Average Rating:

Rating : - Solid, but still has some downsides.
Belle is a beautiful young woman, living in a lively French Village. She's the outcast however, because unlike the other women in the town, she prefers to read novels then drool over the town's prized hunter Gaston. Her Father Maurice one day, sets off to take his invention; (A firewood chopper) to a State Fair. But things go wrong when he gets lost in the Woods, and a pack of Wolves hunt after him. Maurice ends up at a beautiful caslte, where servants welcome him in. These aren't ordinary servants however! No! These are enchanted servants; A Clock, A Teapot, Candlestick, and other various things! Maurice is awe struck, but before anything can really happen, the master of the castle, (known in the entire film as the Beast) locks him up in the dungeon for tresspassing in his castle. Meanwhile, the horse that Maurice rode on in the woods has made it's way back to the little Village. Belle, finding the tired horse, realizes that something is wrong for with her father. The Horse takes Belle to the castle, where she runs inside to get him back. It's here where she bargains with the Beast to take her imprisoned father's place at the Castle. The Beast agrees, and Maurice is sent back to the Town. What will happen to Belle in the castle? Will the Beast harm her in anyway? What will Maurice do when he enlists the help of the arrogant Gaston?

Beauty and the Beast is helmed with wonderful characters, such as Belle. Unlike most Disney heroine's, she's not helpless at all. She has a backbone, and can fend for herself. Many times thru the movie she quarrles with the Beast, and shows off her feisty independence. It's great to get such a strong female character, when many women are damsels in films. Paige O'Hara lends her voice and sings for Belle, which adds only more to the magic.

The Beast is a very complex character indeed, when he learn he's enchanted like this servants. Many times in the movie we see him fight with this inner demons and struggle greatly when he realizes he loves Belle. Robby Benson (1970's - 1980's hunk) sings and speaks for the Beast, and again does wonders.

Let's also not forget the cast of hilarious servants! Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and Cogsworth! In true Disney fun they add to the magic and create wonderful funny moments and good songs for kids. But it's really the arrogant, casnaova Gaston that steals the show. With his hilarious one sided love with Belle, to his laugh out loud proposal to her, Gaston is one great character.

The Animation is stunning for something made in the 90's, and even today it still looks good. The songs, (which were nominated for Academy Awards!) are beautiful, and not annoying as many Disney songs are known for. Be Our Guest is a nice little song, Something There pretty little song also, but Beauty and the Beast sung by Angela Lansbury takes the cake.

One thing does annoy me about Beauty and the Beast. Now, I know it's Disney movie, and they can't go and make a three hour movie for kids, but it would have been nice to have the relationship between Belle and the Beast fleshed out a little bit more. Thirty minutes in the movie, after meeting Belle, and the Beast has already fallen for her. It would have been nice to see more romance, more budding friendship then what was provided.

As for questionable material; (for parents) Gaston and his croonies are seen hanging out in a Pub, drinking beer. Three of the towns wenchs who are in love with Gaston wear low cut dresses.The Beast as a angry moment and throws stuff around in his room. There are some scary moments with wolves, and the ending fighting scene between Gaston and the Beast may be scary for some.

All in all, a nice solid animated movie. If the rumors are true, we might see the Broadway version coming to movie threaters!