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Film Title: Beauty and the Beast

 Best for ages: 5 & Up

Movie Website: Click Here

Year Released: 2010

Rated: TV-G (US)

The Review

     It was announced a while back that Disney would be bringing Beauty and the Beast to Blu-ray this October.  Having only a VHS copy available to us, the only time my daughter would be able to see the film was at my mother-in-law's house or if we borrowed the tape.  She has a Belle dress that she likes to wear, and it is safe to say that Belle is one of her favorite Disney Princesses. Needless to say, the day the UPS guy delivered the film to our house, she ran out the door to greet him. Not more than two minutes later, Beauty and the Beast was in our Blu-ray player and the months of asking me when we were going to get the disc finally came to and end. Since that day, I have watched Beauty and the Beast about half a dozen times.

     The story is about a young girl named Belle. When her father goes missing, she makes her way up to the Beast’s castle where her father has been taken prisoner. In and effort to free him, she agrees to stay with the Beast forever if he lets her sick father free. He does, and Belle begins her days of living in the castle. However, she is not alone. The Beast's servants have been turned into ordinary everyday household items, such as a clock, a candle and a tea set. Belle learns that the Beast once had been a selfish prince. One day, he was visited by and enchantress who disguised herself as an old hag. When he denied her a place to stay, the enchantress revealed herself and put a curse on him. With this curse, he was given a rose. In order for the curse to be lifted, he must find a woman to fall in love with him before the last petal of the rose falls. As the Beast and Belle begin to grow fond of each other, a local town big head named Gaston is determined to marry Belle, and has set out to kill the Beast.

     Beauty and the Beast was nominated for four Academy Awards and won both music categories for its great original songs and soundtrack.  The focal point that makes this film so special is its music.   The soundtrack and songs easily get stuck in your head and are  expertly produced. However, the music is also accompanied by a truly great well-written story and some of the best Disney animation you will ever lay your eyes on.

     As you may or may not know, this film can at times be violent and scary. The Beast gets angry a lot and does everything from scream and yell to destroying his own belongings. There is also a fight scene between the Beast and Gaston that has a violent ending. So be warned, parents, this may not be a film that you want your younger children to see if they a sensitive to animated violence.   

     The Blu-ray Diamond Edition combo pack includes the film on both Blu-ray and DVD with an extra Blu-ray disc with dozens of special features. Both the DVD and Blu-ray feature three versions of the film newly digitally restored.  There is also Audio Commentary and a Sing-along mode on both discs. The Blu-ray features include some featurettes such as Composing a Classic, Broadway Beginnings and the featurette Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories. There is also an all-new music videos, never-before-seen alternate opening and deleted scenes. There are also two interactive games such as the Enchanted Musical Challenge, and Bonjour, Who Is This? game, where you can use your phone to receive secret messages and guess the players' identities before they guess yours.

     Disney always seems to be outdoing themselves with each film in their back catalog that they restore for Blu-ray. I have probably said it a millions time before, however this time I really mean it. They outdid themselves this time. The   Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray is the best disc I have viewed all year. The restoration is top notch, and well worth buying.

BUY THIS MOVIE.