Film Reviews

Beauty and the Beast 3D

• Rating:
• Director: Gary Trousdale
• Starring: Richard White
• Details: US/85mins G

Another classic Disney tale gets the 3D treatment; a format which most of the cinema going public are failing to warm too even in productions they've never seen before. The charm ultimately shines through and the younger ones (especially the little girls) will find plenty here to enjoy.
Our heroine is Belle, who offers herself to the titular beast in exchange for her father. The Beast has hidden depths and Belle pilfers said depths as the two fall in love amidst much comic tomfoolery from objects masquerading as characters.
It's crazy to think that hand drawn animation is now a form of cinematic execution that's firmly in the past. Granted, when Pixar are churning out classic after classic the form of filmmaking used is really peripheral to the quality of the script and warmth of the characters. What Beauty and the Beast has is warmth and charm in utter abundance and it's one of those Disney classics that's bound to be revisited again and again in home viewing format.
However, paying premium bucks to see it in 3D is another thing entirely. The film doesn't need it and it's simply and add-on and an excuse to make money. Universal, and especially Fox, are two other studios that will shamelessly release films again and again, so it's nothing new but still cheeky.
A charming and delightful production - that you can watch at home on DVD for free.