool he is, but then 'The Mob Song' reminds us that he ain't so cool at all. So when he dies, it's hard to sympathize because he just had it coming. Lumiere always made smile because he was truly the most kind hearted and courteous. Cogsworth caught my eye because the fear of his master made him the most uptight of the staff. Thankfully, he becomes courageous when fighting the mob. Mrs. Potts is memorable because besides being a loving mother to her son Chip, she was nurturing and sympathetic to both sides of the future couple. Like Lumiere, she helped as much as she could to save their master. Speaking of Chip, he was entertaining to see due to being the most adventurous of the group. He was even brave enough to leave the castle and help Belle break from captivity Gaston placed her and her dad in. I always enjoy listening to 'Be Our Guest' because they get to show Belle that they always find a way to find joy whatever the circumstances. This movie without a doubt live up to being a tale as old as time but after all the praise, there’s still some flaws I can’t shut up about. First off, I cringe at how the mirror prologue shows a thunderstorm when the narrator claims it was a snowstorm when the Prince turned down the Enchantress. If that isn’t a continuity error, I don’t know what is. It is badass to see Gaston shoot a goose near town but he should’ve been hunting in the woods. I don’t care how popular he’s supposed to be, you’re making a risk wherever you’re aiming that musket. I respect Lumiere being hospitable to Maurice but he of all people should know it is a bad idea letting him sit in the Beast’s chair. If you want someone to get comfortable, pick anywhere but your master’s favorite chair. I also found it weird how Maurice goes to one place in town to ask for help, but doesn’t try anywhere else and gives up quick. Was everyone in the saloon? I have a hard time believing that. What blows my mind even more is that not only did Phillipe remember the route to the castle but was outside the entire time Belle was inside until Beast’s outburst. Who was feeding that horse? If the staff offered it apples to stay, I’d like to see that. Why does Belle still go to the West Wing when three people told her it’s forbidden? Beast, Lumiere and Cogsworth all said not to go but if they wanted to ensure she’d listen, one of them should’ve just said it’s Beast’s room and she’d likely respect the privacy off of that. I know without her curiosity the plot wouldn’t advance but they could’ve tried harder keeping her away from the West Wing. Also, I know Lumiere is excited for his master to be in love but how does he forget that someone has to love him back? I mean for someone who had been hoping for the curse to be broken more than the whole staff, it is out of character for him to forget. And lastly, I am not the only one annoyed on how Belle looks at the Prince when reverted back to human form. I mean the guy changed in front of her, she shouldn’t doubt it’s him. Ignore all of this and I’m highly positive you’ll still love this film for what it is. In short, this version of Beauty and the Beast by Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale has been so entertaining because it truly is as timeless as the titular song describes it to be, truly enjoyable for what it is. With that being said, it really is one of the best of the genre and is recommended for those who love a love story as unique as this.
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