How we arrived at our grades...

This timeless classic is brought to the animated screen in a multiple Academy Award winning film. Belle, the daughter of a tireless inventor, is not the type to be happy with just any man. The avid bookworm dreams of a romantic hero, and is not much impressed by the local most eligible bachelor, Gaston. However, her good looks have prompted this vainglorious town bully to announce his intentions for marriage.

Meanwhile, a business excursion leads Dad into a dangerous magical forest. Narrowly escaping attacking wolves, the distraught designer finds himself in graver danger within the fortress where he has taken refuge. When Belle hears that her father has been taken prisoner by a hideous beast, she sets off to rescue him. But the creature will only release the man if the maiden will take his place. Putting aside her freedom and hopes for the future, the selfless girl agrees.

While the agitated parent tries (without much success) to get help from the pride-wounded Gaston and the villagers, Belle settles into her captivity. Fortunately the castle's enchanted furniture and dishes are far more hospitable than her host. The amicable bunch secretly hopes the young woman may be the one to break a horrible spell that binds them. The biggest obstacle they all face is the Beast's bad manners.

Parents of young children should be aware that the hairy main character appears very frightening at times, as do the vicious biting wolves. Attempts to lighten the mood by including a loud-mouthed boasting villain--who constantly beats upon his sidekick--only add more annoyance than humour. The stereotypical depiction of a womanizing Frenchman may also cause brief concern.

These faults are overshadowed by superb animation (which successfully simulates the camera work found in live action films) and an exceptional score (even if the story lags a little during the "Be Our Guest" sequence that serves only as a technical showpiece). Beauty And The Beast also demonstrates the value of loyalty and sacrifice, and the need for looking beneath the surface of people to appreciate the qualities found within.

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Did you know this film can also be seen on an 8-story-screen? Read Kerry's Big Picture article titled Beauty And The Beast - Their IMAX Big Screen Debut for more details.

Making The Grades...

The MPAA rated Beauty And The Beast (1993) G.

Overall: A-
The fairytale comes alive when bookish but beautiful Belle trades her own life to free her father from the castle of a horrible monster. During the course of her imprisonment, the beast begins to warm to the young woman's gentleness, increasing the hopes that the spell that turned a once handsome prince into an ugly creature may be broken. But matters are complicated when the conceited Gaston decides to marry Belle, and no man or beast can stop him.

Violence: B
Character put under magical spell. Character hit on chin by wagon. Man with gun shoots and kills duck. Character repeatedly hits, slaps, pushes and tosses his sidekick throughout the film. Character throws book in puddle. Explosion heard, smoke billows from house. Man hit in head with log. Characters travel through scary forest. Wolves stalk characters and nearly chase them over cliff. Frightened horse rears and throws rider. Character tumbles down incline. Wolves chase man and grab his leg. Several scenes depict ominous looking castle. Characters dropped and shaken. Character falls down stairs. Man's finger pinched. Loud growling heard. Man grabbed by neck, thrown into prison cell. Extended scene depicts characters roughhousing in bar. Man falls in puddle. Man hit on head with object. Character grabbed by beast. Character spits, punches others and shoots gun in tavern. Man thrown outside on cold winter night. Character scared by another. Character angrily beats on door. Door slammed. Character knocked into pot. Characters briefly scuffle. Character growls loudly and knocks over furniture. Horse falls through ice into water. Characters attacked by wolves: one character injured with some blood shown. Wolf appears to be killed. Man hit on face with beer mug. Man held by collar and thrown in snow bank. Character snapped with towel and falls in bucket. Sick character shown in forest. Character incites crowd to attack another with pitchforks, guns, swords, knives and axes. Haystack set on fire. Characters locked in cellar. Men beat down door with large log. Extended scene of battle between characters. Scissors, fire, knives, hot tea, etc., used as weapons. Character shoots another in back with bow and arrow. Character thrown through glass window. Characters fight with club. Character's life threatened. Man stabs character in back with knife, some blood shown. Character falls to death. Character apparently dies from injuries. Characters scuffle and exchange blows.

Sexual Content: A-
Several female characters wear off-shoulder gowns. Man makes advances toward woman on at least three occasions. Naked beast towels off after bath. Kissing heard behind curtain. Character sings about his ability to cause husbands alarm by luring their wives. Man shown dressed in bra and slip. Couple kisses. Man pursues female character.

Language: A
Some name calling used.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B
Characters shown with beer mugs in tavern on several occasions. Character offers man another beer because he is upset. Alcoholic beverages may be present in wedding reception scene.

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Rod Gustafson

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